Not only do they rule the field, they have mingled their passion with businesses. The startup buzz is sure to take all of them within it, not even sparing the Indian Sportsmen. However, the efforts by all of them is noteworthy. Check out 15 Indian Sportsmen in the startup world. These Indian Sportsmen will inspire you for sure!
1. Virat Kohli
This dynamite on cricket grounds has invested in numerous startups. Virat Kholi has invested in a chain of fitness centres and gymnasiums called Chisel, associated with Franchise India. The firm aims to expand to a total of 100 centres in number by the year 2018. He holds 30% stake in the startup after the investment. He also launched his startup Stepathlon Kids to promote fitness among kids.
Also, not only has he showed his interest in fitness, fashion is also one of his choices. He launched his fashion brand called Wrogn. He is the co-owner of football club FC Goa.
2. Robin Uthappa
Robin Uthappa invested an undisclosed amount in healthcare startup HealthEminds. Before this, he invested 1.5cr in Bangalore-based iTiffin, online tiffin delivery portal. However, the market is rife with news that iTiffin might shutdown.
3. Sachin Tendulkar
The master blaster is known to have invested in multiple startups. Recently, he invested in Smartron India, a startup which is working on Internet of Things, and ultimately became the brand ambassador of the company. He owns 7.5% stake of Musafir, an online travel portal based in UAE.
Along with that, he holds stakes in companies like Drive, Sach and Universal Collectabilia( India’s first celebrity-commerce company.)
4. Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh has won hearts not by hitting six sixes in an over, but also by his courageous struggle against cancer. He found the “YouWeCan” Ventures LLP in 2015 to promote entrepreneurship and startup culture and to establish an excellent startup community.
Until now, YouWeCan has funded Delhi-based education startup, Edukart, wellness startup, Vyomo, Bangalore-based portal for jets and helicopters, JetSetGo, Healthians, Sports365, SportyBeans , Moovo and Carl’s Jr chain.
5. Kapil Dev
The greatest pace bowler of former Indian Cricket team, Kapil Dev launched SloPho in the year 2014. SloPho is an interesting mobile app that has various contests, exciting polls, and quizzes for its users and points are redeemed by the users.
He also invested in online grocery store, PeopleEasy.com as an angel investor. In 2005, he held a 5 percent stake in Zicom Electronics. Kapil Dev, along with Siddharth Mehta, founder of Bay Capital Partners and others, invested $3 Mn in SAMCO Ventures.
6. Saina Nehwal
The Queen of Badminton in India, apart from her excellent play, has also invested in different ventures. She became the brand ambassador of Soothe Healthcare and invested in women’s personal care (Paree sanitary pads). It is among the top suppliers of sanitary pads under National Health Mission.
7. Anil Kumble
Anil Kumble has not only excelled in Cricket, but has also played a major role in the field of entrepreneurship. He founded a sports training and consultation company, TENVIC Sports in the year 2010. He founded this startup with Vasanth Bharadwaj, Table Tennis player.
The firm’s mission is to provide proper training to students at grassroot level. It provides coaching and mentoring to businesses related to sports and also help sportspeople develop a better insight. Schools like DPS and Pearson are already associated with it.
8. Umesh Yadav
Umesh Yadav stepped into the startup community by investing an undisclosed amount in a fashion portal, Fashionove, based in Kolkata. It is a marketplace for local boutiques to exchange and transact products.
9. Abhinav Bindra
Olympic Gold Medalist, Abhinav Bindra has started a venture capital fund called Shooting Star LLP. This incubation fund invests in numerous startups. The initial investment was as high as $2 Mn.
The fund is mainly used for field related to sports like emerging sports, advanced equipment and training, health apps, organic and healthy foods and diary, rehab and sports academics.
10. Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Captain Fantastic of the Indian Cricket team is closely associated with startup culture since 2012. Being the co-founder of the fitness brand, SportsFit World Pvt Ltd, he has co-founded many other startups like Sahara India Pariwar. He is also the co-owner of Ranchi hockey club based in Ranchi. In addition, he is the co-owner of Football club based in Chennai, Chennaiyin FC, along with Vita Dani and Abhishek Bachchan.
Because of tons of obstacles in his life before he succeeded, Dhoni’s leadership, style and attitude has influenced startup owners and entrepreneurs greatly.
11. Mahesh Bhupati
First of all, Mahesh Bhupati founded Globospot, entertainment and sports marketing company. The firm has its headquarters in Mumbai and has offices in Hyderabad, Bangalore, Delhi and in abroad as well.
Mahesh Bhupati invested in Sports365, e-commerce portal that specializes in sports goods and fitness equipment. With two successful ventures in his hand, Mahesh Bhupati also founded the International Premier Tennis League. This move aims to bring high quality and standard tennis in Asia.
12. Sharath Gayakwad
This Indian Paralympic swimmer has not only astonished us with his performance in the waters, but has been a real inspiration in the startup field also. He is the founder of Gamatics, which fulfills the basic requirements of swimmers by providing them with practice gears and equipment. It is a platform where they aim to build a community which includes nutritionists and physiotherapist and young talents who can share ideas and prosper.
13. Sunil Gavaskar
“The Little Master”, Sunil Gavaskar along with Sumedh Shah founded India’s first Sports Management CompanyProfessional Management Group in 1985. Its services are not just limited to cricket, it covers various other games like archery, water sports, golf and horse-racing.
Sports Management was completely a new concept back then, and his initiative is worth appreciating.
14. Zaheer Khan
Inspired from Kapil Dev, Sachin Tendulkar or Saurav Ganguly, Zaheer Khan also launched his own signature brand of restaurant known as ZK in Pune in the year 2005. From cricket to food, Zaheer is sure to impress people.
15. Virender Shewag
After trying food business like several other renowned cricketers, Virender Shewag has taken a unique move thereafter. He started a school, Shewag International School in Haryana, which focuses in the all-round development of students and motivates them to pursue their passion. And of course, especially relevant is that the school focuses on sports, games and physical fitness.
Really Cool! Share your views in the comment section.
Rashika Daga
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