MS Dhoni isn’t just India’s most celebrated cricket captain—he’s a legend both on and off the field. From leading India to historic World Cup wins to setting the benchmark for calm and strategic leadership, his cricketing journey is the stuff of folklore. But beyond the pitch, while fans remember him for helicopter shots and lightning stumpings, Dhoni has quietly built a second inning as a savvy startup investor.
In the backdrop of India’s booming startup ecosystem spanning fintech, EVs, wellness, agritech, and creator tech—Dhoni is betting big on innovation. With his trademark focus, foresight, and discipline, he’s channeling the same game-winning instincts into building a smart, future-ready investment portfolio.
MS Dhoni Investments in Startups
| Startup Name | Year of Investment | Industry | Estimated Investment Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garuda Aerospace | 2022 | Drone Tech / Aerospace | ₹4 crore for 1.1% stake | Also brand ambassador |
| Rigi | 2023 | Creator Economy / SaaS | Undisclosed | Enables monetization for creators |
| EMotorad | 2023 | Electric Mobility / E-Bikes | Undisclosed | Focus on green and smart e-bikes |
| Tagda Raho | 2024 | Fitness / Wellness | Undisclosed | Modernized desi workout equipment |
| Shaka Harry | 2022 | Plant-Based Foods | Part of $2.5M round | Backed by Dhoni & other VCs |
| 7Ink Brews (Copter7) | 2021 | F&B / Lifestyle | Undisclosed | Co-founded, inspired by jersey number 7 |
| Khatabook | 2020 | Fintech / MSME SaaS | Undisclosed | 50M+ downloads, Dhoni as ambassador |
| HomeLane | 2021 | Home Interiors / Design | Undisclosed | Strategic investor & brand ambassador |
| BluSmart | 2024 | EV Ride-Hailing / Mobility | Undisclosed | Facing financial losses, sustainability in question |
| Cars24 | 2022 | Used Car Marketplace / AutoTech | Undisclosed | Onboarded as brand ambassador, investor |
| Centricity | 2024 | WealthTech / Fintech | Part of $20M seed round | Invested via family office |
| SILA | 2023 | Real Estate / Property Services | Undisclosed | Invested via family office |
List of Companies MS Dhoni Invested:
Let’s take a look at the lineup of startups where MS Dhoni has put his money.
Garuda Aerospace
MS Dhoni invested ₹4 crore in Garuda Aerospace in early 2024, acquiring a 1.1% stake and joining as the brand ambassador. In April 2025, the Chennai-based drone startup raised ₹100 crore in a Series B round led by Venture Catalysts, valuing the company at $250 million. Founded in 2015 by Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Garuda is a DGCA-approved ‘Make in India’ venture, developing drones for both civilian and defense applications.
The company holds over 20 patents and is currently building a 35,000 sq. ft. Drone Park for R&D. Garuda is projecting ₹122 crore in revenue for FY 2024–25. Its fleet operates in 84 cities, and clients include Swiggy, Flipkart, and DRDO. Most recently, in June 2025, Garuda secured an additional $1 million in funding from the Narotam Sekhsaria Family Office.
EMotorad
In April 2024, MS Dhoni invested in Pune-based EMotorad and also joined the company as its brand ambassador. Founded in 2020 by Rajib Gangopadhyay, Kunal Gupta, Aditya Oza, and Sumedh Battewar, EMotorad manufactures and sells electric bicycles across 350+ dealer outlets and operates 10 experience centers across India. The company has sold over 80,000 units, with 70% of components sourced locally. A $20 million Series B funding round in November 2023 accelerated their growth plans. EMotorad now aims to cross 100,000 units sold globally by FY 2024–25, riding the wave of sustainable urban mobility.
Rigi
In January 2023, MS Dhoni invested in Rigi, a Bengaluru-based platform operating in the creator economy space. Founded by Ananya Singhal and Swapnil Saurav, Rigi empowers educators and influencers to monetize their content through subscriptions, online courses, live workshops, and exclusive communities—primarily on platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. The company raised ₹100 crore in a funding round led by Elevation Capital, with participation from Accel, Sequoia, and Peak XV Partners. Dhoni’s investment aligns with the growing demand for creator-led monetization tools and supports the platform’s vision of democratizing digital income opportunities for individuals across India.
Tagda Raho
Dhoni joined Bengaluru-based Tagda Raho in late 2023, backing its mission to revive traditional Indian fitness practices using tools like the gada, mudgar, and vajra. Founded by Rishabh Malhotra, the brand promotes old-school strength training with a modern twist. Its patented equipment has been adopted by professional teams including the Lucknow Super Giants and the National Cricket Academy. The startup recorded over 225% revenue growth in FY 2023–24, signaling strong market traction.
