Machaxi Secures $1.5 Million in Funding Led by Rainmatter and Prakash Padukone

Machaxi, sports tech startup, Rainmatter, Zerodha, Prakash Padukone, AI coaching platform, grassroots sports India,

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Bengaluru-based sports-tech startup to expand nationwide with AI-powered coaching platform

Funding Round Led by Rainmatter

Bengaluru-based Machaxi, a fast-growing sports-tech startup, has raised $1.5 million in a fresh funding round led by Rainmatter, the investment arm of Zerodha. The round also saw participation from badminton legend Prakash Padukone and existing backers, solidifying investor confidence in the company’s long-term vision for Indian grassroots sports.

The funding will accelerate Machaxi’s plans to scale its AI-powered coaching platform and expand into Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai, following its current presence in Bengaluru.

Building India’s Grassroots Sports Infrastructure

Founded in 2022 by Pratish Raj and Ankit Raj, Machaxi is on a mission to democratize access to quality sports coaching across India. The company focuses on standardizing training in sports like badminton, making high-quality coaching accessible to both first-time learners and aspiring professionals.

By combining human coaching with digital tools, Machaxi ensures consistent training outcomes, regardless of location or local infrastructure.

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AI-Powered Coaching for the Next Generation

A major component of the funding will go toward the development of Machaxi’s proprietary AI coaching platform, which offers real-time feedback, skill assessments, and personalized drills for each player. The system is designed to assist, not replace, human coaches, allowing them to deliver structured, data-driven training.

This tech-enabled approach is aimed at reducing the uneven quality of sports training that exists across cities, especially for underrepresented regions in India.

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Nationwide Expansion on the Horizon

Currently operating out of multiple Bengaluru centres, Machaxi is preparing to launch coaching centres in Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai. These cities were selected based on their growing interest in non-cricket sports, particularly badminton, and their potential to become regional talent hubs.

This move is part of a long-term strategy to establish a pan-India presence, positioning Machaxi as a leader in scalable sports coaching solutions.

Strategic Partnership with Padukone School of Badminton

To further boost its coaching credibility and outreach, Machaxi has partnered with the Padukone School of Badminton to launch the “Machaxi × Padukone School of Badminton” program. This strategic initiative aims to set up over 1,000 coaching centres across India over the next four years.

This collaboration brings together Padukone’s legacy in Indian badminton and Machaxi’s tech-first methodology, offering standardized training under elite mentorship. The initiative will also include tools for player performance tracking, talent scouting, and progress mapping, essential for long-term athlete development.

Past Traction and Star-Studded Investor Roster

Prior to this round, Machaxi raised INR 4.8 crore (approx. $600,000) in June 2024 from Inflection Point Ventures, which helped scale their in-app marketplace, performance analytics engine, and community-led sports infrastructure.

The startup also counts cricket legend Zaheer Khan among its early investors, enhancing its brand visibility and cross-sport relevance. His involvement underscores the company’s appeal across multiple sports verticals.

Vision of the Founders

Tech professional and co-founder Pratish Raj, and certified coach and professional entrepreneur co-founder, Ankit Raj, drew their complementary strengths together to build a sports system driven by passion and precision.

They aim to standardize training, find untapped talent and make sports both aspirational and accessible to millions of young Indians.

What’s Next for Machaxi

With this fresh capital infusion, Machaxi is focused on:

  • Launching new centres in Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai by end of 2025
  • Scaling the AI coaching platform to include more sports and languages
  • Executing the Padukone partnership, with 1,000+ centres in four years
  • Driving grassroots talent development through school and community outreach programs

Conclusion

Machaxi’s $1.5 million funding round is a pivotal moment in India’s fast-evolving sports-tech ecosystem. By leveraging advanced AI with trusted sports mentoring, the startup is in a great position to be part of the revolution in grassroots coaching in India. With ambitious scaling plans, strong investor support, and a defined mission, Machaxi isn’t just developing players, it’s developing the future of Indian sport.

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