In this episode of The Next Next, Jason Jacobs sits down with Matt Wheeler and Chris Meade, co-founders of SportsRecruits. The company connects millions of high school athletes with college coaches, helping them find the right fit for their athletic and academic future. Matt and Chris share their entrepreneurial journey, starting from their days at Wesleyan University where they played lacrosse, to identifying inefficiencies in the sports recruiting process, and eventually founding SportsRecruits. They discuss the initial challenges, including their early model of filming lacrosse events and transitioning to a scalable digital platform. They reveal the company's scaling through partnerships with clubs and events, leading to a significant growth in user base. Furthermore, they highlight the company's recent acquisition by IMG Academy, aiming to deliver more value in the increasingly complex recruiting landscape. Beyond business, the conversation also touches on personal experiences and philosophies concerning youth sports, player development, and parenting. 

00:00 Introduction to SportsRecruits 

00:40 Founders' Background and Early Challenges 

01:23 Transition to Digital and Business Scaling 

01:44 Recent Acquisition and Future Vision 

02:03 Reconnecting and Reflecting on the Journey 

02:26 Welcome to the Show: Matt and Chris 

03:26 Early Career Paths and Initial Business Idea 

03:52 First Steps and Initial Struggles 

07:14 Breakthrough Moment and Business Model Shift 

17:59 Expansion into Other Sports 

22:05 The Role of Clubs in Recruiting 

28:21 Challenges and Successes in Scaling 

34:42 The Importance of Technology in Recruiting 

35:57 Defense vs. Offense in Club Marketing 

36:53 The Role of SportsRecruits in Club Success 

39:29 The Impact of AI and Future Prospects 

40:39 Transitioning to Software and Funding Challenges 

44:51 Acquisition by IMG Academy 

55:57 Balancing Parenting and Youth Sports 

01:06:01 Reflections on the Journey and Final Thoughts