In a major boost for India’s sports infrastructure ecosystem, Bengaluru-based startup Michezo Sports has raised $2.5 million in a pre-Series A funding round led by Centre Court Capital, with participation from Rainmatter, the investment arm of Zerodha. The funding marks an important step forward for the startup as it looks to expand its reach and make high-quality sports facilities more accessible across the country.
Founders Turning Vision Into Playgrounds
Founded in 2019 by Maharishi (Rishi) Sridhar Founder and (CEO) and Co-founders Deepak Nataraj Ramamurthi and Alok Agarwal, Michezo Sports was born out of a shared belief that good sports facilities should not be a privilege limited to a few cities or elite institutions.
Rishi, a former national-level tennis player, understands first-hand the struggles athletes face in finding world-class infrastructure in India. Deepak, who brings extensive experience in finance and governance, complements that vision with strategic and operational expertise. Together, they built Michezo to bridge the country’s massive gap in quality sporting infrastructure, from design and construction to long-term maintenance.
From Blueprints to Playgrounds
Michezo Sports provides turnkey solutions that cover the entire lifecycle of a sporting facility, from designing and building to maintaining it after completion. Since its inception, the company has completed over 350 projects for more than 175 clients, including schools, universities, sports clubs, and real estate developers.
Their portfolio spans athletic tracks, football and hockey turfs, badminton and squash courts, basketball and volleyball arenas, as well as emerging sports like pickleball and padel. The company also ensures its facilities meet international standards set by governing bodies such as FIFA, FIH, ITF, and World Athletics.
New Funding, New Horizons
The freshly secured funding will help Michezo Sports move beyond its core business of sports surfaces into newer areas like swimming pools, civil sports infrastructure, and a distribution platform for sports equipment and materials.
The company plans to streamline the often-fragmented procurement process in the sector by creating a platform where certified suppliers and builders can collaborate efficiently. This will not only help maintain consistent quality but also reduce the costs and delays that typically plague large-scale projects.
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Partnering With the Public for a Common Goal
One of Michezo’s biggest focus areas in the coming years will be public-private partnerships (PPPs) with state and local governments. The idea is simple but powerful, to create community-level sporting facilities that are accessible, affordable, and built to global standards.
The founders believe such collaborations can transform India’s grassroots sports ecosystem by offering young athletes in smaller towns the same opportunities as those in metros. It’s also a timely move, considering India’s growing ambitions to host major international sporting events in the coming decades.
Why Investors Are Paying Attention
For Centre Court Capital, a fund that primarily invests in sports and gaming-related startups, Michezo is a clear example of the rising value of the sports infrastructure market, a sector that has been heavily neglected but is now gaining a lot of traction.
Rainmatter’s participation is a signal of the increasing focus of the fund on the community-benefit projects that are also financially viable. The investors perceive Michezo not just as a firm that constructs playgrounds and stadia, but as a brand that facilitates holistic health, youth development, and social engagement through sport over time.
Industry experts estimate that India’s sports infrastructure sector, currently valued at around $4 billion, is set to grow rapidly as both public and private investments rise. Government programs like Khelo India and Fit India have further encouraged startups to play an active role in strengthening the nation’s sports backbone.
The Road Ahead for Michezo
It is not easy to build and maintain sports infrastructure. The business requires a lot of capital, has long project cycles, and has challenging operational requirements. Michezo’s challenge at this point is to be able to maintain the quality while growing the scale, thus making sure that every facility it creates is not only environmentally friendly but also available to everyone.
The company plans to use part of the funding to expand its project management and on-ground teams to support rapid execution across multiple states. Its success will hinge on operational discipline, smart cost control, and the ability to maintain high standards as it enters new verticals.
A Human Touch to India’s Sporting Growth
For the founders, this financing round is primarily not about growth figures or market share. It is about delivering the joy of sport to every community, i.e., children going to school in small towns and young athletes preparing for global tournaments.
Rishi Sridhar repeatedly says, “Sports infrastructure should not be regarded merely as building; it is about building experiences that attract more people to participation.” With this new investment and a strong determination, Michezo Sports appears to be on the way to making that statement come true, not only in one court, one track, or one playground but in many.
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