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After nearly two years of subdued startup investment, the Indian startup funding winter finally thawed in 2025. Investor sentiment has strengthened through 2025, with early signs of a recovery reflected in the $5.7 Bn raised by Indian startups in the first half of the year. Total funding is expected to touch $14–$15 Bn by the end of the year, as per Inc42 estimates.

Amid this revival, celebrity participation in the startup landscape has continued to accelerate.

Actors, athletes, and creators are no longer limiting themselves to endorsements; many are now stepping in as founders, angel investors, and strategic backers, using their capital and influence to power new-age brands.

What started with early participants like Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan has now broadened to include major actors and athletes, including Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, Ranveer Singh, MS Dhoni, and Sachin Tendulkar.

What was once a fringe trend has now become a defining feature of India’s vibrant startup economy. As the ecosystem matures and investment flows stabilise, 2025 has emerged as another milestone year for celebrity-entrepreneur relationships.

Here’s a look at the Indian celebrities who made notable moves in the startup ecosystem this year.

Editor’s Note: This is not a ranking; the names are listed alphabetically.

Here Are The Stars Who Bet Big On Indian Startups In 2025

Badshah

Rapper and musician Badshah has been steadily building his presence in the startup world, beginning with a series of strategic investments. This year, he backed healthtech startup Gabit, which is building a longevity ecosystem centred around a smart-ring wearable and personalised, AI-led wellness coaching.

The musician became a startup investor last year in May when he invested in mobility marketplace Droom, pairing the investment with a long-term brand partnership aimed at strengthening the platform’s visibility among younger users.

Alongside these startup bets, Badshah has also begun developing ventures of his own. His most recent launch is Badboy Pizza, a mass-premium QSR brand created in partnership with cloud kitchen startup Ghost Kitchens India. The first outlet opened in Mumbai this year, with plans to expand to 50 locations over the next few years.

Ben Stokes

English all-rounder Ben Stokes, a familiar face to Indian cricket fans through his many IPL seasons, has begun expanding his footprint into the startup world.

This year, Stokes joined Nexus VP, 4cast.uk and Kriscore Capital in backing The Medical Travel Company, a startup that helps international patients access world-class treatment in India, offering end-to-end support from consultation to recovery.

Besides, Stokes also invested in fintech startup Fundamento, backing the startup in its $1.9 Mn pre-Series A funding round via The Players Fund. Fundamento specialises in “agentic AI solutions that automate borrower interactions for banks, highlighting the athletes’ interest in tech-driven financial innovation.

Beyond this, Stokes has diversified his portfolio with stakes in UK-based alcohol-free spirits brand CleanCo and participation in The Players Fund, an athlete-driven venture initiative in the UK.

Glenn Maxwell

Over a decade into his cricketing career, Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell geared up to join the fray as Indian startup investor this year. He made his first direct investment in India by backing Drive FITT — a membership-based sports club blending cricket, fitness and recovery.

Founded in July 2024 by Bollywood actor Preity Zinta, cricketer Shubman Gill, and Australian entrepreneurs Mark Sellar and Deke Smith, DRIVE FITT is redefining fitness through a cricket-inspired sports club experience.

The 24/7 clubs combine cricket training, gym workouts, yoga, and elite recovery services under one roof, with programmes designed by players like Gill, Chris Lynn, and Ryan Harris.

Beyond India, he co-owns Twenty20 Vision, a sports eyewear brand that designs performance sunglasses specifically for cricket and outdoor sports

Hrithik Roshan

Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan expressed his interest to invest in Indian startups way back in 2015.

Following which, he became the brand ambassador for Curefit, where he signed a contract valued at $15.6 Mn (INR 100 Cr) in 2017.

In February, Roshan joined Curefitas investor and brand ambassador for its flagship brand EatFit which is now being repositioned under ‘Kitchens of EatFit.’

He also runs an activewear and fitness lifestyle brand HRX, which offers track pants, sweatshirts, joggers, footwear and accessories.

Jasprit Bumrah

Indian cricketer Jasprit Bumrah is a familiar face in endorsing startups, partnering as a brand ambassador including Zepto, FanCraze, BharatPe and Zaggle, among others.

