Virat Kohli is one of the most successful and influential cricketers in the world. He is the former captain of the Indian cricket team across all formats and the Indian Premier League (IPL) team Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). He has scored more than 26,000 runs in international cricket and has won several prestigious awards, including the ICC ODI Player of the Year in 2012, 2017, and 2018. He is also known for his impeccable style, charisma, and philanthropy.
Apart from his cricketing achievements, Kohli is also a savvy investor and entrepreneur. He has a net worth of ₹1065 crore ($128 million) as of November 2023, making him one of the richest athletes in the world. He has invested in various startups and businesses across different sectors, such as fintech, fitness, fashion, entertainment, and food. He plays an active role in these ventures as a co-owner, co-creator, or brand ambassador, and helps them grow and innovate.
In this blog post, we will explore some of the top startups and companies that Kohli has invested in and how they are performing. We will also look at the benefits and challenges of being a celebrity investor and what makes Kohli stand out in this field.
Top 9 Startup Investments of Virat Kohli
1. Digit Insurance
Virat Kohli, the captain of the Indian cricket team, is not only a master of the game but also a savvy investor. He has invested in Digit Insurance, a digital general insurance company that offers simple and transparent insurance solutions to millions of customers.
Virat Kohli Becomes The Face Of Digit Insurance 💛
— ViratGang (@ViratGang) April 1, 2021
“@heydigit‘s mission of ‘making insurance simple’ caught my attention & I’m happy to join their journey to spread awareness about insurance.” he said. @imVkohli • #ViratKohli • #ViratGang pic.twitter.com/kT7uDUZi1X
Digit Insurance has grown rapidly since its launch in 2016, reaching a valuation of $3.5 billion in 2021, making it one of the most valuable insurance startups in India. It has also shown impressive performance, registering a 44% growth in gross premiums in the financial year 2020-2021.
Digit Insurance has also helped Kohli boost his brand value, as he is the face of the company and its products. Kohli’s association with Digit Insurance reflects his vision, leadership, and trustworthiness, qualities that make him one of the most admired and influential personalities in the country.
2. Chisel Fitness
Chisel Fitness is a chain of gyms and fitness centers in India that was founded in 2015 by Satya Sinha, a female entrepreneur and fitness trainer. She partnered with Virat Kohli, a famous Indian cricketer and fitness enthusiast, who invested nearly ₹90 crore in the business.
VIRAT KOHLI & CHISEL FITNESS LAUNCHED ITS NEW STATE-OF-THE ART FITNESS CENTRE AT NEW DELHIhttps://t.co/aqItdIlFGN pic.twitter.com/6xWdTR8rfX
— HIGH TRENDZ (@hightrendz) June 28, 2016
Chisel Fitness offers a comprehensive range of cutting-edge workouts and personalized training programs designed to sculpt and strengthen every muscle. The company has various facilities such as a functional zone, cardio zone, free weight training, group exercise, spin studio, resistance zone, open group class, outdoor fitness, hydro fitness, open terrace, cafeteria, pilates, and naturopathy.
Chisel Fitness has a website where you can find more information about its services, locations, membership plans, and contact details. You can also follow them on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
3. Universal Sportsbiz
Universal Sportsbiz is a fashion company that owns and operates brands like Wrogn, Imara, and Ms.Taken. The company was founded in 2012 by Anjana Reddy, a former national-level badminton player, with the vision of creating celebrity-led fashion brands for the Indian youth.
View this post on Instagram
One of the most popular brands of the company is Wrogn, a men’s casual wear brand co-created by former Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli. Kohli invested ₹19.3 crore in the startup in 2015 through his firm Cornerstone Sports LLP, holding 4282 shares. He is also the brand ambassador and the face of Wrogn, which has over 250 outlets across India.
The startup has shown impressive growth and performance in the fashion industry. It reported a revenue of ₹260 crore in FY20, a 40% increase from the previous year. It also raised ₹100 crore in Series E funding from Accel Partners in 2020. The company was ranked among the top 10 startups in India by LinkedIn in 2019, based on its employee growth, job interest, and engagement. The company aims to become the leading fashion house in India, catering to the diverse tastes and preferences of the young generation.
4. Sport Convo
Sport Convo is a London-based social media startup that aims to connect sports fans and athletes from around the world. It was launched in 2015 with the backing of Indian cricket star Virat Kohli, who invested an undisclosed amount in the company and became its brand ambassador and shareholder. The platform allows users to chat, share, and vote on sports topics, such as news, scores, highlights, and opinions.
Virat Kohli Sport Convo Party Enjoy This Time.. pic.twitter.com/TO3wn8rcvB
— Mamun Al Muqtadir (@MamunMuqtader) September 5, 2016
Users can also access exclusive content from sports stars like Kohli, Cristiano Ronaldo, Usain Bolt, and more, who use the platform to interact with their fans and share their insights. Sport Convo is free to join and use, and does not require any subscription or registration fees. It supports multiple languages, such as English, Hindi, Spanish, Portuguese, and more, and allows users to switch between them easily.
Sport Convo is a social media platform that is designed for sports lovers and enthusiasts, who want to stay updated and connected with their favorite sports and athletes. It is a place where users can express their passion, opinions, and emotions, and enjoy the thrill and excitement of sports.
