Virat Kohli Sells One8 Brand to Agilitas Sports, Invests ₹40 Crore in Minority Stake

Kohli takes his premium sportswear brand global as Agilitas plans international expansion and strategic partnerships.

Cricketer Virat Kohli sells One8 sportswear and athleisure brand to Agilitas Sports and invests Rs 40 crore in a minority stake in the latter, marking another step in Virat Kohli business ventures.

Agilitas buys One8 eight months after Kohli, India's most successful Test cricket captain, ended an 8-year Rs 110-crore partnership deal with German sports footwear and apparel manufacturer Puma's India arm.

According to Abhishek Ganguly, cofounder and CEO of Agilitas Sports, One8 will now operate as an independent premium worldwide sports brand, and they are finalizing distribution partnerships in markets such as the UK, South Africa, and the US.

Based on regulatory documents in the corporate affairs ministry, Kohli spent Rs 40 crore in Agilitas to obtain a 1.94 percent equity stake through compulsorily convertible preference shares (CCPS), marking another step in virat kohli ₹40 crore investment and business ventures. In 2017, Kohli founded One8 with Puma. Puma and One8's agreement was predicated on a non-equity licensing partnership.

Ganguly, former Puma India and South Asia managing director, stated Agilitas is also in talks with international sports events about sponsorship deals for One8 as well as visibility through athletes using its products but refused to clarify, citing that the deals were in various stages of discussions.

Agilitas buys One8 as part of its expansion plan and is in advanced discussions to rise additional funding from Nexus Venture Partners, one of its current investors. Advised funds from Convergent Finance are among its other investors. Agilitas is the owner of Mochiko Shoes, which produces shoes for Skechers, Adidas, Puma, New Balance, and Lotto.

A year later, it acquired the licensing rights for the Italian shoe brand Lotto, which allows it to manufacture and sell Lotto products in the country, further strengthening Virat Kohli new investment and Virat Kohli business ventures.