Bumrah made his first investment in Mumbai-based luggage brand uppercase in April. Besides making the undisclosed investment, the fast bowler is also working on co-creating a new product line for the startup. Important to mention that this is an expansion of their initial collaboration, where Bumrah served as the brand’s ambassador.

Founded in 2021, uppercase designs and manufactures eco-friendly travel gear including hard luggage bags, backpacks, duffel bags, and office satchels.

Competing with established players like VIP Industries, Samsonite, Mokobara and Nasher Miles, the startup claims to currently sell through 1,600 points of sale across India and aims to expand to 4,000 points in the coming years.

MS Dhoni

Cricket legend Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been an active supporter of the Indian startup ecosystem for some years now and he doubled down on promising entities operating in the ecosystem this year,

In August, he joined insurtech platform Acko as an investor and brand ambassador. He backed cloud kitchen startup House Of Biryan in its INR 32 Cr growth funding, along with other investors.

Besides, Dhoni has significantly boosted his stake in dronetech startup, Garuda Aerospace. In its April 2025 Series B round, Garuda raised INR 100 Cr at a $250 Mn valuation, which the startup plans to use to scale manufacturing, build a new R&D and defence-drone R&D facility, and enhance its IP portfolio.

Dhoni has notably backed more than a dozen startups that highlights sustainability and innovation. Startups such as Khatabook, CARS24, Centricity, HomeLane and a few others are part of his portfolio.

Dhoni carries his investments via his family office Midas Deals, which has been playing a key role in focusing on early-stage bets in high-growth sectors.

Prakash Padukone

Actor Deepika Padukone’s father and renowned badminton player Prakash Padukone has been actively involved in backing startups via his investment entity Ka Enterprises. His portfolio brands include Epigamia and 82oE.

In 2025, Padukone, along with Zerodha’s investment arm Rainmatter, backed premium sports tech startup Machaxi.

Bengaluru-based Machaxi, founded in 2022 by Pratish Raj, Tushar Raj and Ashish Anand, provides training facilities at its centres, with the AI-backed programmes to help athletes analyse their strategies to upskill their game.

Although Padukone remained an active startup investor this year, he stepped away from day-to-day oversight of PPBA (Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy), which has now been renamed Centre for Badminton Excellence (CBE). He is now focussed building grassroots programmes via Padukone School of Badminton (PSB), aimed at bringing coaching to a wider base across India

Rana Daggubati

Actor Daggubati began his startup investor journey in the startup arena in 2016 with his investment in a mobile gaming platform Gamezop.

Backing startups like Pulp, Ghost Kitchens, and Salud Beverages, Daggubati has doubled down on the promise of the startup ecosystem over the years.

In July this year, he invested in a microdrama platform called Chai Bisket, alongside other investors like Info Edge Ventures, Swiggy cofounders Sriharsha Majety and Nandan Reddyi, among many others.

Ranbir Kapoor

Actor Ranbir Kapoor has been greatly active in backing startups with his first investment in music app Saavn in 2016. In 2025, he invested in logistics startup Prozo and healthtech platform Gabit.

His portfolio brands include eco-friendly home products brand Beco and listed dronetech major DroneAcharya, among others. Kapoor mostly looks to participate in seed or early stage investments via personal funds.

Besides making investments, the actor also launched a lifestyle brand ARKS in 2024. Founded in 2024 by Kapoor and Abhinav Verma, ARKS is an omnichannel fashion brand offering premium clothing, footwear and accessories for both men and women.

The brand’s collection focusses on modern essentials with minimalist designs, combining functionality and style.

Important to note that Kapoor’s wife and acclaimed actor Alia Bhatt has equally been active in the startup ecosystem with her own kidswear D2C brand Ed-a-Mamma, alongside investments in startups like Style Cracker, Phool and Nykaa.

Rinku Singh

Rinku Singh, an Indian cricketer who made his IPL debut in 2018, is one of the youngest celebrity investors in the startup ecosystem.

Following the conviction of his peers from the field to back the innovative startups, he made his very first investment in supplement startup BeastLife this year.

Founded by influencer Gaurav Taneja and Raj Vikram Gupta, BeastLife offers high-quality protein powders, creatine, and mass gainers.

Leveraging Taneja’s influence, the startup sells concentrated whey protein powders, mass gainers, creatine and a range of other supplements via its website, and ecommerce and quick commerce platforms.

