Virat Kohli
Co-founder, One8 (a part of Agilitas Sports)About
Virat Kohli, who recently topped the maiden Fortune India-Interbrand study of India’s Most Valuable Celebrities, has always had an entrepreneurial streak. Some of his earliest ventures include the youth-focussed casualwear brand WROGN, which he co-created and holds a minority stake in, and One8 Commune, a chain of restaurants. Kohli also holds equity in plant-based meat brand Blue Tribe, coffee brand Rage Coffee, and fantasy gaming platform MPL, besides stakes in Digit Insurance, ISL franchise FC Goa, and Team Blue Rising (powerboat racing). “He’s transitioned from just being a celebrity brand ambassador to an equity partner… With a couple of brands, he lends his celebrity status against equity stakes,” explains angel investor and business strategist Lloyd Mathias. However, Kohli’s biggest leap of faith as an entrepreneur has been with Agilitas. Late last year, Agilitas took over One8 from Puma (where it was a licensed label) to develop it into a home-grown global sports major. As part of the deal, Kohli reportedly invested `40 crore in Agilitas. After launching the line of One8 Seam XVIII shoes, the brand has ventured into athletic performance wear and is also working on another line of footwear said to be inspired by ‘Test whites’. Kohli, in recent podcasts, has admitted to being intimately involved in the development process, suggesting changes till the product feels just right. Talking about One8, Kohli said in a podcast, “It’s something I always dreamt of, but now it’s coming to life.” Kohli seems all set to fulfil his next dream.
