Swarrnim Startup and Innovation University Hosts Sportspreneur Event 2025
Two-day event highlights innovation, entrepreneurship, and opportunities in India’s sports ecosystem
- BILKULONLINE | Gandhinagar | 02 Aug 2025
- By Rafat Quadri
Swarrnim Startup and Innovation University has commenced the Sportspreneur Event 2025, a two-day event held on August 1 and 2 at its campus in Bhoyan Rathod, Gandhinagar.
The event serves as a dynamic platform bringing together startups, sports professionals, investors, players, coaches, and students to engage with India’s rapidly evolving sports entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Platform for Innovation and Sports Enterprise
Designed as a confluence of innovation, sports, and enterprise, the event includes startup pitch sessions, exhibitions by sports entrepreneurs, and panel discussions featuring policymakers, national and international athletes, and other key stakeholders in the sports domain. On the first day alone, more than 200 students and entrepreneurs participated, and 15 sports-related startups showcased their products and services.
Spotlight on India’s 2036 Olympic Aspirations
The event comes at a crucial juncture, as India is being considered a potential host for the 2036 Olympics—a development that could significantly boost the nation’s sports, innovation, and enterprise sectors. Sportspreneur 2025 is designed to further strengthen this momentum by supporting emerging sports startups and entrepreneurs through a curated mix of activities, including:
- Startup pitch sessions with an opportunity to win seed funding of up to Rs 5 lakh
- Live product demonstrations
- Interactive workshops on sports tech and monetisation
- Branding sessions
- High-impact networking opportunities
- Opening Remarks by Key Dignitaries
RD Barhatt, Joint Industries Commissioner, MSME & Startup Gujarat, opened the event by emphasising the need to align innovation with athletic ambition 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, highlighted the long-term benefits of India potentially hosting the Olympics commented that “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.”
Felicitation of Athletes and Key Partnerships
During the opening ceremony, 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. Among them were six international and six national athletes, specially recognised for their outstanding performance.
A significant milestone of the event was the signing of an MoU between Paras Shah, President of the Cerebral Palsy Sports Federation of India, and Dr Ragin Shah, Provost of Swarrnim Startup and Innovation University. This partnership aims to accelerate athletic initiatives and promote inclusive sports development.
Vision for Sports and Entrepreneurship
Rishabh Jain, President of Swarrnim Startup and Innovation University, remarked on the growing relevance of sports entrepreneurship.
“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.”
Dr Ragin Shah, Provost, echoed this sentiment and underlined the importance of creating a lasting impact. Speaking to BILKULONLINE he reiterated that , “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.”
Swarrnim Startup and Innovation University is India’s first university dedicated to entrepreneurship and innovation. With academic programs spanning engineering, design, management, agriculture, paramedical sciences, and more, the university aims to inspire creative thinking and build future-ready leaders through its startup-centric education model.
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