Rohit Sharma

Having backed startups across sectors such as health, fintech, logistics, sustainability, agritech, and others, the ex-Indian cricket team captain has been on the lookout for up-and-coming ventures to back over the past few years.

This year, Sharma backed logistics tech startup Prozo. The startup is currently offering supply chain operations for over 150 brands across diverse sectors with more than 45 fulfillment centers and covers over 24,000 pin codes across the country.

Besides, Sharma’s portfolio includes LEO1, Beco, TechEagle, ZappFresh, Veiroots, and the like.

Aside from his investments, Sharma has also been involved in promoting businesses such as ixigo, Goibibo, BharatPe, Swiggy, Noise, among others.

Salman Khan

Salman Khan, one of the most prominent figures in the Indian film industry, has been an entrepreneur for a long time, launching and operating multiple brands under the Being Human umbrella.

This March, Khan invested in Purple Style Labs ahead of its IPO. Purple Style Labs is the parent company of Indian designer brands like Pernia’s Pop Up Studio & Shop, Wendell Rodricks, Hemant Trevedi. In September, it filed its DRHP with SEBI for an IPO that will solely consist of a fresh issue of equity shares worth up to INR 660 Cr.

Besides Purple Style Labs, he has been one of the early backers of listed online travel agency Yatra and short-form video app Chingari. Some of his biggest portfolio brands include GARI, Republic Labs, ProfitBoard, and White Star Capital.

Shah Rukh Khan

Khan, one of the most popular Indian actors globally, backed AI-based media and entertainment startup Mythik via his family office earlier in May this year. Founded by ex-Freecharge CEO Jason Kothari, Mythik uses AI to adapt mythology, history and traditional Indian stories into modernised video content.

Additionally, Khan also backed Mumbai-based investment firm Venture Catalysts in its INR 150 Cr capital raise, along with Param Capital founder Mukul Agarwal, Bollywood actor Aishwarya Rai, among others.

Some of his key investments in the startup landscape include NuMi, Nourish and KidZania, among others. The actor cofounded luxury streetwear brand D’YAVOL Luxury Collective along with his son Aryan Khan last year.

Shraddha Kapoor

Bollywood actor Shraddha Kapoor is one of the most active personalities in the startup landscape. She joined Palmonas in 2024 as a cofounder, which sells affordable premium quality jewellery to their users.

Palmonas raised INR 55 Cr from Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India, to strengthen its 9kt gold demi-fine collection, open 100 new stores in the next 12 months and expand into newer categories.

She also launched Imara in March 2015, an ethnic wear brand along with Sachin Tendulkar’s USPL.

On the investment front, Kapoor backed Purple Style Labs along with Surya Kumar Yadav and Salman Khan in March this year. Her portfolio brands include Power Gummies, Palmonas and Bella Casa, among others.

Surya Kumar Yadav

Indian cricketer Surya Kumar Yadav is playing an active role in the Indian startup space with his promotions and partnering as brand ambassador to various brands.

His portfolio is highly endorsement-focused and he has worked with brands Pintola, Boult Audio, Dream11, Sprite, Lenskart, Reebok, and Skyscanner.

In terms of startup investments, he backed Purple Style Labs along with Shraddha Kapoor and Salman Khan in March this year.

Virat Kohli

Indian cricketer Kohli, who retired from test cricket and T20 cricket as of November, is one of the most active players in the startup space. He runs various businesses in the consumer sector, while he’s also a prominent investor for the past few years.

Kohli owns some of the well-known brands in the country such as sportswear label One8, restobar One8 Commune, fine-dine label Nueva and fashion brand WROGN.

In 2025, Kohli invested in sportswear startup Agilitas along with joining the startup as a co-creator for its portfolio. Agilitas has been working on brand launch and opening stores for Kohli’s lifestyle brand One8.

Pertinent to note that he manages to make his bets in startups via personal stakes and family office. Kohli has backed Digital Insurance, Hyperice, Blue Tribe Foods, Rage Coffee and Slurrp Farm, among others.

(Edited by: Akshit Pushkarna)

The post Stardom Meets Startups: Here Are The Top Celebrity Startup Investors Of 2025 appeared first on Inc42 Media.