Business

ScoutSMART’s Predictive Analytics: The Future of College Football Recruiting

Published

8 months ago

July 30, 2024

College football recruiting is highly competitive, even at the best of times. Coaches constantly seek an edge by securing top talent.

scoutSMART, an advanced analytics platform, has flipped the script on how college programs find their athletes. Diane Bloodworth founded scoutSMART, which uses predictive analytics to help coaches better find the right recruits for their teams.

The Power of Analytics in Recruiting

scoutSMART’s platform goes beyond traditional recruiting methods by utilizing advanced algorithms. These algorithms attempt to predict a recruit’s potential fit and success within a specific program, allowing coaches to make better decisions. In turn, programs can reduce recruitment costs while improving the quality of athlete-program matches.

“Our system lets us evaluate which players will be successful at any level. This way, you can zero in on your top prospects faster and with less wasted effort,” says Diane Bloodworth, CEO and founder of scoutSMART.

scoutSMART’s ability to compile hundreds of stats into one easy-to-read profile sets it apart. The platform collates multiple data points, including online links, social media handles, coach’s notes, and GPAs.

Through such an expansive analysis, coaches may better assess a player’s on-field performance, academic standing, and character. With the correct selection, using scoutSMART’s system can potentially lead to better long-term outcomes for both the athlete and the institution.

Adapting to the Changing World of College Sports

Recently, scoutSMART expanded its services to include analytics for flag football in response to the sport’s recent surge in popularity. “I’m personally excited to support girls flag football and become one of the first recruiting analytics providers for the sport,” Bloodworth stated.

With flag football integrated into the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, scoutSMART hopes to drum up enough talent for the sport to create a truly competitive environment. The U.S. will likely see a leap forward in flag football performance through general marketing and aiding in selecting the most capable athletes.

Bloodworth further elaborates, “It was always about supporting the girls. More young women should be given opportunities to play at the highest levels. scoutSMART will be the go-to platform for building winning teams. I can guarantee it.“

The Future of Recruiting

As sports become increasingly data-centric, tools like scoutSMART are becoming indispensable for coaches and programs seeking to build winning teams. The platform’s predictive analytics offer a glimpse into the future of college football recruiting, where data-driven insights complement traditional scouting methods.

The sports world is changing. Data has taken center stage, and tools like scoutSMART are becoming a mainstay for professional coaches. These same coaches want to win, with platforms like scoutSMART offering a peek into the future of recruiting.

Currently, the scoutSMART methodology for recruiting analytics may well represent the future of the college football industry. The platform provides coaches with a treasure trove of data and insights, smoothing the recruiting process with projections at their fingertips.

As Bloodworth puts it, “Whether you are on the field or in the office, we offer access to the data you need, the way you need it.” With competition fiercer than ever, tools like scoutSMART will grow to become a necessity for any college football program that wants to stay on top.

Business

How Black Banx Has Sped Digital Payments Into Its Global Phase

Published

24 hours ago

March 13, 2025

Matthew Wiles

The payments industry has grown substantially in the last decade, with digital transactions now practically a given in most parts of the world. A key contributor to this globalization of payments has been Black Banx, a Toronto-based global digital bank founded by German billionaire Michael Gastauer.

Through innovative fintech solutions, a commitment to financial inclusion, and strategic investments in blockchain and artificial intelligence, the company continues to make transactions quicker and easier no matter where the sender or receiver is in the world.

The Cross-Border Payment Boom

Global transactions have never been more essential to the world economy. From businesses engaging in international trade to individuals sending remittances back home, the demand for fast and cost-effective cross-border payments has skyrocketed. In fact, FXCintelligence projects that the cross-border payments market will hit an astonishing US$290 trillion by 2030, driven by the rise of e-commerce and digital trade.

Historically, moving money across borders wasn’t simple. Traditional banking relied on a complex web of intermediaries, leading to slow processing times, high fees, and inefficiencies. But fintech has changed the game. Companies like Black Banx have introduced digital-first solutions that eliminate unnecessary middlemen, enabling instant, affordable transactions.

Black Banx’s Rapid Growth: A Testament to Demand

Black Banx has experienced explosive growth, reflecting the increasing demand for seamless global payments. By the end of 2024, the company’s customer base had expanded to 69 million users across 180+ countries—a staggering 76% growth from 39 million in 2023.

