DataRook is scaling up STEM skills in East Tennessee
The Knoxville startup uses GPS trackers and dashboards to teach coding through youth soccer. Founder Gus Alvarez-Suchini pitches on 865 Fest's main stage Sept. 29.
About a year ago, Gustavo Alvarez-Suchini, who goes by Gus, was wrapping up The WORKS, the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center’s startup accelerator, and using it to grow DataRook, the company he founded to teach science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills through sports. Today, DataRook reaches students of all ages and backgrounds across the Knoxville region, teaching them to code, build apps and analyze data drawn from their own soccer games.
During a DataRook session, students wear GPS trackers and cameras while they play soccer. The devices log every movement, speed and position on the field. Then the players head to the classroom to break down their own numbers and their teammates’.
“When we go inside and pull up the first dashboard, showing who was the fastest in the class, their eyes are immediately glued to the screen,” Gus said. “Using that data, they learn how to code, build apps and create interactive dashboards to present their data.”
Building on a strong foundation
Gus founded DataRook in 2022. It began as a simple idea, combining the competitive pull of sports with analytics, math and science. After a couple of seasons testing it with his U-11 boys soccer team, he decided to commercialize the concept and open it to other students in the area.
“It was a way that I could combine the things that I love in a way that really helps people,” he said. “With the way society is going, it’s important for kids to have data literacy skills. The main problem I see with STEM education is that it’s not engaging. We need to add more high-quality opportunities in STEM education for kids from all types of backgrounds.”
DataRook’s programming has worked for kids as young as seven and as old as high school seniors, and word of mouth has spread across the city and the region.
“The company has a presence now in Knoxville. People know who we are,” Gus said. “I can approach the conversations with old customers and new customers with way more confidence.”
That repeat business has kept Gus busy season after season. Now he is fielding requests to expand into new sports.
“We see basketball and flag football as the next two sports that we will pursue, because that’s what the kids are telling us they want to play,” he said. “But we have to find the right partners to make those opportunities possible.”
Connecting with DataRook
Last year, Gus pitched in the Emerging Entrepreneur Pitch Competition at 865 Fest, the student showcase presented by the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. This year he moves up to the main stage, competing in the Startup Pitch Competition.
“Now, to come back and present in the main group of entrepreneurs is really exciting. I don’t think there’s a better community than the entrepreneurial one in Knoxville. So I can’t wait,” he said.
You can watch Gus Alvarez-Succhini present at 865 Fest on Tuesday, September 29. Buy tickets here.
Connect with DataRook on socials.
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