Filling The Sports Gap! Rainmatter Funds AI Sports Startup Machaxi

In a country with a growing appetite for sports, the real challenge lies not in identifying talent, but in nurturing it early and consistently. That’s where Bengaluru-based startup Machaxi is stepping in with a vision to transform how grassroots sports—particularly badminton—is coached, scaled, and sustained across India.

The sports-tech startup has raised $1.5 million in a fresh funding round led by Rainmatter, the investment initiative of Zerodha. The round also saw participation from Indian badminton icon Prakash Padukone and several existing investors. With this boost, Machaxi is all set to expand operations beyond Bengaluru into Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai, while advancing its AI-driven coaching system that aims to bring uniformity, accessibility, and structure to grassroots badminton training.

Addressing the Coaching Gap in Indian Sports

In India, access to structured sports coaching often remains limited to urban centres or elite academies. Most young athletes in tier-2 and tier-3 cities face challenges such as inconsistent coaching quality, lack of infrastructure, and minimal exposure to competitive play. Machaxi was founded in 2022 with the aim to bridge these gaps.

Its solution lies at the intersection of sports and technology. The company has been developing an AI-based coaching system that assists human trainers by standardizing drills, tracking player performance, and ensuring consistent training regardless of geography. This approach allows even semi-professional or early-stage coaches to deliver high-quality, data-informed training experiences to young athletes.

The technology is designed to be an enabler, not a replacement, focusing on consistency and scalability—two elements often missing in India’s grassroots sports ecosystem.

Strategic Backing from Icons and Innovators

Rainmatter’s support reflects its broader commitment to sustainable, long-term impact ventures. Nithin Kamath, Founder of Zerodha and Rainmatter, believes Machaxi’s blend of digital innovation and on-ground execution is well-aligned with their mission.

“We’ve always believed in the power of grassroots sports to transform communities. Machaxi’s tech-driven approach to coaching, combined with a solid on-ground strategy, aligns perfectly with our mission at Rainmatter to back sustainable and impactful ventures,” said Kamath.

Adding further credibility and passion to the mission is Prakash Padukone, one of India’s most respected sports figures. His support goes beyond funding. As a long-standing advocate for structured sports training, Padukone has partnered with Machaxi to co-launch a new initiative under the banner “Machaxi x Padukone School of Badminton.”

The initiative aims to build over 1,000 coaching centres across India over the next four years. This partnership brings a unique synergy of traditional coaching excellence and modern tech-driven methodologies.

“I’ve always believed that the future of Indian badminton lies in structured grassroots development. Machaxi’s vision to scale coaching while maintaining quality through AI is forward-thinking and impactful. I’m thrilled to partner with them in shaping the next generation of champions,” said Padukone.

Building a Scalable Coaching Model

The AI coaching system being developed by Machaxi is built to empower existing coaches and enable new ones. It offers real-time performance analytics, suggested training modules based on player profiles, and consistency in the delivery of drills and feedback. This ensures that whether a player trains in a metro or a small town, they receive similar quality inputs and structured progression.

Co-founder Pratish Raj emphasized the importance of equity and accessibility in their mission.

“This partnership is a big step forward in our mission to make quality sports coaching accessible to everyone in India. With the support of Rainmatter and the visionary backing of Mr. Padukone, we’re working toward a future where every aspiring athlete, no matter where they come from, can train with consistency, purpose, and access to world-class infrastructure,” Raj said.

He added that the AI-powered model is designed to help discover and nurture potential in players who might otherwise be overlooked due to geographical or economic limitations.

Riding the Global AI-in-Sports Wave

Machaxi’s strategy aligns with global trends in sports tech. According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the AI in sports market was valued at $1.03 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to $2.61 billion by 2030, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.7%.

As AI finds applications across talent scouting, player development, injury prevention, and personalized coaching, sports-tech companies like Machaxi are positioned to ride this wave by localizing innovation for the Indian context.

While global players in the AI sports space focus largely on elite-level athletics, Machaxi is charting a different path—one that’s rooted in community impact, accessibility, and the belief that India’s next champions can come from anywhere.

A New Model for Grassroots Sports

Since its inception, Machaxi has been building a replicable, tech-enabled coaching infrastructure that can scale across India. It operates centres that serve both first-time players and serious aspirants, offering flexible programs and inclusive memberships.

Its model merges digital coaching tools with physical infrastructure, and that hybrid approach is helping it address the often-missed middle ground between recreational play and professional coaching.

As the company prepares to expand into new cities and build a pan-India coaching network, the core idea remains simple: every child deserves the chance to play, train, and grow with the right support—no matter where they are.

Machaxi was founded in 2022 with the vision to make structured sports coaching and quality infrastructure accessible to all. Based in Bengaluru, the startup integrates AI-based tools with on-ground training programs to serve athletes at all stages, from beginners to those pursuing competitive excellence.