In a country where cricket often grabs the limelight, a quiet but powerful transformation is sweeping through India’s badminton courts—and at the heart of it is a young Bengaluru-based startup called Machaxi.

Founded in 2022 by Pratish Raj, Tushar Raj, and Ashish Anand—three individuals united by a love for sport and a vision to change how India nurtures its grassroots talent—Machaxi is not just building coaching programs. It’s building a movement.

And now, with $1.5 million in fresh funding led by Rainmatter (Zerodha’s investment arm) and badminton icon Prakash Padukone, that movement is about to go national.

Coaching for Every Kid, Not Just the Privileged Few

“We started Machaxi because great coaching shouldn’t be a postcode privilege,” says Pratish Raj, co-founder and CEO. The trio realized that while India had immense sporting talent, access to quality training was often reserved for the lucky few living near elite academies.

Their solution? Build a scalable, AI-enabled coaching platform that blends tech precision with human expertise. The goal: ensure that a child picking up a racquet in a Tier-2 town gets the same quality of coaching as one in Bengaluru.

Backed by Legends, Fueled by Purpose

The presence of Prakash Padukone as both investor and mentor brings more than just star power—it brings legacy. As part of this new chapter, Machaxi has joined hands with the Padukone School of Badminton to launch the “Machaxi x Padukone” program. The ambitious aim? Over 1,000 coaching centres across India in the next 4 years.

“Our collaboration with Padukone sir is not just symbolic—it’s a seal of commitment to quality,” says Ashish Anand, the company’s tech head.

Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai… and Beyond

With the new funding, Machaxi is gearing up to expand into Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai, broadening its footprint beyond Bengaluru. Their centres combine physical training infrastructure with performance-tracking AI tools, offering young athletes a way to understand and improve their game in real time.

But the founders are clear—technology isn’t here to replace coaches. “It’s a coach’s ally,” says Tushar Raj. “Think of it like Iron Man’s suit—it augments talent, doesn’t replace it.”

Making Sports a Career, Not a Hobby

At a time when Indian parents still ask, “But what about studies?” Machaxi is part of a new generation of startups that’s quietly changing the narrative. For first-time players, it’s an entry point. For aspiring professionals, it’s a launchpad.

“We’re not just building a business,” says Pratish. “We’re building belief—in talent, in coaching, and in the possibility that a sporting career can start at a neighborhood court.”

Final Word: The Game Has Only Just Begun

With India’s sporting ambitions rising, and digital infrastructure reshaping how talent is identified and nurtured, Machaxi is swinging hard—and swinging smart.

It’s no longer just about producing the next Sindhu or Srikanth. It’s about making sure every kid with a racquet has a real shot.

And that, perhaps, is the most powerful serve of all.