5. Rage Coffee
Rage Coffee is a Delhi-based coffee brand that offers natural and vegan instant coffee products. The startup was founded in 2018 and has since grown to become one of the leading players in the instant coffee market in India. Rage Coffee is known for its innovation and quality, as it uses plant-based ingredients, biodegradable packaging, and patented extraction technology to create delicious and healthy coffee products.
In March 2022, Rage Coffee received an undisclosed amount of investment from Indian cricketer Virat Kohli, who also became its brand ambassador and investor. Kohli said that he was impressed by the startup’s vision and products and that he wanted to support a home-grown brand that promotes health and wellness. Rage Coffee expects the association with Kohli to boost its brand awareness and customer acquisition, as well as to expand its online presence and offline footprint across India.
6. Blue Tribe
Blue Tribe is a Mumbai-based food-tech company that was co-founded by Sandeep Singh and Nikki Arora Singh in 2019. The company produces plant-based meat products that are made with natural ingredients such as peas, soybeans, lentils, grains, and other vegetarian sources. The company claims that its products taste, look, feel, and cook just like regular meat, while also providing the same nutrient profile.
Virat Kohli & Anushka Sharma join plant-based brand Blue Tribe as investors and brand ambassadors https://t.co/yiYjg7IIHR pic.twitter.com/cm0v2lYqvh
— Vegan Future (@veganfuture) February 9, 2022
In February 2021, Blue Tribe received an undisclosed amount of investment from celebrity power couple Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma. The duo also became the brand ambassadors of the company, as they share the same vision of promoting a meat-free lifestyle and reducing the environmental impact of animal farming. Kohli and Sharma are both animal lovers and have been following a plant-based diet for years.
Blue Tribe’s mission is to revolutionize how India eats its meat by providing healthy, sustainable, and cruelty-free food options. The company aims to reduce animal suffering and environmental damage caused by the livestock industry, which is the second-largest polluter in the world. The company also hopes to raise awareness among consumers about the benefits of switching to a plant-based diet, both for their own health and for the planet.
7. Hyperice
Hyperice is a US-based wellness company that offers high-performance recovery and wellness devices for athletes and active people. The company was founded in 2010 by Anthony Katz, who worked with professional athletes and teams to develop innovative products that enhance performance and recovery.
In September 2021, Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli invested an undisclosed amount in Hyperice, becoming its global athlete-investor and advisor. Kohli said that Hyperice has helped him optimize his performance and recovery and that he looks forward to helping the company expand into India and beyond.
Hyperice’s products include devices like Hypervolt, Hypersphere, and Venom, which use percussion, vibration, thermal, and compression technology to provide massage and therapy for muscles and joints. The company also acquired Core, a mental wellness company that offers a handheld meditation device and app. Hyperice has partnered with leagues like the NBA, NFL, and MLB, as well as individual athletes like Naomi Osaka, Patrick Mahomes, and Erling Haaland, to promote its products and mission.
8. Stepathlon Kids
Stepathlon Kids is a joint venture between Indian cricket star Virat Kohli and Stepathlon Lifestyle, a corporate wellness platform. Kohli invested an undisclosed amount in the startup in 2016, becoming its co-owner and brand ambassador. The startup aims to tackle fitness issues affecting children by encouraging them to adopt a healthy lifestyle and increase awareness about health issues.
Virat Kohli Launches Stepathlon Kids to Inspire Kids for Healthy Lifestyle https://t.co/c7g5XBjB1F pic.twitter.com/mOZgxw9Bq3
— maffatcom (@maffat_com) June 29, 2016
Stepathlon Kids claims to have improved the physical and mental health of over 100,000 children across 15 countries, including India, Australia, UAE, the UK, and the USA. The startup partners with schools, corporations, and NGOs to implement its program and create a culture of wellness among children.
The startup also receives support from Cornerstone Sports and Entertainment, a sports celebrity management company. Stepathlon Kids has received positive feedback from parents, teachers, and children who have participated in its program.
9. Galactus Funware Technology Private Limited
Galactus Funware Technology Private Limited, doing business as Mobile Premier League (MPL), is a digital gaming platform that provides a wide range of game applications, tournaments, cash rewards, and other related services.
The company was founded in 2018 by Sai Srinivas Kiran G and Shubham Malhotra, who are also the co-founders of CREO, a hardware startup that was acquired by Hike Messenger in 2017. MPL is currently valued at $2.45 billion and is hailed as the 26th unicorn startup of 2021, and the second Indian unicorn online gaming startup to cross the 1 billion dollar mark, as of October 2021.
View this post on Instagram
In 2019, Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli invested ₹33.42 lakh in Galactus Funware Technology, acquiring 68 compulsory convertible debentures in the company. Kohli is also the brand ambassador of MPL and has been featured in several advertisements and campaigns for the platform. Apart from Kohli, other investors in the company include Sequoia Capital India, SIG, RTP Global, Moore Strategic Ventures, Base Partners, Telstra Ventures, Go-Ventures, Founders Circle Capital, and Composite Capital.
Conclusion
We have seen that Virat Kohli is not only a cricket legend but also a smart and visionary investor. He has invested in some of the most promising and innovative startups and companies in India and abroad, across various sectors and domains. He has also contributed to their growth and success by using his popularity, influence, and expertise.
Kohli’s portfolio reflects his diversity and potential as an investor and entrepreneur. He has shown that he is not afraid to take risks and explore new opportunities. He has also demonstrated his passion and commitment to support the Indian startup ecosystem and create a positive impact on society.
