Introducing Machaxi
Most of us had sports as a subject in school that we actually enjoyed. Some of us liked this period even more than the theoretical classes; sports gave us instant dopamine that sometimes studying never could. Playing with friends on playgrounds and running tracks was pure fun. Gully cricket was even better. India’s cricket culture meant playing on narrow roads with fewer cars, or small patches of ground, breaking neighbours’ windows more often than not. These are the memories that stayed with us.
But here’s the thing, sports were never really a big part of our curriculum. As a country, we’ve never seen enough validation to pursue sports as a career. The success rate is low, and making money from sports is a challenging endavour. Even those who made it to the top had to struggle from the ground up, often needing luck, good economic backgrounds, or the right connections. Let’s be honest, if you’re a football or cricket coach in India, you’re probably earning what a government school teacher makes, at best. So naturally, moms and dads pressure their kids into studying physics, chemistry, and math. Sports? Only if time permits, perhaps a basketball tournament here, tennis there. This created a cultural barrier. Even if you love sports, it’s hard to pick it up as a way of life. Now, despite the awareness around fitness and playing a sport among the urban population, continuing to play for fun as you grow old has gotten tough due to limited infrastructure and fewer organised players around us facilitating the same.
This shortage of accessible, safe play areas means that for millions, the love of sport never truly gets a chance to grow. For many families, balancing academics and sports is a careful act, and playtime often takes a backseat to studies. The question then arises: If we celebrate sports on the world stage, why don’t we make it easier for everyone to play every day?
This is exactly what Machaxi is addressing. They provide a tech-enabled platform that lets you book your favourite sport at a nearby location, access coaching if you want to improve your game or pick up a new sport, and track your progress, all while playing purely for the joy of it.
Founder’s Note:
At Machaxi, we’re set out to build a tech-enabled platform that makes playing and learning sports easy, consistent, and accessible. Our approach is built on three pillars:
- Structured coaching for kids – We offer curriculum-based programs in sports such as badminton and swimming, supported by tech-tools for assessments, progress tracking, and regular updates to parents.
- Daily play for adults – Our app lets users book courts, join local games, and earn rewards, encouraging them to stay active while building community through sport.
- Smart sports infrastructure – We partner with venues to bring professionalism, technology, and better experiences to courts and facilities that are often underused.
In just over two years, we’ve grown to 30+ centres across Bengaluru, with more than 2 lakh monthly active users, and over 4,000 children enrolled in our coaching programs. And while the numbers matter, it’s the individual stories that really drive us, whether it’s a 12-year-old learning new skills or a 38-year-old rediscovering the joy of swimming before work.
Our mission is to help India play more every day. We’re just getting started, and we’re excited for what lies ahead.
