Quidich Innovation Labs, a sports broadcasting technology startup, has raised an undisclosed amount in a Series A funding round led by Centre Court Capital, a venture capital firm focused on sports tech and gaming, backed by the Sajjan Jindal Family Trust. The newly raised funds will be utilized to expand Quidich’s reach across new sports and geographies and further develop its technology stack.
Founded in 2013 by Rahat Kulshreshtha and Gaurav Mehta as a drone startup, Quidich pivoted to enhancing live sports broadcasting in 2019 through advanced technological solutions, including specialized camera systems, computer vision, and augmented reality. Rahat Kulshreshtha, co-founder of Quidich, stated, “Once we got into sports, our entire focus has been on building layers of technology using artificial intelligence, computer vision, and the power of game engines to be able to build very interesting storytelling tools and applications for broadcast.”
Quidich has established itself as a key technology partner to prominent clients such as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), International Cricket Council (ICC), Sky Sports, Sunset+Vine in the UK, Channel 7 in Australia, and SuperSport in South Africa. The company has recently opened offices in London and the United Arab Emirates.
Mustafa Ghouse, General Partner at Centre Court Capital, remarked, “As sports broadcast technology undergoes a sector-wide transformation, broadcasters and leagues are searching for partners to guide them into a new era. We believe that Quidich’s dedication and unwavering commitment to quality, demonstrated through their consistent pursuit of excellence in cricket broadcasting, positions them as the leaders for this transformation.”
In a recent media release, Quidich unveiled ‘HypeReality,’ a product created in collaboration with the International Cricket Council (ICC). HypeReality is designed to redefine sports fan engagement by bringing the electrifying atmosphere of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 directly into homes around the globe. Utilizing the latest in immersive content technology, the Apple Vision Pro, this product promises to deliver an unparalleled level of excitement and immersion to its users.
Rahat Kulshreshtha expressed enthusiasm about the investment, saying, “We are thrilled to have Centre Court Capital come on board as investors. Beyond critical funding, they bring a legacy of sporting excellence and a shared belief in the transformative power of technology in sports. We are united in our goal to redefine the global sports viewing experience and are confident that with Centre Court Capital by our side, the game is about to change in ways we’ve only dreamt of.”
The sports media rights market, currently valued at $56 billion, is projected to grow to $114 billion by 2030, driven by advancements in technology. Quidich is poised to capitalize on this opportunity by continuing to develop state-of-the-art solutions that revolutionize sports broadcasting and elevate the fan experience.