From Nikhil Kamath to PhonePe’s Rahul Chari: Meet the startup founders who are redefining the future of sports ownership in India
2025-04-29T09:06:57Z
Indian startup founders and venture capitalists are increasingly investing in sports teams, from eSports to pickleball, seeking community building and brand visibility beyond financial returns. This trend signals a shift towards hands-on startup builders rede…
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From Zerodha’s Nikhil Kamath to PhonePe’s Sameer Nigam and Rahul Chari , a rising wave of Indian startup founders and venture capitalists are buying stakes in sports teams — signaling a strategic shift in how entrepreneurs are diversifying their investments.For these founders, sports franchises offer more than financial returns. They’re platforms for community building, brand visibility, and long-term value creation. And the trend isn’t confined to cricket or football — it extends to emerging leagues in esports, volleyball, and even pickleball. If this model succeeds, it could redefine sports ownership in India, favoring hands-on startup builders over celebrities or large conglomerates.Among the notable moves: Accel ’s Prashanth Prakash, Kamath, and Curefoods’ Ankit Nagori co-own the Bengaluru Badgers in the Global eCricket Premier League ( GEPL ), an esports initiative by JetSynthesys. Swiggy , along with cricketer Rishabh Pant , owns Mumbai Pickle Power in the World Pickleball League, while PhonePe’s Nigam and Chari acquired the Mumbai Meteors in the Prime Volleyball League.These investors bring a founder’s mindset to sports — approaching team ownership much like launching a startup. “We intentionally positioned GEPL to attract builders — founders and VCs who understand zero-to-one growth and scaling ecosystems,” said Rajan Navani, CEO of JetSynthesys.Prakash echoed the sentiment, noting his GEPL investment was driven by startup-style analysis. “We assessed the right to win — whether the tech creates a sustainable moat — and whether the product appeals to Gen Z for the next decade,” he told The Times of India. Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan, an early JetSynthesys backer, sees this shift as part of a larger sports-tech convergence. “We need to rethink how the digital and physical worlds merge,” he said. “Leagues like GEPL are creating new economic ecosystems — players, owners, leagues, and sponsors that didn’t exist before.”Navani emphasized that investors like Kamath and Prakash are deeply involved. “They’re not just financial backers — they bring early-stage thinking, brand building, community focus, and a global vision,” he said. “Unlike traditional corporate owners, these founders are hands-on and long-term in their commitment.”
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