Sportstech platform str8bat raises $3.5 Mn in Series A

Sportstech platform str8bat has raised $3.5 million (about Rs 29.4 crore) in a Series A funding round led by Exfinity Venture Partners, with participation from TRTL, Eternal Capital, and VCats Group, along with existing investors Techstars and SucSEED Indovation Fund.

The Bengaluru-based company had previously raised $517K from its existing investors and others.

The proceeds will be used to boost training and performance tracking for athletes, particularly cricketers, str8bat said in a press release. 

Co-founded in 2017 by Gagan Daga, Rahul Nagar, and Madhusudan R, str8bat develops sensor-based wearables for cricket. Its product analyzes the stance of the batsman, the type of shot, and movements using an AI engine. The platform also claims to enable users to connect with top-notch coaches globally.

str8bat has served clients like Rajasthan Royals, Cricket Australia, and SG Cricket, and it has partnered with SG Cricket to introduce the “world’s first smart willow.” This cricket bat, equipped with an IoT device, delivers advanced shot tracking without the need for cameras, enabling players at all levels to access actionable insights and performance recommendations.

str8bat reports that it has recorded over a couple of million shots, with around 400 elite-level players currently using its platform. It aspires to have over a million players within five years.

 Other sportstech platforms in India include Rooter, SportJacks, Worldstage, Sportvot, Joybox Active, KheloMore, and others.