“If booking a flight on Expedia is so easy, why can’t booking a sports facility be just as effortless?”

– Jonathan Azouri 

Jonathan Azouri, co-founder and CEO of CatchCorner, is dedicated to transforming the ease of booking sports facilities. CatchCorner, North America’s leading app for booking sports venues and activities, reflects Azouri’s ambition to simplify the process, akin to booking a flight. After graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University in 2016, where he made the Dean’s Honor List, Azouri has leveraged his passion for sports and technology to drive his company’s success. In this insightful interview, we gain insights from Jonathan Azouri about his journey from launching CatchCorner in 2019 to partnering with Sports Illustrated and earning a spot on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in 2023. We’ll explore how CatchCorner is democratizing access to sports spaces, supporting local businesses, promoting physical well-being, and building stronger communities through sports.

SM: Jonathan, what inspired you to create CatchCorner, and how did the idea evolve from concept to launch in 2019?

JA: Growing up playing hockey, basketball, and other sports in my hometown of Toronto, I often struggled to find an available rental. It was either fully booked, too far away, or simply too much hassle to coordinate. That frustration sparked an idea. If booking a flight on Expedia is so easy, why can’t booking a sports facility be just as effortless?

So, with that thought in mind, me, my sister Maya Azouri, and my friend Ryan Mintz set out to build CatchCorner. Our goal was simple: to democratize access to sports facilities by making it easy for everyone to find and book nearby spaces. In a world where convenience is king, we wanted to bring that same level of ease and efficiency to the world of sports, ensuring that access to facilities wasn’t just for the few but for everyone.

SM: Can you walk us through how the platform works and the unique services it offers to its users?

JA: CatchCorner often gets compared to Airbnb or OpenTable, each allowing users to find and book nearby experiences. Our mobile and web platform works similarly to showcase a diverse portfolio of facilities in over a dozen North American cities including Toronto, New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Vancouver, and Calgary.

Whether a user is looking for a basketball court, a soccer field, a tennis court, or a hockey rink, CatchCorner provides a seamless experience by listing available venues and time slots near them. Users can browse, compare, and reserve spaces in real time. As the first of its kind, CatchCorner is redefining how communities access and utilize their sports facilities. Our innovative approach leads to an increase in accessibility and participation, making it easier than ever for individuals to connect with and benefit from their local athletic facilities. 

SM: You partnered with Sports Illustrated in 2021, which is a major milestone. How did this collaboration come about, and what impact has it had on the growth and visibility of CatchCorner?

JA: Sports Illustrated is the most trusted name in the world of sports, a brand that has earned the trust of sports enthusiasts for decades. This partnership was a significant milestone for CatchCorner, marking a pivotal moment in our growth.

Our partnership was officially announced in May 2021, enhancing our visibility and credibility, while broadening marketing opportunities. We are incredibly grateful for their collaboration and support, which was instrumental in expanding our platform geographically and successfully expanding across the US market. 

SM: Being named on Forbes 30 Under 30 is an incredible achievement. Can you share how this recognition has influenced your career and the success of CatchCorner?

JA: Both my sister Maya and I were recognized in Forbes for our achievements with CatchCorner in 2023. It’s a huge honor and this accolade validates all the hard work we put into our company. It has opened doors to valuable networking opportunities, attracting the attention of investors, affiliate partners, and influencers who are excited to support our mission.

All in all, being on this prestigious list solidified CatchCorner’s position in the market. But the next day, after soaking in the excitement, all I could think about was how much more work there is to do and to keep on going.

SM: The platform aims to promote physical well-being by democratizing access to sports facilities. What are some of the most significant impacts you’ve seen on local communities and individual health as a result of this?

JA: One of the most significant changes we’ve observed is a marked increase in community engagement and participation in physical activities.

Say you’re a young student in Vancouver and you’re interested in playing soccer this winter but you’re not quite sure if there are any indoor facilities available in or around your neighborhood. Traditionally, finding a spot would involve a time-consuming and frustrating process of calling multiple community centers and checking their availability. Now, with CatchCorner, you can bypass this hassle by using our platform to effortlessly browse through and book nearby indoor soccer field availabilities in just a few clicks. This streamlined approach not only saves one time but also makes it easier to stay active and connect with others in the community, enhancing one’s overall sports experience.

Our platform is a win-win for both users and facilities. Users have an aggregate experience to help them stay active and enjoy playing their favorite sports, while facilities optimize their usage and increase their profitability by listing their available times on the app.

SM: CatchCorner has reported to have expanded across 14 markets with 250,000 monthly users. What have been the biggest challenges and successes in scaling the platform to this level?

JA: We’ve seen exponential growth this past year and it’s not going to slow down any time soon. To date, CatchCorner has generated over $45 million for its affiliate partners, with now over 275,000 monthly active users.

Scaling CatchCorner in 14 North American markets has been both challenging and rewarding. In 2022, we worked with only 50 different facilities. Last year, that jumped to 300. This year in 2024, we’re working with over 850 different sports facilities across Canada and the US. We’re excited to keep this momentum going and explore new growth opportunities.

SM: You emphasize the importance of supporting local businesses in the sports industry. How does CatchCorner specifically help these businesses thrive, and what role does it play in driving economic growth in the sector?

JA: CatchCorner allows businesses to add a valuable channel that reaches a broader audience and increases their visibility. By listing their facilities on CatchCorner, local sports venues, and community centers can attract more spot rental bookings, optimize usage, and generate additional revenue. This increased exposure helps them stay competitive and grow their operations.

SM: Community engagement seems to be a central theme in your work. How does CatchCorner foster connections between people, and why is this aspect of your business so important to you?

JA: CatchCorner is all about connecting people through sports. It allows friends to play in person, fostering relationships and making memories together on and off the court, field or rink. This social aspect of our platform is key, as it turns sports facilities into vibrant hubs where people not only stay active but also strengthen their connections.

SM: Sports and fitness trends are constantly evolving. How do you see the future of sports access changing, and what innovations are you excited to explore next with CatchCorner?

JA: The future of sports access is changing, with more sports being played on the same surfaces. Recently, we’ve seen a bunch of facilities adding pickleball, for example, which can be played on the same surfaces that are already offered. Facilities meet the demand where it’s at and follow these sports and fitness trends. 

As technology improves in general, we’re excited to leverage new technologies and innovations to enhance user experience, making sports more accessible and convenient while also providing facilities with valuable insights to optimize their operations and engage with their communities more effectively.

SM: Lastly, what advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs who want to make a meaningful impact in the sports tech industry? 

JA: My advice would be to do tons of research constantly. Start by understanding the needs and pain points of your target market. Successful innovations often arise from addressing real problems or enhancing existing experiences. Listen to the market and pivot if need be.

“Successful innovations often arise from addressing real problems or enhancing existing experiences. Listen to the market and pivot if need be.”

– Jonathan Azouri 

Links

• LinkedIn
• Website

Share Your Insights

We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts and engage with our community by answering these questions in the comments below:

• What do you think of CatchCorner’s approach to making sports facility booking easier?
• How do you believe technology can further improve access to community sports?
• What features would you like to see in future sports tech innovations?

Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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