Sportswear Startup Agilitas Secures Capital From Virat Kohli: Report

Sportswear startup Agilitas has reportedly roped in cricketer Virat Kohli as an investor and co-creator as the startup eyes global expansion. 

While the financial details remain undisclosed, industry sources told PTI that Kohli will own a stake in Agilitas, describing the investment as “a large sum”.

The report added that a formal announcement is expected within the next three months, as Agilitas is currently working on brand launch and opening stores for Kohli’s lifestyle brand One8.

One8, which Kohli registered in 2016, previously operated in collaboration with Puma and generated business worth approximately INR 250 Cr. Now, the brand plans to open standalone stores and expand internationally, targeting key markets such as the US and UK.

As per various media reports, Kohli declined German sportswear giant Puma’s INR 300 Cr offer to renew his eight-year contract, and instead chose to invest in Agilitas.

Founded in 2023 by former Puma executives Abhishek Ganguly, Atul Bajaj, and Amit Prabhu, Agilitas aims to build an end-to-end value chain from manufacturing to retail for sports footwear.

The Bengaluru-based startup has raised INR 537 Cr to date from investors like Convergent Finance and Nexus Venture Partners. In September 2024, it secured additional funding from Spring Marketing Capital. It also counts former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh among its investors.

Agilitas made its first major move in the business-to-business space by acquiring Mochiko Shoes, India’s largest sports footwear manufacturer which produces for global brands like Adidas, Skechers and Reebok.

In April 2024, the startup acquired exclusive 40-year licence rights to design, manufacture, and retail Italian sports brand Lotto in India, Australia, and South Africa.

Kohli’s Expanding Investment Portfolio

The Agilitas investment adds to Kohli’s growing portfolio of startup investments spanning multiple sectors. 

In March 2022, Kohli invested an undisclosed amount in Rage Coffee. Together with his wife and actor Anushka Sharma, he also invested in Blue Tribe Foods, a plant-based meat startup.

One of his earliest significant investments came in 2015 when he partnered with Chisel Fitness, investing INR 90 Cr to establish gyms and fitness centres across India.

In 2020, Kohli and Sharma invested INR 2.2 Cr in Digit Insurance, and in the same year, he put INR 19.3 Cr into Universal Sportsbiz Pvt Ltd, a fashion enterprise backed by Sachin Tendulkar.

His other investments include a 12% stake in FC Goa (an Indian Super League football team), Galactus Funware Technology (associated with Mobile Premier League) in 2019, and Hyperice (a wellness brand) in 2021.

Celebrity Investments On The Rise 

Kohli’s investment in Agilitas comes amid a growing trend of celebrity investments in Indian startups, particularly in the sports and lifestyle sectors.

Former Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane recently invested in Proxgy, an IoT startup as part of is $3 Mn Series A funding round in late-2024. He also expanded his portfolio to include agritech and AI startups.

Virender Sehwag invested in T9L QUBE, a venture builder focused on nurturing unconventional talent, in early 2025. 

From Bollywood, Deepika Padukone has expanded her portfolio through her firm KA Enterprises, investing in startups such as Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters, Epigamia, and Atomberg Technology. 

Other actors like Ranveer Singh (Bold Care, SuperYou) and Alia Bhatt (Phool.Co, SuperBottoms, Nykaa) have also made significant investments in startups. 

Beyond capital, celebrity investors bring visibility, credibility, and an engaged audience to startups, offering a competitive edge in crowded markets.