Arkero Raises $6M in Pre-Seed Funding, Partners with Major Sports Leagues

New AI platform aims to streamline operations for professional sports teams across MLS, NWSL, and EFL.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 9:55am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Arkero, a platform using AI to manage day-to-day operations for sports organizations, has announced a $6 million pre-seed funding round. The round was led by Game Changers Ventures, with participation from investors like Alexis Ohanian and Adrian Hanauer. Arkero has also secured early partnerships with teams across MLS, NWSL, and the English Football League, with initial deployments focused on improving matchday planning and season-ticket renewals.

Why it matters

The sports industry is a $500 billion global market, but many teams still rely on outdated tools and manual processes to run their businesses. Arkero aims to bring AI-powered automation and data-driven decision-making to help teams streamline operations, reduce errors, and focus more on fan engagement and growth.

The details

Arkero centralizes operational data, workflows, and decisions into a single system, allowing business teams to plan, execute, and adapt in real time without adding headcount. In early deployments, the Seattle Sounders and Seattle Reign project over 50% efficiency savings around matchday planning in 2026 alone, driven by reduced manual work, faster decision-making, and fewer operational errors.

  • Arkero announced the $6 million pre-seed funding round on January 29, 2026.

The players

Arkero

A new platform using AI to effectively run the day-to-day operations of complex organizations in sport.

Roger Ehrenberg

The founder of Game Changers Ventures, which led Arkero's pre-seed funding round.

Alexis Ohanian

An investor in Arkero's pre-seed funding round, and the founder of 776.

Adrian Hanauer

The majority owner of the Seattle Sounders, who has invested in and partnered with Arkero.

Shivaas Gulati

The CEO of Arkero, who previously co-founded Remitly and owns a stake in Southend United FC.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“On and off the pitch, our business is about constantly looking ahead to identify what we can do better and how we can use technology and the right partners to gain a competitive edge.”

— Adrian Hanauer, Majority Owner, Seattle Sounders (BusinessWire)

“We made intentional decisions to prioritize how our teams could be optimized through AI. Partnering with Shivaas and the Arkero team allowed us to embed AI into our operating system rather than layering on software which has made the technology a durable part of our culture.”

— Hugh Weber, President and Chief Business Officer, Seattle Sounders (BusinessWire)

“While many are still debating how AI fits into real business solutions, Arkero is delivering tangible results. They've already demonstrated real impact with partners like the Sounders and the Reign, and we're proud to support them as they scale.”

— Roger Ehrenberg, Founder, Game Changers Ventures (BusinessWire)

What’s next

Arkero plans to continue expanding its partnerships with professional sports teams across MLS, NWSL, and the English Football League, with a focus on integrating its AI-powered platform into more aspects of team operations.

The takeaway

Arkero's pre-seed funding and early partnerships demonstrate the growing demand for AI-driven solutions to streamline and optimize the complex business operations of professional sports teams. As the industry continues to evolve, innovative platforms like Arkero could help teams gain a competitive edge through increased efficiency, data-driven decision-making, and enhanced fan engagement.