Gone are the days when rounding up neighborhood kids for a game of cricket was a breeze. As adults, finding equally skilled sports companions can pose a challenge. Sudeep Kulkarni, Founder of Game Theory, reflects on this dilemma, noting, “Playing sports can be really hard. The question is who do you play with… even if you play with a group of friends, sometimes they might not even be of the same skill level.”
In 2018, Kulkarni, along with Sukrut Gejji and Saket Gejji, founded Game Theory, a sports-tech startup on a mission to address this issue. The 14-member team developed a platform that matches users with players of comparable skill levels in various sports. Currently operational in Bengaluru, Game Theory focuses on sports like badminton, swimming, and squash.
Skill assessment lies at the heart of Game Theory’s methodology. Utilizing computer vision technology, the startup precisely measures players’ proficiency levels on the court. Unlike traditional categorizations of beginner, intermediate, or expert, Game Theory employs a nuanced approach, analyzing players’ skills through video recordings. These scores continuously evolve based on performance, akin to rankings on platforms like chess.com.
With over 17,000 users utilizing its smart courts across nine locations, Game Theory emphasizes data privacy alongside data analysis. Recent acquisition of Matchday.ai, a sports analytics company, further enhances its matchmaking capabilities through automated data collection.
Game Theory’s user-friendly app, available on both Android and iOS platforms, boasts a 4.5 rating on the Google Play Store. In addition to facilitating game bookings and court reservations, the app allows users to monitor their performance and share match recordings on social media.
Securing $2 million in seed funding led by Rainmatter Capital, Game Theory demonstrates promising growth potential in India’s burgeoning sports-tech market. Nithin Kamath, Founder of Rainmatter Capital, became involved with the startup after a chance encounter on a smart court, fostering ongoing collaboration.
Looking ahead, Game Theory envisions expanding its technological prowess to encompass a wider array of racquet sports. While current operations remain concentrated in Bengaluru, the company eyes steady growth within the city while enhancing its offerings to include sports like tennis and paddle tennis.
As Game Theory continues to redefine sports matchmaking, its innovative approach promises to reshape how athletes connect and compete, heralding a new era of inclusive and equitable sports participation.
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