Persistent Systems Partners with San Francisco Unicorns as Official Re(AI)magining™ Partner

Persistent Systems Partners with San Francisco Unicorns

Persistent Systems, recognized as a global leader in digital engineering and enterprise modernization, has recently announced a groundbreaking partnership with the Major League Cricket's (MLC) San Francisco Unicorns. As the official Re(AI)magining™ partner for the 2026 season, this collaboration aims to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven innovations within high-performance sports settings. The agreement underscores Persistent's commitment to enhancing speed, adaptability, and insights that can lead to success in competitive environments.

This partnership is also a strategic move by Persistent to strengthen its AI capabilities in North America, further connecting with clients that operate in real-time, data-intensive settings. The initiative will be prominently featured in the #GameReAImagined campaign, exploring the critical role that AI can play in enhancing performance insights on the field and creating deeper fan engagement off the field.

As an official partner, Persistent will work closely with the Unicorns to explore opportunities in data, AI, and fan experiences, expanding the relationship beyond mere sponsorship into potential areas of innovation. With the MLC quickly gaining traction in key U.S. markets, this partnership is positioned to showcase how intelligence, analytics, and technology can reshape both performance and fan culture.

Persistent’s visibility will be enhanced across team and digital platforms, showcasing the partnership as an integrated engagement strategy. This includes brand presence through on-field advertisements, team jersey branding, and a dedicated content platform called the “Persistent Coaches' Corner.” Together, these elements will merge on-field visibility with effective storytelling and curated interactions. Additionally, there will be a dedicated hospitality suite designed to facilitate interactions with clients and partners in a high-performance context, featuring exclusive, invitation-only experiences for deeper engagement.

Sandeep Kalra, the CEO of Persistent, emphasizes that just like in business, cricket is evolving into a game where intelligence is as critical as execution. He noted that the ability to transform data into real-time insights increasingly determines the difference between good and great outcomes. This partnership embodies the vision of redefining how AI creates advantages, especially in performance environments where every decision counts. He expressed excitement over the potential to explore new avenues through AI for enhancing performance, strategy, and fan involvement.

David White, CEO of the San Francisco Unicorns, commented on the rapidly evolving nature of sports, where data and technology play an increasingly vital role in team preparation, competition, and fan interactions. He sees this partnership with Persistent as an opportunity to explore innovative ways to apply these capabilities in performance and strategy, ultimately enhancing the fan experience as cricket continues to grow in the United States.

About the San Francisco Unicorns

The San Francisco Unicorns were established in 2023 as one of the six founding teams of Major League Cricket (MLC), a revolutionary T20 competition aiming to introduce top cricket talent to the U.S. market. The team features Australian internationals Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk, New Zealander Finn Allen, and 2019 Cricket World Cup winner Liam Plunkett. Their high-performance partner is Cricket Victoria, the governing body for cricket in the state of Victoria, Australia.

Primary investors in the team include Silicon Valley entrepreneurs Anand Rajaraman and Venky Harinarayan, founding partners of the data-driven venture capital firm rocketship.vc. They previously founded the database technology provider Junglee, which sold for $250 million to Amazon in 1998.

About Persistent Systems

Established as a global services and solutions company, Persistent Systems (BSE: 533179; NSE: PERSISTENT) specializes in providing AI-driven, platform-based digital engineering and enterprise modernization. With a workforce of over 27,500 employees across 21 countries, Persistent is dedicated to innovation and customer success. Their comprehensive service portfolio includes software engineering, product development, data and analytics, customer experience transformation, cloud computing, and intelligent automation. The company is listed in key indices including the MSCI India Index, and has achieved CO2 neutrality, reinforcing their commitment to sustainability. Persistent has also been recognized by Newsweek and the Plant A Insights Group as one of “America's Greatest Workplaces for Inclusion & Diversity 2025,” showcasing its dedication to ethical practices and social responsibility.

With a robust 468% brand growth since 2020, Persistent ranks as the fastest-growing IT services brand in the “Brand Finance India 100” report for 2025. For more details, please visit www.persistent.com.