In this episode of The Next Next, Jason Jacobs sits down with Matt Wheeler and Chris Meade, co-founders of SportsRecruits. The company connects millions of high school athletes with college coaches, helping them find the right fit for their athletic and academic future. Matt and Chris share their entrepreneurial journey, starting from their days at Wesleyan University where they played lacrosse, to identifying inefficiencies in the sports recruiting process, and eventually founding SportsRecruits. They discuss the initial challenges, including their early model of filming lacrosse events and transitioning to a scalable digital platform. They reveal the company's scaling through partnerships with clubs and events, leading to a significant growth in user base. Furthermore, they highlight the company's recent acquisition by IMG Academy, aiming to deliver more value in the increasingly complex recruiting landscape. Beyond business, the conversation also touches on personal experiences and philosophies concerning youth sports, player development, and parenting.
00:00 Introduction to SportsRecruits
00:40 Founders' Background and Early Challenges
01:23 Transition to Digital and Business Scaling
01:44 Recent Acquisition and Future Vision
02:03 Reconnecting and Reflecting on the Journey
02:26 Welcome to the Show: Matt and Chris
03:26 Early Career Paths and Initial Business Idea
03:52 First Steps and Initial Struggles
07:14 Breakthrough Moment and Business Model Shift
17:59 Expansion into Other Sports
22:05 The Role of Clubs in Recruiting
28:21 Challenges and Successes in Scaling
34:42 The Importance of Technology in Recruiting
35:57 Defense vs. Offense in Club Marketing
36:53 The Role of SportsRecruits in Club Success
39:29 The Impact of AI and Future Prospects
40:39 Transitioning to Software and Funding Challenges
44:51 Acquisition by IMG Academy
55:57 Balancing Parenting and Youth Sports
01:06:01 Reflections on the Journey and Final Thoughts
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