SportVot is a multisport OTT platform revolutionizing the sports broadcasting landscape. We bring grassroots, community sports, and lower-tier matches to viewers, showcasing emerging athletes in action. With SportVot, sports bodies and tournament organizers can effortlessly broadcast games, engage their local communities, and monetize through viewership and advertisements. Our platform offers an ESPN-like experience, boasting premium TV grade graphics and interactive live streaming. Leveraging the SportVot studio and smartphones, our cloud-based solution caters to sports organizations of all sizes, enabling hassle-free broadcasting without the need for specific hardware.
What inspired the creation of SportVot ?
In 2019, I co-founded SportVot alongside Mr. Yash Bhagwatkar and Ms. Shubhangi Gupta. Our motivation stemmed from our experience evaluating IPL player performances, which highlighted the absence of a structured talent discovery process in grassroots sports across India. This realization struck us when a cricketer sought our assistance in analyzing his career statistics. To address this gap, we established SportVot—an innovative platform offering real-time, precise statistics and video data for grassroots sports. Our goal is to promote talent discovery and development by providing live streaming of local matches and comprehensive player data tracking.
How does SportVot differentiates itself from other sports streaming platforms?
SportVot is the ultimate solution for hassle-free live streaming of sports matches. It offers convenient and accessible streaming with minimal resources and upfront investment. Setting up and getting started is quick and easy. Moreover, SportVot enables tournament organizers and sports bodies to monetize matches, while athletes can discover enhanced playing opportunities. This benefits all stakeholders, adding significant value to the sports community.
SportVot focuses on discovering sports talent from the grassroots level in India. How does the platform facilitate this process and what impact has it had on young athletes and the development of sports in the country?
SportVot offers live streaming of local games and utilizes player data to create digital profiles. These profiles provide detailed statistics and match videos, making it easy for scouts and team associations to assess talent in specific locations using their mobile devices. The SportVot app was instrumental in the selection of the Mumbai Upnagar Kabaddi women’s team for the State Championship, providing performance analysis data from past games. This demonstrates the growing adoption of technology in scouting and selection processes by associations, promoting fairness, accurate evaluation, and transparency in sports.
Could you highlight some of the company’s proudest achievements or the moments that have shaped its success?
Securing seed round funding in August 2022 enabled our expansion and connection with sports communities in new geographies. We streamed 264 games across 5 sports from diverse locations, including remote areas in Assam and rural villages in Maharashtra, making our technology accessible to all. In January, we introduced the DS3 sports club for football and scouted talent through our performance analysis technology. DS3 registered a clean sweep victory and got promoted to the Super Division, showcasing our commitment to creating opportunities for emerging footballers in Mumbai.
In recent years, online streaming has gained immense popularity. How has SportVot leveraged this trend to engage sports enthusiasts and reach a wider audience?
We offer affordable and accessible sports streaming worldwide. With just a smartphone and internet connection, anyone can stream live matches. Our cloud studio brings professional broadcasting features to mobile phones. By embracing the online streaming trend, we reached a wider audience. Our user-friendly interface and diverse content, including live matches and player profiles, captivated fans and athletes alike. This expanded our reach and created a platform for sports enthusiasts everywhere.
What are some notable industry trends you have observed in the sports streaming sector in India?
India’s sports streaming industry has made significant strides, enhancing the viewing experience for fans. Regional platforms have emerged, catering to diverse language preferences. Social media integration has revolutionized engagement with interactive features and live chats. Mobile sports streaming has gained popularity, thanks to smartphones and affordable data plans. Exclusive broadcasting rights have intensified competition, resulting in better content and more sports options for Indian viewers. These developments reflect the evolving sports streaming landscape, meeting the dynamic preferences of enthusiasts nationwide.
What advice would you give aspiring startup founders looking to enter India’s sports streaming or talent discovery space?
As SportVot’s founder, my advice to Indian sports streaming and talent discovery startup founders is to prioritize differentiation and partnerships. Firstly, find a unique selling point that sets your platform apart, offering innovative features, exclusive content, or personalized user experiences. Secondly, form strategic partnerships with sports organizations, leagues, and talent agencies to enhance credibility and gain access to exclusive content and talent. In a rapidly growing market like India, standing out and building strong alliances are key to staying ahead.
What are some future plans or initiatives that SportVot has in the pipeline to further revolutionise India’s streaming and talent discovery landscape?
We aim to expand our presence in India by exploring new regions and sports. While we have focused on Cricket, Kabaddi, and Football primarily in Maharashtra and Delhi, our goal is to cover a wider range of geographies and athletic disciplines. This expansion will enable us to streamline the talent discovery process for aspiring athletes across the country, providing them with greater opportunities to showcase their skills and potential. By venturing into new territories and embracing diverse sports, we strive to foster the growth and development of emerging talent in India.