Ballin AI, Founded by Nyla Pollard, Closes $500K Angel Round to Transform Athlete Recruiting

by Manny Larcher

Ballin AI, the sports technology startup founded by former collegiate athlete Nyla Pollard, has officially closed a $500,000 angel funding round, marking a significant milestone in the company’s mission to revolutionize the athlete recruiting experience.

Nyla Pollard’s success in securing this round is not only a testament to her leadership and vision but also a breakthrough moment that reflects the growing recognition of underrepresented innovators in sports and technology. Her journey highlights the importance of fostering ecosystems that support diverse founders with innovative ideas.

This raise is especially significant given the broader funding landscape in the United States, where less than 1% of venture capital goes to Black women founders. ​

The company is developing cutting-edge tools to accelerate recruiting, making it faster, smarter, and data-driven for both athletes and coaches. By combining automation and AI, Ballin AI aims to eliminate outdated and inefficient systems in sports recruitment, replacing them with a platform rooted in transparency, performance analytics, and opportunity equity.

The angel round includes investment from an impressive group of early believers:

• Slauson & Co.
• Oregon Sports Angels
• ACT House
• FBomb Angels Investment Club

These partners bring not only capital but also a deep commitment to the company's vision of empowering student-athletes and enhancing how coaches discover and evaluate talent.

Ballin AI is already gaining traction within the sports tech ecosystem, and this new capital will fuel product development, user growth, and strategic partnerships across the U.S.

To learn more about Ballin AI, visit www.ballin.ai