Recently, we interacted with Mr. Vishal Lunia, Co-founder – PlayAll Sports, a unique tech-focussed startup that is infusing innovation and tech solutions into sports.
Mr. Vishal Lunia and Jayant Surana, Co-Founders of PlayAll Sports
Here are the interview highlights:
- Brief us about PlayAll and its journey.
PlayAll was founded in 2018 by Vishal and Jayant. Vishal’s prior experience at Sportido, a sports booking platform, gave him valuable insights into the need for accessible sports options. In response to this need, they established PlayAll and opened their first 4-court badminton center in Noida. Despite the challenges, their dedication to providing quality sports facilities led to rapid growth.
Over the years, PlayAll has expanded its offerings, adding sports like football, box-cricket, swimming, pickleball, and table tennis. What began as a team of two has grown to more than 70 individuals, all driven by a shared passion for sports.
Despite facing setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, PlayAll has persevered and is now positioned for significant expansion. With 10 centers and a diverse range of sports on offer, PlayAll has become a trusted name in the industry. The company’s vision extends beyond just sports infrastructure; they are also committed to making sports accessible through technology solutions and infrastructural development.
Currently, PlayAll boasts an impressive track record, including 10 successful sports complexes across NCR, Raipur, and Jaipur, serving over 43,000 customers monthly. Their client base extends to more than 100 corporate clients, including major companies like TCS, HCL, Siemens, and McKinsey. Through their web and mobile app SAAS, PlayAll has streamlined the booking process and is integrated with major online platforms.
Looking ahead, PlayAll is poised for rapid expansion across India, with a mission to make sports accessible to all. Their key focus areas include sports infrastructure management, sports technology, and sports infrastructure development. PlayAll’s journey exemplifies their dedication to enhancing sports accessibility and promoting a healthier, more active India.
- In how many cities PlayAll is present and do you plan on expanding it to other locations?
We are currently in 7 cities including Delhi, Jaipur, Noida, Gurgaon, Raipur, Greater Noida, and Faridabad. We are looking to add more centers in these cities. We are also looking at Kolkata, Guwahati, Chennai for expansion.
- Why did you prioritize this particular industry apart from any other?
We’ve prioritized the sports industry because we see it as a pivotal part of India’s burgeoning fitness revolution. As the middle class continues to prosper, the desire for improved fitness levels is growing. Sports not only contributes to physical fitness but also fosters deeper bonds among individuals, offering an avenue to connect with friends. Our vision extends beyond the immediate horizon – we foresee a remarkable shift in sports participation, potentially rising from the current 1% to an impressive 30% over the next 10-15 years. We believe that by promoting sports, we are not just promoting fitness but also building a more closely connected India. Moreover, this industry holds significant potential for the creation of billion-dollar companies. The increasing interest in sports, coupled with innovative approaches to sports complexes and management, presents exciting opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors to tap into this dynamic market and establish transformative ventures.
- What is the distinguishing factor of PlayAll which puts it ahead of its competitors?
At PlayAll, we take immense pride in our ability to deliver an unparalleled sports experience, and this is made possible through several key distinguishing factors. Firstly, our commitment to best-in-class sports infrastructure strategically located in prime locations ensures that our facilities are easily accessible and of the highest quality. Moreover, our relentless focus on customer service sets us apart. We continuously gather feedback, meticulously monitor operations, and provide comprehensive training across the board to ensure that every interaction with our customers is exceptional.
Furthermore, technology plays a pivotal role in enhancing the overall experience. We utilize cutting-edge technology to streamline the process of booking and playing a sport, making it as seamless as possible. This not only saves time for our customers but also enhances their overall enjoyment.
What truly sets us apart is our comprehensive ecosystem. We offer much more than just a place to play sports. From coaching programs to convenient pay-and-play options, from exciting tournaments to engaging corporate events, and even ventures into sports tech, cafes, and product pro shops, we have created a holistic sports environment. This means that customers can find everything they need for their sporting journey under one roof. It’s this combination of top-notch infrastructure, outstanding customer service, technological innovation, and a complete sports ecosystem that positions PlayAll as a leader in the industry, providing a superior experience that stands out from the competition.
- How do plan on making Play All a premier sports infrastructure management company within the next five years?
Our strategy to establish PlayAll as the premier sports infrastructure management company within the next five years is rooted in a two-pronged approach. First, we aim to go wide by expanding our presence across multiple cities in India. Our ambitious goal is to have 100 centers operational within this timeframe. By doing so, we intend to make high-quality sports facilities easily accessible to a wider audience, further fueling the fitness revolution in India.Simultaneously, we plan to go deep into each vertical of our operations. This involves developing world-class curricula for various sports disciplines to elevate our coaching programs to a global standard. We believe that by offering top-notch coaching, we can nurture the talent of aspiring athletes and sports enthusiasts.Additionally, we are committed to creating a diverse range of sports wellness programs tailored for the corporate sector. These programs not only promote physical fitness but also enhance team cohesion and employee well-being.
Furthermore, technology is at the core of our strategy. We intend to leverage AI to provide a better pay-and-play experience, incorporating features like automatic scoring and detailed statistics. This not only enhances the convenience for our customers but also adds a layer of sophistication to their sports activities.
In essence, our vision for the next five years is to both expand our reach and deepen our impact. By combining wider accessibility with high-quality coaching, corporate wellness initiatives, and cutting-edge technology, we aim to solidify PlayAll’s position as the premier sports infrastructure management company, contributing significantly to the fitness and sports landscape in India.
- What challenges did you come across while establishing your startup in this industry?
When we embarked on the journey of establishing PlayAll in the sports infrastructure industry, we encountered several significant challenges. The first challenge was the industry itself being relatively new, which meant that schools and landowners were initially hesitant to lease their land for sports complexes. This limited our options and required us to work persistently to gain their trust and cooperation.
Another substantial hurdle was the capital-intensive nature of our business. Raising the necessary funds for our initial projects was a daunting task, especially as a startup. We had to explore various avenues and convince investors of the long-term potential of our venture.
Lastly, both of us, the co-founders, are CAs with promising career paths ahead. Transitioning from stable jobs to entrepreneurship was a significant personal and familial challenge. Convincing our families about the merits of this entrepreneurial path and taking the leap required a great deal of determination and persuasive effort.
7.What advice would you like to give to people who are trying to start their own sports-based startup?
- Find Your Niche and Excel: In the world of sports-based startups, it’s often wise to start small and become a big fish in a small pond. Identify a niche within the sports industry that you are passionate about and can excel in. Develop expertise and excellence in that niche before expanding into broader markets. This focused approach allows you to establish a strong foothold and build a reputation for quality.
- Cultivate Resilience and Persistence: Resilience and persistence are non-negotiable skills for any entrepreneur, especially in the sports industry. Expect challenges and setbacks along the way, but never lose sight of your goals. Develop the ability to bounce back from adversity and keep moving forward. It’s these qualities that will see you through the toughest times.
- Embrace Continuous Learning: The sports industry is dynamic and constantly evolving. To stay competitive, approach your startup with a mindset of continuous improvement. Encourage a culture of learning and innovation within your team. By constantly seeking ways to enhance your offerings and adapt to changing trends, you’ll position your startup for long-term growth and success.
