Virat Kohli has invested around Rs 40 crore in Agilitas Sports, a company started by former PUMA India head Abhishek Ganguly, in return of an equity of around 1.94%. According to the company’s MCA filings, cricketer Abhishek Sharma has also invested in the company. Yuvraj Singh also holds a 0.5% stake in Agilitas.
“Kohli’s investment is just a part of the ongoing round. They want to raise more,” a person aware of the development said.
Agilitas Sports was founded by Ganguly in 2023 after he stepped down from the top position at PUMA. During his tenure as PUMA MD, Ganguly brought in Kohli as the company’s brand ambassador for a Rs 110 crore contract.
The contract, which was one of the biggest in India’s sports history, ended earlier this year. Kohli then chose not to renew his contract and chose to go with Agilitas. At Ganguly’s company, Kohli will be offered stake and given a bigger role to shape the company’s business.
At Puma, he was replaced by badminton player PV Sindhu. Agilitas wants to create an end-to-end chain combining manufacturing, branding and retail of sports goods.
In 2023, Agilitas acquired Mochiko Shoes. The NCR-based company manufactures shoes for brands such as Adidas, Puma, New Balance, Skechers, Reebok, Asics, Crocs, Decathlon, Clarks, and US Polo, among others. Agilitas also acquired the licensing rights for Lotto, which allows them to sell its shoes in India and a few other regions.
It is also planning to sell products of Kohli’s brand, One8.
The largest stake in Agilitas is held by Mauritius-based Infinity Direct Holdings at 37.72% stake, followed by Ganguly at 18.26% and Nexus Venture Partners with 9.16%.