Cricket icon Virat Kohli has invested Rs 40 crore in Agilitas, a sportswear and sporting goods manufacturing company founded by former Puma India managing director Abhishek Ganguly, reported Moneycontrol.
Ganguly, who was instrumental in bringing Kohli on board as Puma India’s brand ambassador, had signed him to a reported Rs 110 crore deal starting in 2017. The eight-year contract was set to continue until 2025. However, Kohli recently opted out of renewing the deal, now said to be worth Rs 300 crore, and instead chose to align with Ganguly’s new venture, Agilitas.
Unlike previous endorsements, Kohli’s involvement with Agilitas goes far beyond lending his name. The Bengaluru-based company has offered him a stake in return for capital investment and active participation in business decisions. Agilitas envisions building a comprehensive sports ecosystem, from manufacturing to retail. To accelerate this ambition, the company has been acquiring businesses that complement its capabilities. In 2023, it acquired Mochiko Shoes, a key manufacturer for leading global brands such as Adidas, Puma, New Balance, Skechers, Reebok, Asics, Crocs, Decathlon, Clarks, and US Polo.
In addition, Agilitas secured licensing rights for Lotto, giving it the right to sell Lotto-branded footwear in India and select international markets. The company also plans to roll out at least three new brands, including Kohli’s own label, One8, underscoring his central role in its growth strategy. The report also mentions that this Rs 40 crore investment is just a part of a bigger investment that Kohli is set to have for the company.
Kohli has been allotted approximately 3.6 lakh Class 2 Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares (CCPS), which will automatically convert into equity shares at a later stage, unlike optional convertible instruments, where conversion is left to the investor’s discretion. This investment adds to Kohli’s expanding portfolio of startup bets, which already includes names like Digit Insurance, Mobile Premier League (MPL), and Wrogn.
Agilitas itself has raised close to Rs 600 crore from investors in under two years. Backers include venture capital firms like Spring Capital and Nexus Venture Partners, as well as former cricketer Yuvraj Singh.