Zerodha’s Rainmatter and Prakash Padukone Back AI Startup Machaxi

June 11, 2025

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Machaxi, a Bengaluru-based AI-driven sportstech company, has secured funding from Zerodha’s Rainmatter and Padukone Sports Management, co-founded by badminton legend Prakash Padukone. In a country where cricket dominates headlines but school sports are still an afterthought, one startup is trying to change that—using tech.

Their shared vision: to make structured sports education accessible at the school level, especially beyond India’s metros.

Coaching via AI: Machaxi’s Approach to Structured Sports

Founded by Kumar Gaurav, Nishant Mishra, and Nishant Vats, Machaxi was born out of a common frustration: school sports were either too casual or completely neglected. To address this, the team developed a platform that blends AI-led coaching, gamified training routines, and performance analytics across sports like cricket, football, volleyball, and basketball.

Machaxi’s tech lets schools and academies run structured sports programs—even with limited staff—through a digital system that tracks progress and provides real-time feedback.

The goal isn’t to chase medals right away, but to build habits, access, and opportunity at the base level of India’s sports pyramid.

Why Rainmatter and Padukone Sports Are Betting on Grassroots Sports

The investment from Zerodha’s Rainmatter, known for backing health and education-focused startups, and Padukone Sports Management, adds both capital and credibility.

Their interest signals a wider belief that India’s next sporting wave needs to start at school—not just with elite academies.

Machaxi already works with over 20 institutions and aims to reach 500+ schools in the next 12 months. The funding will go toward scaling operations, product development, and expanding its reach into underserved regions.

For Rainmatter, it’s about building long-term, inclusive ecosystems that promote fitness and discipline from a young age.

By merging AI, sport, and school infrastructure, Machaxi is taking a ground-up approach to solving one of India’s biggest overlooked gaps: access to quality sports education.

With Prakash Padukone’s sports vision and Zerodha’s Rainmatter backing the mission, Machaxi could be the startup that brings structured sports training into everyday classrooms.

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