Rec Secures $11M Series A Led by Crosslink Capital, with Athlete Investors

Rec, a technology company supporting the parks and recreation industry, has secured $11 million in a Series A funding round, as reported by Forbes. The investment was spearheaded by venture capital firm Crosslink Capital, with participation from existing investors NFX, Precursor Ventures, and Long Journey Ventures. Marquee Ventures, a subsidiary of the Chicago Cubs, also joined as a new investor. This funding round follows Rec's $6.2 million seed round concluded last year. Co-founded by former Uber colleagues Birju Kadakia and Rachel Williams, Rec provides software and a mobile application to streamline processes for individuals enrolling in sports classes and booking facilities. The platform also simplifies inquiry management for recreation directors. Prominent athletes who invested in this round include Kevin Durant (Houston Rockets forward), Kelvin Beachum (Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman), Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana, and former All-Pro wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. Larry Fitzgerald articulated his personal investment rationale, drawing from his own childhood experiences with recreation centers and his awareness of their operational complexities. He highlighted technology's capacity to address challenges such as understaffing. "You go to these places, and they’re drastically understaffed," Fitzgerald commented. "And you’re like, ‘Man, this could easily be solved with some tech solutions.’"