The national importance of a strong sporting culture

We’ve always believed that playing sports is so much more than just games. It’s a powerful way to stay healthy, find your community, and push your limits. At Zerodha, sports is a shared language that connects all of us.

That’s why, at Rainmatter, alongside our usual focus on fitness and preventive health, we’ve recently backed several sports-driven startups. Some of them include:

Machaxi and GameTheory: building coaching centres and venues for various sports

Yoska (IronMan, Hyrox, Duathlons) and Spectacom (Devil Circuit & Yodha): creating participatory sports events

Fitpage (running) and Sisters in Sweat (women in sports): fostering community-led sports movements

Olympic Gold Quest, GoSports, and Simply Sport: supporting promising athletes through sports foundations

In India today, roughly 20% of adults are completely inactive and another 37% only mildly active. That leaves less than half meeting the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) weekly physical activity requirements. That’s a gap we can’t ignore. Sports can be the anchor that not only keeps us fit and healthy but also makes life more social, fun, and fulfilling.

We’re investing in this space and these startups because they’re making sports education and participation easier, more affordable, and culturally relevant. This matters because physical activity is one of the few things proven to improve health outcomes, regardless of age or gender.

We’re also a country that loves to watch sports but doesn’t play enough. If India wants to truly become a sporting nation and win medals on the global stage, we need to build an ecosystem that encourages playing sports early and supports young athletes throughout their journey. That’s why we’re partnering with sports foundations.

Sports isn’t just about playing, it’s about how we choose to show up in life. And we are excited to support these companies who are laying the foundation for a stronger and more active India.