In the ever-evolving landscape of college sports, a significant transformation is underway, driven by innovative technologies aimed at modernizing the recruitment process. At the forefront of this shift is Scorability, a sports tech platform that recently secured $40 million in funding to enhance its recruiting dashboard designed for coaches and staff. This funding round was led by Bluestone Equity Partners, with notable participation from sports merchandising giant Fanatics, and included contributions from other investors such as Luther King Capital Management and returning partners like Silverton Partners and Next Coast Ventures. To date, Scorability has raised a total of $51 million.
Founded in 2023 by Brian Cruver, who brings a wealth of experience as the founder of two billion-dollar companies, Scorability was born out of a personal journey. Cruver’s frustration with the “broken system” of college recruiting, particularly during the recruitment of his son, now a quarterback at Florida Atlantic University, fueled his determination to create a more streamlined and transparent process. “Think of it as LinkedIn Premium for the sports recruiting world,” Cruver explained, emphasizing the platform’s aim to simplify the recruiting journey for both parents and athletes.
The impetus for Scorability’s development aligns closely with recent changes in the college athletics sphere, notably the NCAA’s $2.28 billion antitrust settlement that opened the door for student-athletes to receive compensation for their contributions. With over 550,000 student-athletes competing across nearly 20,000 teams in the upcoming academic year, the recruitment landscape is more competitive than ever. The increase in player mobility, particularly through the transfer portal, has underscored the urgent need for effective recruiting tools.
Scorability’s platform stands out by offering a comprehensive suite of features that allows college coaches to evaluate potential recruits efficiently. With an impressive database of 1.2 million athletes and support from 3,000 college sports programs, Scorability consolidates school transcripts, stats, and highlight reels into a single, user-friendly interface. This capability is particularly beneficial for coaches who often travel extensively to scout talent. As Shannon Dawson, the offensive coordinator at the University of Miami, noted, “With the way our calendar is, we don’t have a lot of time to make these decisions.”
The practical applications of Scorability are already evident in several prestigious institutions, including the University of Miami, Texas Christian University, Florida Atlantic University, and the University of Pennsylvania. Coaches from these programs have lauded the platform for alleviating the burdens of data collection and analysis. Bob Benson, the associate head coach and defensive coordinator at the University of Pennsylvania, remarked, “Scorability is attractive to Penn because they do all the legwork for us, collecting all the measurables, insights, and coach evaluations.”
Moreover, the platform is designed to be accessible; it is free for parents and athletes, while college athletic programs pay between $10,000 and $40,000 annually for varying levels of access. This economic model not only facilitates widespread adoption but also positions Scorability as a vital player in the multi-billion dollar recruiting market. As Bobby Sharma, founder of Bluestone Equity Partners, put it, “This is a problem solver on both ends of the market for something that’s increasingly economically important.”
In a time where the intersection of technology and sports is growing, Scorability exemplifies how innovative solutions can address longstanding challenges in college athletics. By streamlining the recruiting process and providing critical insights, the platform is not just reshaping how coaches find talent, but also ensuring that the hopes and dreams of aspiring athletes are supported by a system that values transparency and efficiency. As the college sports landscape continues to evolve, tools like Scorability will play an increasingly pivotal role in shaping the future of recruitment.
