PlayVS, a recently launched startup that aims to build esports infrastructure at the high school level, announced this week the closing of a $15 million Series A funding round, with participation from investors including Nas and the San Francisco 49ers.

First publically launched in April, PlayVS partnered with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) to build leagues, establish rules, and set a precedent for high school esports. Delane Parnell, now 25 years old, began the initiative alongside his high school science teacher as a way for students to participate in a hobby they all enjoyed. They began by collecting the needed equipment, kept track of stats, and awarded trophies for each game played.

We're excited to announce our exclusive partnership with the @NFHS_Org and the @NFHSNetwork. We will be bringing esports to their network of nearly 20,000 high schools across the nation. Compete for your State Championship starting Fall 2018!https://t.co/zVG45wGwOz — PlayVS (@playvs) April 19, 2018

Today, PlayVS is developing software as a way to formalize high school gaming competitions. The startup serves as an all-in-one online portal suited for administration and students. A select number of games have been integrated, player stats may be tracked or collected, matches may be scheduled, and wins and losses are auto-reported on the platform in order to prevent cheating. Due to the fact that the NFHS will be rolling out esports exclusively through a Web app, Parnell’s company may reach around 19,500 high schools as an esports program that functions akin to an officially sanctioned sport.

The inaugural season will begin this Fall, with about 18 to 20 states set to participate. PlayVS has yet to announce which games will be offered but plans to work alongside publishers to sanction IPs within PC-based multiplayer online battle arenas, sports games, and fighting games. Two seasons will make up the school year, with each played across two months, leading to conference finals and a state championship. Students who wish to participate will need to pay a $16 per month participation fee. While the company has not yet announced which schools will be participating, a new round of funding is set to go towards expanding PlayVS to eventually reach every high school across the country.

PlayVS plans to bring structure to the unorthodox measures by which students are recruited for esports at the collegiate level. Considering that esports is nearing over a billion dollars in revenues this year, and a projected 72% of teens play video games, this startup hopes to readily usher the next wave of athletes with a formalized path. Parnell suspects that hundreds of thousands of students will be sent to college on esports scholarships in the future, and is utilizing the summer to prep for the debut season.