- Two-day event highlights innovation, entrepreneurship and opportunities in India’s sports ecosystem
- On the day one, more than 200 students and entrepreneurs participated and 15 sports related startups exhibited their products and services.
- To match global momentum, our sports sector must aim for a compounded annual growth of 14%. With the right support, this market can generate employment for over one crore people: RD Barhatt, Joint Industries Commissioner, MSME & Startup Gujarat
- If Gujarat becomes a host for the 2036 Olympics, it could catalyse massive infrastructure and economic growth: BH Talati, Director, Gujarat Knowledge Society
- As India’s sports landscape continues to evolve, the domain of sports entrepreneurship is gaining significant traction: Rishabh Jain, President, Swarrnim Startup and Innovation University
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
GANDHINAGAR, AUG 2
Swarrnim Startup and Innovation University hosted the Sportspreneur Event 2025 on Friday and Saturday- August 1 and 2, at University’s campus at Bhoyan Rathod in Gandhinagar. Designed as a convergence of innovations, sports and enterprise, the event offered a platform for startups, sports professionals, investors, players, coaches and students to engage with the fast-evolving sports entrepreneurship ecosystem. The event addressed key aspects of the sports sector ecosystem including pitching of startups, exhibitions by sports entrepreneurs, panel discussion with policy makers, national and international athletes and the other key stakeholders. On the day one, more than 200 students and entrepreneurs participated and 15 sports related startups exhibited their products and services.
The event took place at a time when Bharat is being considered as a potential host for the 2036 Olympics, a prospect that will fortify India’s growing synergy between sports, innovation, and enterprise. Sportspreneur Event 2025 aimed to further fuel this momentum by supporting budding sports entrepreneurs and startups through a range of curated experiences. These include startup pitch sessions with a chance to win seed funding of up to Rs 5 lakh, live product demos, interactive workshops on sports tech and monetisation, branding sessions, and high-impact networking opportunities.
During his opening remarks, RD Barhatt, Joint Industries Commissioner, MSME & Startup Gujarat, said, “As India eyes the 2036 Olympics, now is the time to align innovation with athletic ambition. Startups can play a vital role in solving real problems through tech, smart equipment, and esports. To match global momentum, our sports sector must aim for a compounded annual growth of 14%. With the right support, this market can generate employment for over one crore people. Before launching policies, it’s essential to assess on-ground needs — and that’s where startups step in as solution creators.”
BH Talati, Director, Gujarat Knowledge Society, said, “If Gujarat becomes a host for the 2036 Olympics, it could catalyse massive infrastructure and economic growth. To seize this opportunity, we must strengthen grassroots sports, attract serious investment, and unlock the vast potential of sports entrepreneurship.”
The event features keynote addresses by leading figures in the fields of sports, startups, and venture capital, and includes exclusive lounge access for selected participants. During the opening ceremony, at least 25 national and international athletes across disciplines such as athletics, wrestling, kabaddi, and para sports were felicitated for their achievements and contributions to Indian sports.
Furthermore, six international and six national athletes were felicitated for their outstanding achievements. Additionally, an MoU was signed between Paras Shah, President of the Cerebral Palsy Sports Federation of India, and Dr Ragin Shah, Provost of Swarrnim Startup and Innovation University, to accelerate athletic initiatives and foster inclusive sports development.
Rishabh Jain, President, Swarrnim Startup and Innovation University, said, “As India’s sports landscape continues to evolve, the domain of sports entrepreneurship is gaining significant traction. The idea behind organising this event is to create a meaningful convergence of innovation and sports by providing a dynamic space for collaboration, exchange, and growth among budding entrepreneurs, sportspersons and investors.”
Swarrnim Startup and Innovation University is India’s first university dedicated to entrepreneurship and innovation.
Dr Ragin Shah, Provost, Swarrnim Startup and Innovation University, said, “Sportspreneur 2025 aims to build a culture where entrepreneurship and sport go hand in hand. As the sports sector rapidly grows, events like this help young innovators build stronger teams, stay open to feedback, and turn bold ideas into real-world impact — especially as India looks ahead to opportunities like the 2036 Olympics.”
With academic offerings across engineering, design, management, agriculture, paramedical sciences, and more, the university’s mission is to inspire creative thinking and build future-ready leaders through a startup-centric education model.
