A new player led by youth sports industry veterans has secured $16.5 million in seed funding to overhaul the fragmented youth sports tech market. Otto Sport AI aims to replace outdated manual workflows with “agentic” AI tools designed for leagues, coaches, and families.
Aiming to disrupt a youth sports market where families invest an estimated $30 to $40 billion (€25.83 to €34.44 billion) annually, Minneapolis-based startup Otto Sport AI announced Thursday it has raised $16.5 million (€14.21 million) in seed funding. The round was co-led by Mamba Growth Equity and Rally Ventures.
The company plans to use the capital to accelerate the development of its next-generation platform and expand its “Athlete Intelligence” (AI) Lab, a specialized division focused on delivering “agentic,” purpose-built tools for youth clubs, leagues, and tournaments.
A pivot toward automation
While the youth sports sector is thriving, it remains notoriously reliant on legacy software and manual workflows. Otto Sport AI’s core offering is an “intelligent operating system” designed to centralize tasks spanning club management, league operations, ticketing, and athlete recruitment.
A centerpiece of their current momentum is Otto Pilot, an AI-powered chat assistant that reduces administrative workload by learning from an organization’s website and internal knowledge base. Following a successful beta test with early adopters, including Ocala Power United Volleyball, the tool will now be included in the company’s product suite and offered as a standalone product.
Veteran leadership
The startup’s pedigree is a significant factor in its launch. Co-founder and CEO Luke Zaientz, the former CEO of Reigning Champs, leads a team composed of veterans from category-defining companies including SportsEngine, TeamSnap, NCSA and FloSports.
“Our mission is to harness the immense power of AI while creating technology experiences that feel human and empathetic – like a great coach,” Luke Zaientz said. He noted that the company is moving to solve “real problems at a pace this industry has not seen.”
The road ahead
The funding comes at a time when organizations are struggling with disconnected systems that create a fragmented experience for families. Throughout 2026, Otto Sport AI intends to roll out further integrations and AI-driven features, positioning itself as a modern alternative for organizations operating at every level of competitive play.
About Otto Sport AI
Minneapolis-based Otto Sport AI is a sports technology developer specializing in “Athlete Intelligence” (AI) to modernize youth athletics. The company provides a unified operating system designed to replace the fragmented, manual workflows traditionally used by amateur leagues and clubs. By integrating intelligent automation into daily operations—from registration and ticketing to parent communication—the platform allows administrators and coaches to reduce their “behind-the-desk” workload. Otto Sport AI is positioned as a next-generation solution for the professionalization of youth sports, focusing on removing operational friction to create a more seamless experience for families and sports organizations alike.
Visit: Otto Sport AI
