Delane Parnell & PlayVS, an uncommon founder story
Delane Parnell’s journey to become a tech founder is different than most. “I didn’t grow up on the internet, or coding,” the 25-year-old says. “Because I didn’t have internet.” “Most of the friends I grew up with,” he says, “have died or are in jail.” That’s why it might be a bit surprising that Parnell’s startup, PlayVS, recently signed one of the most important deals in gaming history. This fall, eSports will become a sport officially sanctioned by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), the organization that writes the rules for high school sports and activities. When it does so, Parnell’s PlayVS will be the company providing the online infrastructure–a platform that hosts competitions, compiles statistics, and streams matches for fans.