Top 10 Indian Celebrities Who Have Invested in Startups

In the last ten years, India has experienced an extraordinary growth in its startup ecosystem.  Startups have emerged as the backbone of India’s new economy, with innovations ranging from fintech and healthtech to edtech and sustainable fashion.  What’s interesting is that this growth has not only piqued the interest of institutional investors and venture capitalists, but it has also attracted some of the biggest celebrities in India.

Numerous Indian celebrities, ranging from Bollywood actors and cricket superstars to musicians and fashion icons, are now taking on the roles of angel investors and startup supporters.  Due to their influence, resources, and social media prowess, they are sought-after allies for nascent brands aiming for rapid growth and consumer trust.

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Notable Investments:

• Blue Tribe Foods (Plant-based meat brand)
• Rage Coffee
• Universal Sportsbiz (USPL)

The ex-captain of the Indian cricket team is recognized not only for his exceptional batting skills but also for his astute business decisions.  Virat Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma have made an investment in Blue Tribe Foods, a company that offers plant-based meat products and advocates for sustainable eating.  He has invested in Rage Coffee, a D2C coffee brand, and holds stakes in USPL, a fashion retail brand that owns Wrogn, which is Kohli’s own apparel label.

Notable Investments:

• Epigamia (Greek yogurt & healthy snacking)
• BluSmart (Electric ride-hailing service)
• FrontRow (Edtech – skill learning platform)
• Atomberg Technologies

With her venture arm KA Enterprises, which has made investments in numerous startups, Deepika Padukone has demonstrated a keen business acumen.  She has concentrated on well-being, sustainability, and technology-driven services.  She has endorsed the vision of clean mobility by backing BluSmart.  Through Epigamia, she has contributed to the promotion of healthy snacking among urban populations in India.

Notable Investments:

• Phool.co (Floral waste recycling into incense and leather alternatives)
• Nykaa (Beauty & lifestyle e-commerce)
• StyleCracker (Fashion tech platform)

Alia Bhatt demonstrates her interest in environmentally conscious startups by investing in Phool.co, which recycles floral waste from temples to create incense sticks and vegan leather.  She invested early in Nykaa, which has become one of the most successful startup IPOs in India.  She is investigating fashion-tech curation services for millennials through StyleCracker.

Notable Investments:

• Smaaash Entertainment (Virtual reality and gaming)
• SRT Sports Management
• com (Online travel agency)

Throughout his life, Sachin Tendulkar has been linked with numerous brands and has also engaged in strategic investments.  His engagement with Smaaash demonstrates his enthusiasm for sports and entertainment.  In addition, he was a co-founder of SRT Sports Management, which provides mentorship to emerging athletes.

Notable Investments:

• Khatabook (Digital ledger app)
• Garuda Aerospace (Drone technology)
• SEVEN (Lifestyle brand)

While MS Dhoni, known as Captain Cool, has kept a low profile, his business activities are highly indicative.  He put money into Khatabook, a financial technology startup that is transforming the way small businesses manage their bookkeeping.  Dhoni is engaged with Garuda Aerospace, a company specializing in drone technology, highlighting his interest in cutting-edge tech.  The youth are also starting to take notice of his lifestyle brand SEVEN.

Notable Investments:

• Mamaearth (Natural beauty & personal care)
• Fitternity (Fitness discovery platform)
• Kissht (Fintech)

For a long time, Shilpa Shetty has promoted health and wellness.  Her investment in Mamaearth, which specializes in toxin-free beauty and baby products, became highly successful following the brand’s attainment of unicorn status.  She has advocated for the idea of digital fitness discovery and on-demand workouts through Fitternity.

Notable Investments:

• Fittr (Fitness community platform)
• Aquatein (Protein-infused water)
• Beardo (Men’s grooming)

Suniel Shetty has become one of the most engaged celebrity investors in health, wellness, and grooming.  He was involved in the scaling of Beardo, which Marico later acquired.  His recent investments in Fittr and Aquatein demonstrate his interest in nutraceuticals and fitness-oriented startups.

Notable Investment:

• The Man Company (Men’s grooming)

Ayushmann’s involvement with the premium grooming brand The Man Company transcends typical celebrity endorsement; he holds equity in the startup and is actively engaged in its brand development and marketing efforts.  His investment fits well with his image as a modern, urban male.

Notable Investment:

• Imagine Meats (Plant-based meat alternatives)

The pair established Imagine Meats together, a sustainable food venture that provides plant-based meat products designed for Indian palates.  This investment mirrors their personal values regarding sustainability and ethical consumption, and they have taken a very active role in product development and promotion.

Notable Investments:

• Anthill Ventures (Startup accelerator)
• Rooter (Gaming & e-sports)
• Ketto (Crowdfunding platform)

Rana Daggubati, who is widely recognized for his performance in Baahubali, has cultivated a sharp eye for scalable tech ventures.  He is linked to Anthill Ventures, an organization that assists startups in achieving rapid growth.  He has demonstrated his interest in gaming and entertainment by supporting Rooter, a platform for live game streaming.

This trend is increasing for several compelling reasons:

1. Brand Alignment: Startups frequently seek celebrity investors whose personal brand aligns with the company’s values. As an illustration, there is Deepika Padukone in the realm of clean beauty and Virat Kohli with regard to fitness and sustainability.
2. Equity Over Endorsement Fees: Numerous celebrities are opting for equity stakes instead of one-off endorsements. This generates enduring wealth and a vested interest in the brand’s success.
3. Portfolio Diversification: Celebrities, similar to any astute investor, are broadening their income sources beyond the realms of traditional media, real estate, and endorsements.
4. Influencer Power: The startup benefits from their social media presence, which helps to quickly generate awareness, establish credibility, and attract customers.

The participation of celebrities offers startups a marketing edge, enhances consumer confidence, and creates opportunities for faster funding and growth.  As the number of public IPOs and unicorn startups in India rises, initial celebrity investors are now enjoying substantial profits.

As an example, individuals who made early investments in Nykaa or Mamaearth witnessed a multiplication of their valuations following the IPO or acquisition.

The merging of celebrity influence and entrepreneurial creativity is a lasting trend.  Indian celebrities have evolved beyond merely being brand ambassadors; they are now becoming stakeholders in the development of those brands.  Their tactical investments are influencing the future of consumer enterprises in India, whether it involves promoting sustainability, backing fintech, or making fitness accessible to all.

With the maturation of the startup ecosystem, it is likely that more celebrities will enter boardrooms—not solely for their star power, but to make a genuine impact on business.