Powering the World’s Play: Our Vision for the Future of Recreation

by Birju Kadakia and Rachel Williams, co-founders of Rec Technologies

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The heartbeat of our communities
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Recreation is the heartbeat of community life — it’s where kids score their first goals, neighbors join weekly basketball runs, and where a watercolor class can connect generations. 

And yet — across America, the infrastructure that powers these experiences is broken. Parents still wake up at 7 a.m. to battle outdated registration portals, and behind the scenes, recreation is facilitated through a messy web of paper forms, phone calls, and busy work that’s reminiscent of the 90s. Seeing this, Rachel and I started Rec to reimagine the systems that power recreation. 

We decided to start by first building a platform for Parks & Rec departments to connect with their communities. Why? Because there are over 18,000 public recreation agencies across the country, each consistently held back by technology. Yet through their herculean efforts, these parks and programs drive the vast majority of the recreation opportunities in America.

In partnership with Parks & Rec departments, we’ve started modernizing the entire recreation infrastructure — one that touches a wide network of independent coaches, small businesses, community organizers, league operators, and volunteers who all work together to create access to recreation in our communities.

These communities deserve better. Recreation deserves technology that is simple, accessible, and joyful - that is the motivation behind Rec.

Because somewhere along the way, technology advancements left recreation behind, forcing families and staff to navigate systems that belong to another era.
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The impact is clear
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We’ve now partnered with over 50 communities nationwide, and we’ve seen firsthand how removing obstacles boosts participation.

• Torrance, CA: Summer camp registrations jumped from 0 to 60% on mobile in one season. What was once a dreaded day (for both parents and Rec staff) became just another Tuesday.
• Lincoln, CA: Facility usage grew 400% in one season after moving rentals onto Rec—unlocking revenue to reinvest in parks.
• San Francisco, CA: Thousands of affordable lessons have been delivered through our Instructor Network, activating neighborhood parks and enabling local coaches.
  

These aren’t just stats. They’re proof that when access gets easier, the recreation community thrives.

Backed by those who believe in play
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We've brought together a team of investors that see Rec as more than just software. They see it as a mission — and it’s personal. Their conviction validates what we already know: recreation isn’t optional. It’s essential.

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Where we’re headed
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We’ve raised $18 million, including our recently announced $11 million Series A, to meet demand across the US and invest in AI that will revolutionize how cities provide recreation.

This investment allows us to serve the communities all over the country that are reaching out, asking for the same thing — recreation technology that actually increases access. Large agencies like Colorado’s Apex Park & Recreation District will launch with Rec in early 2026, and this is just the start. Alongside Apex, hundreds of forward-looking communities in more than 15 states will transition onto the Rec platform in 2026.

Over the coming months, our R&D investments will also increase. Today’s Rec platform is just the foundation for the AI-powered innovation we expect to bring to this industry.  

The Vision
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At Rec, our mission is simple: empower recreation communities to thrive. We’re already providing thousands of parents with a stress-free registration day, players with an easy way to book their pickleball courts, and vastly more access to community resources. This is just the tip of the iceberg. 

Recreation is a vast network, and the entire web is underserved by technology. Just as industries like food delivery, healthcare, and transportation have been modernized, we believe transformative technology is needed to unlock the recreation industry.

This is about more than just software. Rec will unlock more ways to play, more ways to connect, and create more active time in our communities.

That’s why we built Rec—and why this is just the beginning.

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