Indian cricket star Virat Kohli has entered a strategic partnership with Agilitas Sports, investing ₹40 crore (about $4.8 million) in the first tranche to accelerate the growth of his lifestyle label One8.
The move aims to expand One8’s footprint across performance, athleisure, and lifestyle categories, leveraging Agilitas’ expertise in sports retail and manufacturing.
Agilitas Sports, founded by former Puma India MD Abhishek Ganguly, has positioned itself as a homegrown sportswear powerhouse with ambitions to rival global brands. Kohli’s One8, which already enjoys a strong collaboration with Puma, will benefit from Agilitas’ integrated supply chain and retail network to scale distribution and product innovation.
“This partnership is about creating a brand that resonates with athletes and everyday consumers alike,” Kohli said in a statement. “Agilitas brings the right capabilities to take One8 to the next level.”
Market Growth and Manufacturing Expansion
The investment underscores Kohli’s growing role as an entrepreneur in India’s booming sports and lifestyle market, which is projected to reach $13 billion by 2027. Agilitas recently raised significant funding to build manufacturing capacity and expand its multi-brand portfolio, signaling aggressive growth plans.
About Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli is one of the world’s most celebrated cricketers and a leading sports influencer, with over 250 million social media followers. Beyond cricket, Kohli has built a strong personal brand through ventures in fitness, lifestyle, and fashion. His One8 label, launched in partnership with Puma, has become a top athleisure brand in India. Kohli’s investment in Agilitas marks a shift from endorsement to equity participation, signaling his commitment to building a global Indian sports brand.
About Agilitas Sports
Agilitas Sports is an Indian sportswear and athleisure company founded in 2023 by former Puma India executives, including Abhishek Ganguly. The company operates a full-stack, vertically integrated model, controlling design, manufacturing, and retail distribution.
The company’s strategy centers on several key strengths. It owns Mochiko, one of India’s largest sports footwear manufacturers, enabling “Made-in-India” production with capacity doubled to over 20 million pairs annually. Mochiko also manufactures for global brands including Adidas, Puma, New Balance, Skechers, and Asics, providing a strong B2B revenue base.
Agilitas has built a diverse brand portfolio by acquiring One8 from Virat Kohli and securing exclusive licensing rights for Lotto across India, South Asia, and Australia. The company plans to reposition One8 as a high-performance sports brand and expand internationally to markets including the US, UK, and Australia by FY26-27.
Financially, the company shows strong momentum. Mochiko reported ₹642 crore (€69 million) in revenue in FY23 and is projected to reach ₹1,000 crore (€107 million) by FY25, making it a key growth engine for the group. Agilitas aims to create world-class Indian sports brands that compete globally, leveraging its manufacturing muscle and celebrity-backed brand strategy.
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