Eyeball, an innovative sports technology company dedicated to revolutionizing talent scouting in professional football, has successfully completed a €5 million seed funding round. This investment, spearheaded by Vendep Capital, included participation from Sportlogiq, Heartland, and Founderment. This new financing comes less than a year after Eyeball's pre-seed round, highlighting the company's rapid ascent and increasing relevance in the global football industry.

Expansion and Technology Enhancement

Operating in 27 countries, Eyeball is already integrated into the recruitment strategies of over 100 top football clubs, including a majority of teams in the Premier League and Ligue One, as well as over half of the clubs in both the German Bundesliga and Italy’s Serie A. The fresh capital will facilitate Eyeball's expansion into key markets in the United States and Latin America while also enhancing the platform's technological capabilities.

Eyeball's platform is built on comprehensive match video analysis and utilizes AI-driven computer vision and data analytics. This combination allows football clubs to gain extensive insights into emerging talents across various regions and continents. By digitizing the scouting process, Eyeball empowers clubs to discover talent in under-represented areas, thereby enabling them to identify potential football stars earlier than ever.

Revolutionizing Talent Scouting

Manfred Lerley, CEO and co-founder of Eyeball, emphasized the significance of this funding round, stating, “We’ve seen a three-fold increase in revenue in 2024, and this latest funding round is a strong validation of our vision to redefine how talent is scouted across the globe by top clubs.” He added that the technology enables clubs to tap into a wider talent pool using data-driven insights that were previously unavailable.

The platform's effectiveness is evident in the success stories it has generated. For instance, notable players discovered through Eyeball include 18-year-old midfielder Abdoulaye Kanté, who moved from FC Montfermeil to Troyes, and 17-year-old Daniel Skaarud, who was recruited from Lillestrøm to Ajax’s academy. These instances highlight Eyeball's commitment to democratizing the scouting process, making professional opportunities accessible to a broader range of players.

Positive Feedback from Partners

Jupe Arala, General Partner at Vendep Capital, expressed excitement over the investment, noting the increasing demand for advanced scouting tools in youth academies as the peak transfer value of football players shifts to younger ages. He stated, “Eyeball is well on its way to achieving category dominance by creating a high-quality, reliable infrastructure that enhances talent discovery for top football clubs.”

A representative from a leading Premier League club remarked on the transformative impact of Eyeball's platform: “Eyeball has fundamentally changed how we approach youth recruitment. Their platform allows us to identify players we might never have noticed, with data that supports long-term strategic recruitment decisions.”

Commitment to Future Growth

The new funding will allow Eyeball to continue its aggressive growth trajectory while reinforcing its technological capabilities. The company aims to provide clubs with the tools they need to secure a reliable pipeline of young talent. “Our mission is clear; it is not just about finding the best talent; it’s about equipping clubs with the digital tools they need to future-proof their recruitment processes,” Lerley stated.

The foundation of Eyeball's platform is based on full-match video analysis, enabling clubs to scout talent from various regions. By leveraging advanced technologies, Eyeball has improved the accuracy and efficiency of player evaluations, thus enhancing the overall scouting experience.

Eyeball's recent funding round marks a significant milestone in the company's journey to reshape football talent recruitment through technology. With a robust platform that combines AI, data analytics, and video insights, Eyeball is well-positioned to continue its rapid growth and impact on the football industry. As the company expands its reach into new markets and further develops its technology, it stands to play a critical role in the future of football scouting, ensuring that the stars of tomorrow are discovered today.