Coach's Journal

CrewLAB raises over $1.6M to democratize data & technology for endurance sports teams

Written by CrewLAB | Feb 21, 2024 12:09:22 AM

CrewLAB raises over $1.6M to democratize data & technology for endurance sports teams

CrewLAB is for everyday rowing, swimming, running, and cycling teams (and their national teams). 

MARINA DEL REY, Ca. — CrewLAB, a team sports management platform, raised over $1.6M in a nearly 200% oversubscribed funding round led by top-tier venture capitalist Scott Sandell, Chairman and CEO of the leading firm New Enterprise Associates with participation from many others including Manning Ventures and existing angel investors.

Trusted by over 6,000 athletes and coaches across multiple countries and sports, CrewLAB is quickly becoming the #1 sports team management system that "turns average teams into unstoppable crews." It's a shared digital team space to unite athletes and a set of tools to give coaches an edge.  

"There is a massive opportunity for coaches and athletes to leverage tech to improve not only performance but also the athlete experience, " said Pat Manning, Olympic Silver medalist and Head of Manning Ventures. It's CrewLAB's purpose to level up teams and the coaches that lead them.

"CrewLAB solves problems that have stood the test of time... helping your teammates, maximising performance, and improving the outcomes of all the efforts that go into training," said 3-time Olympic Champion and investor, Drew Ginn.

This CrewLAB advantage is evident with several of their partner teams celebrating "best-in-10-years" performances and first-ever national championships. Tom Sanford, Head Rowing Coach from Marist University shared that “CrewLAB brought back the joy of coaching. My team is fundamentally better… better conversations, better relationships, stronger culture.”

CrewLAB is now free to start by anyone on the team.

"With fresh capital, Olympian advisors, industry-leading partners, and a boatload of feedback from our hyper-engaged base of coaches, we're going to change the game for our teams," said CrewLAB founder & CEO, Dominic Pardini. "Look out for big upgrades in the product and a lot of utility for free!"
 

And to that end, CrewLAB is hiring engineers, designers, digital marketers, and salespeople. Take a look at open roles or reach out to careers@crewlab.io if you’re interested in joining the Crew.

About CrewLAB
CrewLAB is a sports technology startup on a mission to champion lifelong enjoyment and achievement in sports. This purpose dates back to the founders' transformative experience competing around the world as captains and coaches of the UCLA Rowing Team

Contact
Dominic Pardini, Founder & CEO, dominic@crewlab.io

Founders Dominic Pardini (stroke), Tim Maytom (7 seat), David Kerns (3 seat)

 

What our investors have to say

Scott Sandell, CEO of New Enterprise Associates

"Having heard the world's top startup pitches, I believe mission-driven companies like CrewLAB outperform the rest.

I invested because there's a big market that I love and am convinced this team can executive their vision to meaningfully impact millions of athletes.

I am thrilled to be part of this crew."

Scott Sandell Announcement

 

 

Drew Ginn, OLY, OAM (3x Olympic Champion)

“I have loved connecting with Simon and Dominic from CrewLAB and am absolutely bought in on where they are taking this coaching and athlete platform.

I believe that CrewLAB solves problems that have stood the test of time... helping your teammates, maximising performance, and improving the outcomes of all the efforts that go into training.

At the heart of this venture is a care for the coach and athlete relationship. The flow of information, learning, tracking progress and improved performance is the magical concoction that will help coaches and athletes find their advantage.” 

 

Rich Cacioppo, Executive Director of USRowing

"This collaboration with CrewLAB is a strategic step to enrich our member organizations. Their focus on the coach experience and athlete retention – backed by a robust platform – is a perfect match with our priority to help our member organizations sustain and grow."

USRowing x CrewLAB Partnership

 

Pat Manning, OLY, MBA, Bain Partner, SportsTech VC

"There is a massive opportunity for coaches and athletes to leverage tech to improve not only performance but also the athlete experience. If it keeps developing at its current pace, I am confident that CrewLAB can make a material difference to the sport of rowing and similar sports. I look forward to helping the CrewLAB team!”

 

Derek Callow, CMO (YouTube, Bumble, Google, Fair.com)

“I am extremely excited and impressed by what the team has done so far, and humbled to help them in the future. I love the intersection of performance data and community to drive forward rowing growth and enjoyment.”

 

CrewLAB Origin Story

The company is on a mission to champion lifelong enjoyment and achievement in sports.

CrewLAB's purpose dates back to their transformative experience competing around the world as captains and coaches of the UCLA Rowing Team.

The Bruin founders Dominic Pardini ('18), Simon Hoadley (coach 2016 - 2019), David Kerns ('17), Peter Frederick ('19), Johnson Chou ('20), Mitchell Sutter ('24), and Tim Maytom ('15) were shaped by UCLA sports culture, the legacy of John Wooden and a powerful alumni network to grasp the deep meaning of sports and their pivotal role in the development of young people.

Out of the Startup UCLA incubator program, where they got their first investment, they were able to develop the first version of the product. They coaxed some friendly coaches to give it a try, got referrals to more, and worked their way up to have a presence all over the country.