Shaka Harry
A Bengaluru-based plant-based protein brand, Shaka Harry is riding the wave of sustainable and clean eating trends in India. MS Dhoni invested in the company in October 2022, as part of a funding round where Shaka Harry raised over $2.5 million to scale its range of vegan-friendly products—including kebabs, burger patties, and more. Owned by Liberate Foods and co-founded by Anand Nagarajan and team, the brand aims to meet the rising demand for meat alternatives that are both flavorful and nutritious, offering guilt-free indulgence for the conscious Indian consumer.
7Ink Brews
Launched under the brand name Copter7, 7Ink Brews is a Mumbai-based F&B startup co-founded and backed by MS Dhoni. Inspired by his iconic jersey number 7 and personality, the brand offers a curated range of premium beverages and artisanal chocolates that fuse sports-driven branding with gourmet appeal. The startup has since raised around $7.4 million, achieving a valuation of approximately $38 million.
Khatabook
MS Dhoni became an investor and brand ambassador for Bengaluru-based Khatabook in 2020. The app helps MSMEs and kirana stores manage credit and transactions digitally and has crossed 50 million downloads. With $187 million in funding from investors like Tribe Capital and Y Combinator, Khatabook is a key player in India’s digital business ecosystem.
HomeLane
Dhoni joined HomeLane in 2021 as investor and ambassador. The interior-design tech platform founded by Srikanth Iyer and Tanuj Choudhry, has raised nearly $200 M and serves homeowners across India with end-to-end design and execution backed by tech-enabled project management.
Cars24
In August 2019, MS Dhoni invested an undisclosed amount in Cars24, a Gurugram-based online platform for buying and selling used cars. Founded in 2015 by Vikram Chopra, Mehul Agrawal, Gajendra Jangid, and Ruchit Agarwal, the company simplifies the sale of pre-owned vehicles through a tech-driven approach. Now a unicorn, Cars24 has expanded across India and internationally, backed by leading investors like Y Combinator and Sequoia Capital.
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Other Notable Investments by Dhoni’s Family Office
Beyond individual startup bets, Dhoni’s family office recently backed Gurugram-based fintech platform Centricity in a $20M seed round, valuing it at $125M. The platform targets wealth‑management tools and “phygital” offerings for tier‑2 and tier‑3 markets.
In March 2025, they also invested in SILA, an integrated real estate advisory platform managing 200M sq ft across 125 cities—which is eyeing an IPO within three years.
In July 2025, MS Dhoni’s family office, Midas Deals, invested an undisclosed amount in digital insurance startup Acko. As part of the deal, Dhoni has also joined the company as its brand ambassador.
In mid-2024, Dhoni’s family office invested in BluSmart Mobility during its $24M pre-Series B round. The Gurugram-based EV ride-hailing startup operated 8,000+ electric cars across Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, and Mumbai, with revenues rising from ₹70 crore in FY23 to nearly ₹390 crore in FY24.
However, mounting losses (₹216 crore in FY23) and a major controversy in April 2025 changed the game. SEBI alleged that promoters siphoned ₹262 crore meant for EV purchases into personal luxury spending via related firm Gensol. This led to a regulatory crackdown, board exits, frozen accounts, and a sudden suspension of services in all cities.
In the end, Dhoni’s business moves aren’t random, they reflect his on-field persona: steady, strategic, and forward-looking. From drones and EVs to wellness, fintech, and creator platforms, his investments highlight key tech‑driven sectors of future growth. More importantly, they signal how India’s top athletes are doubling as startup champions.
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FAQs
How many startups has MS Dhoni invested in?
MS Dhoni has invested in over 12 startups across diverse sectors such as EVs, drones, health & wellness, fintech, and creator platforms. His portfolio includes names like Garuda Aerospace, Khatabook, Rigi, EMotorad, Shaka Harry, and Tagda Raho, among others.
Has MS Dhoni invested in any EV or clean-tech companies?
Yes, Dhoni has invested in EMotorad, an electric bicycle company promoting sustainable mobility, and previously backed BluSmart, an all-electric cab service.
What is Garuda Aerospace, and why did Dhoni invest in it?
Garuda Aerospace is a Chennai-based drone tech company that builds UAVs for agriculture, disaster management, and defense. In 2022, Dhoni invested ₹4 crore and became its brand ambassador, supporting India’s growing drone economy.
Has MS Dhoni invested in any health or wellness startups?
Absolutely. Dhoni is an investor in Tagda Raho, a fitness brand reviving traditional Indian workout tools, and Shaka Harry, a plant-based meat startup that promotes healthy, sustainable eating.
Has Dhoni invested in any food or beverage startups?
Yes, he co-founded 7Ink Brews, which launched Copter7 – a premium beverage and chocolate brand inspired by his jersey number and cricket legacy.
Are all of Dhoni’s investments profitable?
Not all. For example, BluSmart, an EV ride-hailing startup Dhoni invested in, has recently faced operational challenges. However, many of his other investments, like Garuda Aerospace and Khatabook, have shown strong market performance.
