Zaheer Khan Invests in Sports Tech Startup Machaxi
Former Indian cricketer Zaheer Khan has joined Ecosystem Ventures as an anchor investor in Machaxi, a sports tech startup. Machaxi, founded by Pratish Raj, Tushar Raj, and Ashish Anand, aims to redefine sports engagement through a leasing model. The company acquires existing private sports centers, rebrands them, upgrades them with technology, and transforms them into hubs for sports enthusiasts.
Machaxi currently operates 25 centers in Bangalore and trains over 2,000 children monthly. The company partners with Olympian Nisha Millet, setting new standards in sports training and facilities. Their focus involves school partnerships and community outreach to attract young athletes and increase sports participation.
Zaheer Khan expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “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.”
Nikhil Kaushik, Partner at Ecosystem Ventures, added, “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.”
Ecosystem Ventures (ESV) is an early-stage fund founded in 2020 by Abhishek Sanghvi, investing in Pre-Series A rounds with a portfolio IRR of over 50% to date.
