Machaxi raises $1.5 Mn from Rainmatter, Prakash Padukone, others

Machaxi, a Bengaluru-based sports-tech startup focused on grassroots coaching and digital sports infrastructure, has raised $1.5 million in a funding round led by Rainmatter, the investment arm of Zerodha, with participation from badminton legend Prakash Padukone and existing investors. 

The proceeds will support Machaxi’s expansion into Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai, and accelerate the development of its AI-powered coaching platform aimed at standardizing badminton training across India.

Founded in 2022 by Pratish Raj, Tushar Raj, and Ashish Anand, Machaxi offers training programs that ensure consistent, high-quality coaching regardless of geography. 

The firm currently operates centres in Bengaluru and aims to expand its reach nationwide, catering to first-time players as well as aspiring professional athletes.

As part of its expansion strategy, Machaxi has partnered with the Padukone School of Badminton to launch the “Machaxi x Padukone School of Badminton” program, which aims to set up more than 1,000 coaching centres over the next four years. The system will assist with performance tracking and scalability, complementing human coaching rather than replacing it.