Indian startups are great centers of discovery and invention, but every once in a while, even the most promising businesses could use a little help from the stars. Many famous people in recent years, whether from the entertainment industry or the sporting world, have become spokespersons for new businesses.
They have been solicited by startups for endorsements and investments, which might lead to substantial financial gains for the celebrities involved. For some, it’s not about the money so much as the thrill of starting a business; becoming an angel is a thrilling and exciting endeavor that is rarely seen in the limelight.
1. Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan and his son Abhishek Bachchan have put up about $250,000 to back Ziddu.com, a blockchain research firm in Singapore. The cloud storage service Ziddu.com is a free option for storing data online.
2. Anushka Sharma
Together with her husband Virat Kohli, Anushka has invested in a number of different enterprises. Additionally, the power couple has invested an undisclosed sum in the “Blue Tribe” plant-based meat firm.
Blue Tribe was created by Sandeep Singh and Nikki Arora Singh in 2017. This new company sells meat substitutes that taste and feel like the real thing but are created from plants. Products like faux chicken nuggets, keema, and even momos are available.
Read Indian Cricketers Who Funded Startups In 2022
3. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, one of the most beautiful people in the world, has put INR 5 crore into a health business called Possible that focuses on nutrition. It wasn’t until 2019 that she made her first investment, in the environmental intelligence business Ambee.
4. Sara Ali Khan
In March of 2022, the star of Love Aaj Kal 2 invested an undisclosed sum in the clothing and pop culture venture The Souled Store. This direct-to-consumer company has made her an ownership partner.
The Souled Store, which opened in 2013, is the go-to destination for licensed items from more than 180 companies, including Disney, Warner Bros., the Indian Premier League (IPL), and Viacom18.
5. Madhuri Dixit
Madhuri Dixit Nene, a veteran of Bollywood, and her husband, Dr. Shriram Nene, invested in GOQii in 2014, a smart-tech enabled, comprehensive preventative healthcare platform that offers an all-encompassing approach to health and wellness.
6. Priyanka Chopra
Priyanka Chopra has invested in the American dating app Bumble. The Indian woman is more than just an investment in the company behind the app; she’s also a partner and an advisor. Reportedly, she began investing in tech businesses after being encouraged to do so by Hollywood actor Ashton Kutcher.
7. Akshay Kumar
As Madhuri Dixit did before him, actor Akshay Kumar has now also made an investment in the dating app GOQii. According to a report, GOQii CEO and co-founder Vishal Gondal remarked, “We are really thrilled to have Akshay Kumar as part of our GOQii Family.” He is the embodiment of all we at GOQii stand for and a shining example of the principles we promote: regular exercise, nutritious diet, and adequate relaxation.
8. Farhan Akhtar
Farhan Akhtar, star of the film Bhag Mikha Bhaag, has invested in the movie app Flickbay, which includes trailers, music, reviews, news, and ratings for all currently playing films. With the use of AI and ML, the service provides individualized recommendations for viewing pleasure.
9. Ranveer Singh
Singer and actor Ranveer Singh has made an undisclosed investment in SUGAR Cosmetics, a pioneer in the omnichannel cosmetics industry. The cosmetics brand first hit the market in 2012, and it’s known for its high-end, animal-friendly cosmetics.
10. Suniel Shetty
In February of 2022, actor Suniel Shetty spent an undisclosed sum in the fitness firm Aquatein. He also took on the role of spokesman for the fledgling company. Ananta Prabhala created Aquatein in 2019 as a protein-infused water that is ketogenic, gluten-free, lactose-free, and vegetarian.
11. Pankaj Tripathi
The actor Pankaj Tripathi, who typically plays bad guys in films, has made an undisclosed investment in the Krishi Network agricultural technology company. With this funding, Krishi Network plans to rapidly extend its AI-based technology platform across India.
12. Shilpa Shetty Kundra
During the month of July 2022, Shilpa Shetty made an undisclosed investment in direct-to-consumer nutraceutical companies Fast&Up and Chicnutrix.
She has also joined forces with these businesses as an “ambassador,” contributing to the promotion of self-care and health in India. Shilpa Shetty has also put money into Simple Soulful and Mamaearth.
13. Samantha Prabhu
Samantha Prabhu partially financed the Hyderabad-based online marketplace for eco-friendly goods SustainKart in March 2022. Founded in 2021 by Shilpa Reddy and Kanthi Dutt, SustainKart is an online retailer that sells eco-friendly and sustainable products in a wide variety of categories, including clothing and accessories, interior design, personal care, food and drink, toys and games, and more.
Read Indian Cricketers Who Funded Startups In 2022
Conclusion
The general populace is served by both Bollywood and Indian start-ups. Famous people have consistently demonstrated a keen interest in new ventures. Bollywood actors and cricketers who have made it big in their own fields are also angel investors.
The fact that A-listers like Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt are putting their money where their mouths are, investing in startups, speaks eloquently about the growth of the Indian startup ecosystem in terms of new companies, first-time founders, global funding, and consolidation.