Virat Kohli Acquires 1.94% Stake in Agilitas Sports; Abhishek Sharma, SMLINE Ventures Join Investor Lineup
- ByStartupStory | June 30, 2025
Indian cricket star Virat Kohli has taken a strategic step into the business of sportswear by acquiring a 1.94% stake in Bengaluru-based Agilitas Sports through a ₹40 crore investment (~$4.7 million). The funding is part of a larger ongoing round and further expands Kohli’s growing portfolio of startup investments, which includes names like Digit Insurance, Rage Coffee, MPL, and Wrogn.
As per regulatory filings sourced from the Registrar of Companies (RoC), the board of Agilitas Sports approved the allotment of 3,61,611 Class 2 Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares (CCPS) at a price of ₹1,106 each to raise the ₹40 crore investment from Kohli.
In parallel, Agilitas is also raising ₹3 crore from Indian cricketer Abhishek Sharma and SMLINE Ventures, filings reveal.
Founded in 2023 by former Puma India Managing Director Abhishek Ganguly, Agilitas Sports is building an end-to-end ecosystem across manufacturing, licensing, and retail in the sporting goods category. Kohli’s investment and endorsement mark a significant milestone for the startup, especially after the cricketing icon walked away from his ₹110 crore Puma India deal in early 2025, which at the time was reported to be worth ₹300 crore, to align with Agilitas.
According to estimates by Entrackr, the fresh infusion values Agilitas Sports at ₹2,058 crore (~$242 million) post-money. The company has now raised over ₹600 crore in total, including ₹15 crore in strategic investment from Spring Marketing Capital last year.
The updated shareholding structure post-investment shows Mauritius-based Infinity Direct Holdings as the largest stakeholder with a 37.73% stake, followed by Co-founder and CEO Abhishek Ganguly at 18.26%. Nexus Venture Partners holds 9.16%, while Kohli and fellow cricketer Yuvraj Singh own 1.94% and 0.51%, respectively.
Agilitas has already begun expanding its capabilities. It recently acquired Mochiko Shoes, a key manufacturer for global brands such as Adidas, Puma, New Balance, and Skechers. The company also holds licensing rights for the Lotto brand in India and Australia and is building a portfolio of in-house labels, including One8 — Kohli’s personal lifestyle brand.
With Kohli’s capital, brand influence, and active role in business decision-making, Agilitas aims to scale its operations aggressively, strengthen its “Make in India” manufacturing ethos, and redefine the sporting goods landscape in India and abroad.
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