We talked to Jonathan Azouri, co-founder of CatchCorner - an innovative app designed to be the Airbnb of sports. Founded with his sister Maya, the company has generated over $45 million for its affiliate partners across North America and boasts a little over 250,000 monthly active users. It also earned the siblings a coveted spot on the Forbes' 30 Under 30 list for Sports.
Can you tell us how CatchCorner got started and the concept behind it
CatchCorner was co-founded in 2018 with the goal to be able to rent a sports facility in just a few clicks. It was a love for hockey and a lack of available space in my hometown of Toronto that motivated me to launch this platform with my sister Maya and friend Ryan Mintz. It wasn't until the evolution of booking platforms like Google Flights or Open Table, that we saw an opportunity to create something that could revolutionize the sports and recreation space.
How has the company progressed since it launched?
CatchCorner has grown in so many ways since we launched. We’ve expanded our portfolio of facilities, working with nearly 800 venues now, including private facilities, municipalities, schools, religious institutions, community centers and more. We’ve expanded our geographic reach, as well, launching in 14 cities across Canada and the US.
In 2021, CatchCorner announced its partnership with Sports Illustrated. In 2023, the founders were recognized on Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
Today, we continue to grow in markets including New York, Boston and Los Angeles, boasting over 275,000 monthly users and generating over $45 million for our affiliate partners.
How does CatchCorner make sports facilities more accessible?
CatchCorner makes sports facilities more accessible by leveraging a user-friendly platform that simplifies the booking process. Our app is available on every platform, both desktop and mobile for Apple and Android users.
Users can easily browse, search and book various sports facilities like courts and fields in their city. This eliminates the hassle of traditional booking methods, saving time and ensuring immediate access to world-class venues.
CatchCorner also benefits sports facilities by boosting their visibility and revenue potential, particularly during slower periods. By listing their facilities on our platform, facilities attract a broader range of users who may not have been aware of their offerings otherwise.
Do you notice certain sports or playing surfaces are more in demand right now? How does seasonality impact booking trends for sports facilities on your platform?
The data for sports differs tremendously by geographic location - in Toronto, where we started out, hockey is a more popular sport. In New York, we see soccer, basketball and volleyball among the more in-demand. Demand naturally also follows the market trends, with pickleball, padel and racquet sports being particularly hot right now. Facilities manage to avoid seasonality by having multiple offerings.
What are some future developments or features that CatchCorner is working on to enhance the user experience?
CatchCorner is always working to enhance user experience, and our features are constantly being updated. While we work with nearly 800 facilities across North America, we are ultimately a user experience platform. With a sleek user experience and interface, our app allows users to easily see what is being booked, sign a contract, and pay, all during the checkout process.
What advice would you offer entrepreneurs looking to scale their startup, based on CatchCorner's own journey?
My personal advice is to find a formula that works very well before beginning to scale drastically. My advice based on experience is to be aware that the formula will still need many tweaks as the company expands. And finally, my advice as a CEO is never ask others to do tasks that you haven’t first done yourself. If you do, you may lose track of quality assurance as the operation scales.
