Cricketing
legend Zaheer Khan has participated in Ecosystem Venture’s Pre-Series A
investment in the sports tech startup Machaxi. Founded by Pratish Raj, Tushar
Raj, and Ashish Anand, Machaxi is redefining sports engagement through a unique leasing
model by acquiring existing private sports
centers. These centers are
rebranded, upgraded, and optimized with best-in-class infrastructure and
technology, creating thriving hubs for sports enthusiasts. Their vision behind Machaxi
has been to increase the
penetration of sports in the country.
Through a mix
of school partnerships, community outreach programs, and localized sports
center dominance, they attract and retain young athletes. Machaxi trains over
2,000 kids monthly across its 25 centers in Bangalore. Partnered with Olympian
Nisha Millet, they have set new standards in sports training and
facilities.
Zaheer Khan
enthusiastically said, "Sports are about passion, discipline, and
community. Machaxi’s vision of making quality sports facilities accessible
through smart tech solutions deeply resonates with me. I’m excited to be part
of their journey and contribute to building a stronger sports ecosystem in
India."
Adding to
this, Nikhil Kaushik, Partner at Ecosystem Ventures, said: "At ESV, we
don’t just invest money—we invest thought, connections, and purpose. Bringing
Zaheer Khan on board wasn’t just about his name; it was about his passion for
sports and his ability to inspire. We believe the right investors bring more than capital—they bring credibility and vision. With Zaheer
as an anchor investor, Machaxi is set to make an even bigger impact on India’s
sports landscape."
About Ecosystem Ventures:
Ecosystem Ventures
(ESV) is an early-stage fund, investing
$250K to $1 million in Pre-Series A rounds. Founded in 2020 by Abhishek
Sanghvi, ESV has made 19 investments with an exceptional track record—50%+ IRR
at a portfolio level without a single write-off till date.