Fastbreak AI got the bag.
The Charlotte-based sports operations software company has secured $40M in Series A funding.
The new investment will be directed toward expansion in the youth sports market and the growth of Fastbreak Compete, an all-in-one platform for amateur sports operators.
“We’ve shown what’s possible by setting a new standard of innovation in professional sports, and now we’re bringing that same momentum to amateur sports,” Fastbreak AI CEO John Stewart said. “This funding fuels our work across both levels of the game, accelerating innovation in pro sports while building the connected infrastructure youth sports has long needed. Our focus is on eliminating time spent on logistics to empower sports organizations to create amazing experiences for players, fans and families.”
Fastbreak builds schedules for the MLS, NBA, NHL, Serie A — Italy’s top-flight soccer league — and over 50 other leagues worldwide. It has also begun working with youth sports governing bodies and organizations.
Fastbreak Compete creates schedules, but also manages communications, registration, team travel, ticketing and on-site event operations.
John will be an upcoming guest on our podcast - we recorded it a couple of weeks ago - and these clips should give you an idea of HOW BIG he is thinking:
A roster of the glossy — and diversified names connected to the raise:
Firms: Greycroft and GTMfund
Leagues: NBA, NHL and TMRW Sports
Pro athletes: Patrick Cantlay, Larry Fitzgerald Jr., Kurt Kitayama and Luke Kuechly
This is a MASSIVE fundraising round. In terms of Series A in youth sports that we can find, it trails only Hudl’s $72.5 million round in 2015.
Here’s are quick highlights of larger rounds (not Series A):
LOVB (League One Volleyball) $100M (Nov 2024) to scale its club-to-pro model.
Unrivaled Sports $120M (May 2025) across youth facilities/events.
Snap! Mobile (Snap Raise) $90M (2021) in high-school activities fintech.
Veo $80M Series C (2022), AI video cameras used widely in youth.
Pixellot $161M Series D (2022), automated youth/HS streaming.
Big time stuff.
I’m just gonna be honest here— I’ve talked to many people in the space, but John is the one who left me thinking: That guy’s gonna be a billionaire.
He’s done this before— sold his last company, MapAnything, to SalesForce for $250 million.
Maybe I’m wrong. There are lots of practical reasons why accomplishing the dominant market position Fastbreak thinks it can get will be difficult or downright impossible. But there is sort of a speed and force with which they seem to be running that really jumps out… almost like a fastbreak.*
*Thanks, I’m here all week. Be sure to tip your waiters buy an ad.
🤳 Follow Buying Sandlot on Social
We’re new— help us build up our social media accounts by following along: