GoRally, a Bengaluru-based pickleball chain, has successfully secured $750,000 (approximately ₹6.6 crore) in a pre-seed funding round aimed at accelerating the growth of pickleball across India. The funding round was led by Sujeet Kumar, co-founder of Udaan, with participation from notable investors including Mohit Kumar and Vatsal Singhal (founders of Ultrahuman), Viren Singhvi (former CFO of American Razor Safety Co.), Kartik Kapoor (East Africa Racquet Sports), Abhishek Goyal (founder and CEO of Tracxn), Deepak Singh (founder and CEO of Gameskraft and AnzyGlobal), Arjun Vaidya (founder of V3 Ventures and Dr. Vaidya’s), Bharat Founders Fund, an IIT Delhi syndicate, and several U.S.-based investors.
Expansion Plans
Founded in February 2024 by Sam Sancheti and Abhinav Shankar, GoRally has rapidly established itself as a leader in India's burgeoning pickleball scene. The company currently operates four centers in Bengaluru, featuring 15 courts, including a flagship 15,000-square-foot indoor facility near Indiranagar. With a thriving community of over 4,000 members, GoRally plans to utilize the new funding to expand to eight centers, comprising 40 pickleball courts and two padel courts by April 2025. Notably, the upcoming GoRally Whitefield center will be a 40,000-square-foot indoor pickleball-padel arena.
Technological Advancements and Community Engagement
To enhance the player experience, GoRally is set to launch a tech platform this month designed to streamline community interactions, including its popular 'Open-Play' format. The company is also expanding its coaching services, employing Karnataka's top two players as full-time coaches, and is strengthening its equipment retail business by distributing renowned brands like Joola.
Investor Confidence
Lead investor Sujeet Kumar expressed confidence in GoRally's vision, stating, "Sam and Abhinav have built something truly special. Their passion and relentless execution are evident in how quickly they've scaled. With their tech-driven approach and deep focus on community engagement, GoRally is redefining how people experience the game."
Founders' Vision
Co-founder Sam Sancheti highlighted the growing demand for inclusive sports spaces, noting, "The hunger for inclusive, welcoming sports spaces is unprecedented. Pickleball's rise in 2024 exceeded even our most ambitious expectations. Our mission is to continue building best-in-class, accessible facilities, events, and tech-driven platforms that foster a sense of community."
Abhinav Shankar added, "Our goal is to get the next 10 million Indians playing sports. We're just scratching the surface of what's possible. Pickleball has become more than just a sport—it's a social phenomenon. This round sets the foundation for the next phase of our journey."