Prediction Strike: A Look Into their Growth

Deven Hurt, CEO, Prediction Strike

Today, I want to share a unique startup in the consumer sports space—PredictionStrike. It’s a fantasy sports stock market platform where users can buy and sell virtual shares of professional athletes using real money, offering a fresh twist on both fantasy sports and the stock market. PredictionStrike was co-founded by Deven Hurt, a two-time Harvard graduate who currently serves as CEO, and Brad Chabra, formerly at Square 1 Bank and now COO. Together, they’ve raised over $15 million from institutional investors and recently achieved record revenue.

PredictionStrike’s growing success in an ultra-competitive market shows the promise of blending sports fandom with real financial potential. Let’s dive into the factors that led to this milestone.

How It Works

For context, PredictionStrike allows users to buy shares in pro-athletes (including NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, UFC, and soccer players) investing in their real-world performance. These “stocks” operate like traditional ones—share prices rise and fall based on the athletes' real performance compared to market projections. This brings a unique depth to sports investment, appealing to both avid fans and financially-savvy users alike.

For example, let’s say LeBron James’ share price is $10, with a projected 50-fantasy point game. If he scores only 25 fantasy points, the price may dip to $8.75. However, if he scores 80 fantasy points against a 40-fantasy point projection, his share price could surge to $10.94. This dynamic pricing creates opportunities for users to anticipate and capitalize on athlete performance, bringing new levels of engagement to sports.

Cause and Effect: Funding and Product Updates Drive Growth

Over the past year, PredictionStrike has achieved remarkable growth, driven by a Series A funding round raised in 3 months (a remarkable feat in itself) led by Bullpen Capital, which brought the company's valuation to $32 million. Key contributions from MaC Venture Capital, Sixty8 Capital, and others have enabled the company to expand its reach, launching a mobile app that makes the platform more accessible to users.

Since the app launch, PredictionStrike has seen a notable uptick in user growth and engagement. Their latest feature, Sparks, released in September 2024, lets users purchase bundles of athletes based on combined fantasy projections. For instance, users can bet on whether LeBron James and Steph Curry together will exceed 80 fantasy points, creating a high-upside product for those with strong convictions about player combinations.

Sparks' success led directly to PredictionStrike's record revenue day, signaling strong user demand and reinforcing the company's rapid growth trajectory. Sparks now account for the majority of their revenue, with $1M+ in trading volume per week.

This reflects the rest of their growth: $40M in transactions in 2024, increased revenue per trader by 88% in 2022, and attained profitability on a per-user basis in November of 2024.

Competitive Advantage

PredictionStrike sets itself apart by combining elements of both fantasy sports and stock market trading—an innovative approach that competitors like DraftKings and Robinhood don’t offer. While DraftKings provides traditional fantasy sports and betting options, PredictionStrike allows users to make long-term investments in athletes, with share prices that reflect actual performance metrics rather than game outcomes alone. 

Unlike Robinhood, where stock investments depend solely on market dynamics, PredictionStrike’s unique model ties value to athletes’ real-world achievements, appealing to fans who want to engage with sports beyond daily or seasonal games. This blend of market-style mechanics with sports analytics creates a distinct product, offering a new way for sports enthusiasts and investors to invest in their favorite athletes.

Additionally, Prediction Strikes’ fee structure are significantly lower than those on popular mobile sports platforms (typically 5-12%), making it more cost-effective for users. But Sparks is a game-changer, allowing PredictionStrike to stand out further by offering features that go beyond basic trading—users can make sophisticated plays based on team dynamics and player synergies. 

Conclusion and Investment Opportunities

While PredictionStrike might not yet be considered a “must-have,” it clearly fills an exciting and underserved niche at the intersection of sports entertainment and finance. As sports fans and investors look for new ways to engage with their favorite players, PredictionStrike’s growth potential is hard to ignore. The recent introduction of Sparks indicates a product with strong traction, and with a Series B round on the horizon, the company is poised to expand even further.

What are PredictionStrike’s long-term goals beyond the Series B round?

They want to use the Series B round to revolutionize the way that fans interact with their favorite athletes. They want PredictionStrike to be part of every fan’s experience, not just another sports product by deepening their partnerships with athletes and starting partnerships with leagues.

If you’re interested in getting involved or simply want to learn more, feel free to reach out to PredictionStrike’s CEO, Deven Hurt, through their official channels. This is a growth story worth following.