Machaxi, a Bengaluru-based sportstech startup, has raised $1.5 million in a funding round led by Rainmatter, the investment arm of Zerodha. The round also saw participation from badminton legend Prakash Padukone and other existing investors, marking a major step forward in India’s grassroots sports innovation space.
Key Highlights:
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Funding Round: $1.5 million
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Lead Investor: Rainmatter (Zerodha’s investment arm)
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Notable Participant: Prakash Padukone
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Founded: 2022
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Focus: AI-powered grassroots sports coaching and digital infrastructure
The fresh capital will allow Machaxi to expand beyond its base in Bengaluru into Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai. Additionally, the startup plans to build a nationwide AI-powered coaching framework, starting with badminton.
Strategic Collaborations:
Machaxi is collaborating with the Padukone School of Badminton to launch the “Machaxi x Padukone School of Badminton” initiative. The goal? Establish over 1,000 AI-backed coaching centers across India within the next four years. The AI model will help deliver consistent, high-quality coaching regardless of location or coach availability.
“Machaxi’s tech-driven approach to grassroots coaching fits perfectly with our mission to support sustainable and impactful ventures,” said Nithin Kamath, Founder of Zerodha and Rainmatter.
A Vision for Future Champions:
Prakash Padukone, speaking on his investment and vision, added:
“The future of Indian badminton lies in structured grassroots development. Machaxi’s AI-led scalability is a game changer.”
This endorsement from one of India’s greatest athletes adds strong credibility to Machaxi’s mission.
Driving Change with AI:
Co-founder Pratish Raj highlighted the startup’s goal of democratizing access to quality sports training:
“We’re ensuring that no talent goes unnoticed, no matter the geography. Our AI-powered model brings consistency, quality, and purpose to every athlete’s journey.”
Market Outlook:
According to MarketsandMarkets, the AI in Sports market was valued at $1.03 billion in 2024, and is projected to reach $2.61 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 16.7%. Machaxi is poised to ride this wave of growth with its tech-first approach to coaching.
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