Sportswear Startup Strengthens War Chest For Expansion
Agilitas Sports has raised Rs 225 crore in fresh funding from existing investor Nexus Venture Partners and Rainmatter as it accelerates its ambitions to build a vertically integrated sportswear and athleisure powerhouse.
The round comprises a Rs 200 crore follow-on investment from Nexus Venture Partners and a Rs 25 crore investment from Rainmatter, underscoring investor confidence in the company’s long-term growth strategy.
The latest funding comes less than two years after Agilitas was founded and follows its Rs 100 crore fundraising round from Nexus Venture Partners in December 2023.
How Will Agilitas Use The Fresh Capital?
According to the company, the newly raised funds will be deployed across multiple growth initiatives, including product research and development, design capabilities, manufacturing expansion, retail growth, technology investments, talent acquisition, and brand building.
The company is betting on India’s rapidly growing sportswear and athleisure market, where rising fitness awareness and lifestyle changes are driving demand for premium athletic products.
By controlling the entire value chain from design and manufacturing to retail and distribution Agilitas aims to respond faster to evolving consumer preferences while improving margins.
Building A Fully Integrated Sportswear Platform
Founded in 2023 by Abhishek Ganguly, the former Managing Director of Puma India and Southeast Asia, Agilitas is building an end-to-end sportswear ecosystem covering footwear, apparel, and accessories.
The company’s strategy focuses on integrating research and development, product design, manufacturing, distribution, and retail under one umbrella.
This approach is intended to help Agilitas compete more effectively against both global sportswear giants and emerging domestic brands.
Key Acquisitions And Strategic Partnerships
One of Agilitas’ most significant moves came in 2023 when it acquired Mochiko Shoes, a major footwear manufacturer known for producing shoes for international brands such as Adidas and Puma.
The acquisition gave Agilitas direct access to large-scale manufacturing capabilities and strengthened its position in the sports footwear segment.
The company also attracted attention when Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli transferred his sports and lifestyle brand One8 to Agilitas and invested Rs 40 crore in the company.
The partnership significantly enhanced Agilitas’ brand visibility and positioned it to capitalize on Kohli’s strong consumer appeal.
Retail Expansion Through Sportsyard
Agilitas is also expanding its multi-brand retail chain, Sportsyard, which houses leading international sportswear brands including Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Asics, Puma, and Skechers.
According to the company, its first Sportsyard store in Bengaluru became profitable within just two months of launch.
Encouraged by the early performance, Agilitas plans to open 10 additional Sportsyard outlets during the current financial year.
The expansion reflects the company’s confidence in organized sports retail and rising consumer demand for premium athletic products.
Lotto Rights And Ecommerce Growth
Agilitas further strengthened its portfolio by securing exclusive long-term licensing rights to manufacture and distribute the Lotto sportswear label across India, Australia, and South Africa.
The company is also investing heavily in digital commerce and expects ecommerce channels, including online marketplaces and its direct-to-consumer platform, to contribute 25-30% of overall revenue in the coming years.
What Does This Mean For India’s Sportswear Market?
The latest funding highlights growing investor interest in India’s sportswear and athleisure sector, which continues to benefit from increasing health consciousness, fitness participation, and premiumization trends.
With manufacturing capabilities, strong retail ambitions, strategic brand partnerships, and backing from prominent investors, Agilitas is positioning itself as one of the most closely watched startups in India’s sports and lifestyle ecosystem.