This growth wasn’t accidental. Black Banx’s success stems from its ability to offer frictionless cross-border banking, catering to individuals and businesses worldwide. It’s offerings include:

Instant Multi-Currency Accounts – Customers can open accounts online within minutes, eliminating the need for physical bank visits.
Cryptocurrency Integration – Black Banx has accepted Bitcoin and Ethereum since 2016 and expanded its crypto services in 2024 by integrating Solana and the Lightning Network, allowing for ultra-fast, low-cost cross-border transfers.
Zero-Intermediary Transfers – By leveraging blockchain technology, the company bypasses traditional banking infrastructure, significantly reducing fees and processing times.

AI-Powered Payments: Enhancing Speed and Security

If there’s one technology that has reshaped digital payments in 2024, it’s artificial intelligence. AI is now at the heart of fraud detection, customer service, and transaction optimization, making global payments more secure and efficient.

Black Banx has fully embraced AI, using predictive analytics and automated systems to streamline operations. AI-driven chatbots handle customer inquiries, reducing response times and improving service efficiency. Meanwhile, real-time fraud detection algorithms flag suspicious transactions, preventing financial losses and building customer trust.

The results? Black Banx achieved a cost/income ratio of just 68% in 2024—one of the best in the industry—demonstrating how AI-powered automation can drive profitability while maintaining top-tier service.

Financial Inclusion: Breaking Down Barriers

Despite living in a digital age, over 1.4 billion people worldwide remain unbanked, according to the World Bank. Traditional banks have long failed to serve these individuals due to bureaucratic hurdles, geographic limitations, and high fees. Black Banx has made financial inclusion one of its core missions, particularly in underbanked regions like Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia-Pacific.

In 2024, the company’s impact on financial inclusion was profound:

32% year-over-year increase in SME clients in Africa and the Middle East – Black Banx empowered businesses in these regions with seamless digital banking services, reducing reliance on inefficient traditional banking channels.
Instant digital accounts with minimal documentation – Unlike traditional banks, which require extensive paperwork, Black Banx allows users to open accounts quickly, enabling greater access to financial services.
Affordable cross-border transactions – By eliminating intermediaries, the company ensures that even those in remote regions can send and receive payments without excessive fees.

The Future of Cross-Border Payments: Crypto and Blockchain

Cryptocurrency is no longer a niche asset—it’s gradually become a key cog in the global payments machine. Recognizing this early on, Black Banx became one of the first digital banks to integrate Bitcoin and Ethereum into its platform back in 2016.

In 2024, the company doubled down on its crypto-first strategy, incorporating Solana and the Lightning Network. These technologies allow users to complete cross-border transactions in seconds while avoiding the high fees and delays associated with traditional banking infrastructure.

Black Banx is also exploring crypto-based lending services, a move that could disrupt traditional financial models even further. If successful, decentralized finance (DeFi) solutions could provide businesses and individuals with access to capital without the constraints of conventional banking regulations.

A Year of Record-Breaking Financial Success

While many tech companies faced financial turbulence in 2024, Black Banx defied expectations, posting record-breaking numbers:

Annual revenue: US$11.1 billion (exceeding the forecasted US$10.8 billion)
Pre-tax profit: US$3.6 billion (far surpassing the original US$2.4 billion projection)
Customer base: 69 million users worldwide
Cost/income ratio: 68% – demonstrating operational efficiency
Capital distributions: US$2.90 per share

Black Banx’s financial success highlights the immense demand for efficient digital banking services, proving that fintech is not just a disruptor but the future of global finance.

What’s Next for Black Banx in 2025?

Given its past success, Black Banx is setting ambitious goals to build on its 2024 momentum. The company aims to:

Expand its customer base to 100 million users – By reaching more individuals in emerging markets, Black Banx hopes to further its mission of financial inclusion.
Strengthen its presence in digital asset banking – With growing demand for cryptocurrency-based financial services, the company will continue integrating blockchain solutions.
Enhance global payments infrastructure – By entering new markets and refining its AI-driven systems, Black Banx plans to make transactions even faster and more accessible.
Lower its cost/income ratio – Through further automation and AI optimization, the company aims to improve operational efficiency.

By embracing AI, blockchain, and a relentless commitment to financial inclusion, Black Banx has clearly been key in accelerating the transition of the world to a truly global payments system.