GRAET, a San Francisco-based sports tech company, is transforming the global athletic recruitment landscape with a platform built to empower the next generation of athletes. Launched in Europe and now backed by top venture capital firms such as Kaya, Miton, and their new investor Inovia Capital , GRAET has quickly established itself as a dynamic presence in the sports technology sector. The company is creating what it calls the “LinkedIn for sports,” giving athletes unprecedented control over their career narratives through a digital ecosystem that emphasizes visibility, data-driven decision-making, and accessibility.
Unlike traditional sports recruitment platforms that primarily serve college coaches or agents, GRAET was designed from the ground up with the athlete in mind. The platform allows users—predominantly youth athletes—to create personalized digital profiles where they can display stats, video highlights, and achievements. These profiles can be discovered by scouts, teams, and agents across the world, facilitating global career opportunities without the traditional barriers of geography, cost, or access to exclusive networks.
The platform has rapidly scaled to over 75,000 active users, with early traction in elite hockey academies and clubs across Europe and North America. By focusing initially on hockey, a sport with deep international roots and a complex scouting ecosystem, GRAET was able to prove the value of its offering before preparing to expand into additional team sports. This expansion strategy is rooted in scalability and a clear demand among families and athletes looking for modern recruitment tools.
“What we’re building is the future of sports exposure,” said Daniela Hope, Chief Marketing Officer of GRAET. “We’ve created a product that feels familiar to young people—mobile-first, visual, and interactive—while addressing real career needs. Athletes can take charge of their journey, and families can support them without needing expensive intermediaries.”
The GRAET app integrates features commonly seen on social media platforms with the rigor and reliability expected from professional recruitment tools. This hybrid approach—reminiscent of LinkedIn’s professional networking combined with TikTok’s user engagement—positions the platform as an innovative solution in a space that has seen little disruption. Athletes are no longer reliant on third-party consultants or expensive agencies to be seen. Instead, they gain access to a network that rewards talent, consistency, and self-promotion in an authentic and measurable way.
One of the company’s most notable achievements was raising $400,000 in pre-seed funding based on the founding team’s initial concept alone. This early investment supported the development of a lean, high-impact product that has since resonated with thousands of users globally. The team’s ability to convert concept into traction, and traction into sustained growth, underscores the demand for athlete-first technology in a market dominated by legacy systems.
While competitors typically monetize through subscriptions aimed at institutions or families, GRAET is focused on reducing financial barriers to access. By flipping the monetization model and prioritizing the user experience, the company ensures that even athletes without resources or established connections can be discovered. The platform’s intuitive design and affordability reflect its core mission: to democratize access to opportunity.
“Every player, no matter where they come from, should have a real shot at being seen,” said Hope. “We’re not just building a tool; we’re building a global movement to rewrite what recruitment looks like.”
The shift toward athlete-owned career management tools is a broader trend in the sports industry, particularly as digital-native generations demand greater agency over their futures. With growing pressure on teams and scouts to find talent beyond conventional pipelines, platforms like GRAET are poised to become indispensable. The company’s focus on data, design, and inclusivity sets it apart in a crowded and often fragmented space.
As the platform continues to grow, GRAET plans to expand beyond hockey and into other team sports, including soccer, basketball, and volleyball. This move is driven by user demand and a recognition that the structural barriers faced by athletes are not confined to one discipline. By building modular, sport-agnostic features, the company ensures that its tools remain relevant across multiple verticals.
For athletes and families navigating the complexities of youth sports recruitment, GRAET offers a streamlined, digital-first alternative that aligns with modern expectations. With international reach, a growing user base, and a clear mission, the company is well-positioned to lead the next chapter in athlete empowerment and visibility.
The full impact of GRAET’s approach is yet to be seen, but early indicators point to a new model of sports recruitment—one where exposure is no longer limited by borders, and where athletes themselves are the architects of their future.
More information about GRAET is available on their official website, Instagram, and via the LinkedIn profile of its founder.
