Cricket superstar Virat Kohli has made a bold entrepreneurial move by investing ₹40 crore in Indian sportswear startup Agilitas Sports, marking a strategic shift from brand ambassador to brand builder. This investment follows his decision to end a ₹300 crore endorsement deal with Puma, signaling a deeper commitment to shaping a homegrown sportswear powerhouse.
🏏 From Endorser to Entrepreneur
Kohli’s investment secures him 3.6 lakh Class 2 Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares (CCPS) in Agilitas, which will later convert into equity, giving him a significant ownership stake. Unlike traditional endorsement deals, this partnership positions Kohli as a strategic investor involved in product design, marketing, and global expansion.
“Instead of representing someone else’s brand, he is now betting on a business he helps shape from the ground up,” reports MSN.
👟 Agilitas: The New Face of Indian Sportswear
Founded in 2023 by Abhishek Ganguly, former MD of Puma India, Agilitas has quickly gained traction by:
- Acquiring Mochiko Shoes, a key supplier for global brands like Adidas, Puma, and Crocs
- Securing long-term licensing rights for Lotto in India, South Africa, and Australia
- Building an integrated ecosystem spanning manufacturing, retail, and brand creation
🔁 One8 Brand to Be Reimagined
Kohli’s lifestyle brand One8, previously licensed to Puma, will now be integrated into Agilitas’s portfolio. Plans include:
- Launching exclusive One8 stores across India
- Expanding into international markets such as the US and UK
- Positioning One8 as a global Indian sportswear label
📈 A Growing Startup Portfolio
This move adds to Kohli’s expanding investment portfolio, which includes Digit Insurance, MPL, and Wrogn. Agilitas itself has raised nearly ₹600 crore from investors like Spring Capital, Nexus Venture Partners, and Yuvraj Singh, making it one of India’s most promising sportswear ventures.
Stay tuned for updates on Kohli’s entrepreneurial journey and Agilitas’s rise in the global sportswear arena.
