SportVot, the pioneering sports broadcast, and talent discovery platform, has successfully raised Rs 9.4 crore in a pre-Series A funding round. The funding was led by Omidyar Network India, with participation from Anicut Capital, StartupLynk, Ventana Ventures, and existing investors Capital A, Ankur Capital, SucSEED Indovation Fund, and Marwah Sports.
This funding injection comes on the heels of SportVot’s seed round in 2022, where it secured 3.25 crore from existing investors, highlighting the continued confidence in the startup’s vision and mission. The raised capital will be strategically utilized to amplify opportunities for emerging sports talent while fostering increased sports participation at all levels across India.
Founded in 2019 by Sidhhant Agarwal, Shubhangi Gupta, and Yash Bhagwatkar, SportVot has emerged as a game-changer in the industry, providing a comprehensive suite of online services designed to stream sports events and unearth talent from the grassroots. The Mumbai-based startup has played a pivotal role in transforming sports broadcasting through the deployment of cloud technology.
SportVot’s partnerships with esteemed sports associations, including the Brahmaputra Volleyball League, Maharashtra State Kabaddi Association, Football Delhi Association, and Nashik District Cricket Association, have not only brought investments to local sports communities but have also facilitated the digitization of over 95,000 games from more than 15 sports. This initiative has provided visibility to over 350,000 athletes, breaking down geographical barriers and enabling remote regions to actively participate in the global sports dialogue.
Interestingly, the funding led by Omidyar Network India comes at a time when the investor has decided to wind up its Indian operations. Despite this decision, Omidyar Network India has expressed its commitment to honoring existing commitments for follow-up rounds, emphasizing the importance of initiatives like SportVot in the broader context.
As SportVot looks to deploy the newly acquired funds, the focus will be on enhancing opportunities for emerging sports talent. The startup’s commitment to inclusivity, geographical diversity, and innovative use of technology positions it as a key player in fostering the growth of sports at the grassroots level.
