Centre Court Capital

Centre Court Capital is a venture capital firm based in Mumbai, India, dedicated to investing in the burgeoning sports, fitness, wellness, esports, and gaming sectors. The firm's core objective is to cultivate a robust ecosystem within India where these industries can thrive, backing founders who are pushing the boundaries of innovation in these spaces. They focus on companies that leverage technology to enhance training, performance, fan engagement, and immersive experiences across the sporting and gaming landscape.

The firm was incorporated on December 8, 2022, and officially launched in April 2024. It was founded by Mustafa Ghouse, who serves as the General Partner, and Alok Samtaney, a Partner. Mustafa Ghouse, a former CEO of JSW Sports and a professional tennis player, identified a significant gap in the Indian sports industry that the fund aims to address. The firm's investment strategy emphasizes venture investments in companies with both India-focused and global potential.

Centre Court Capital recently closed its maiden fund at INR 410 crore, surpassing its initial target. This fund is anchored by Parth Jindal and supported by prominent institutional investors like SIDBI and Premji Invest, as well as notable athletes and entrepreneurs. The firm targets early-stage investments, specifically pre-Series A and Series A rounds, with initial ticket sizes ranging from INR 8 crore to INR 24 crore. They plan to make between 15 and 18 investments, reserving substantial capital for follow-on rounds.

Their portfolio includes companies such as Stupa Sports Analytics, which offers AI-driven analytics for player performance; Michezo Sports, a sports infrastructure company; Quidich Innovation Labs, specializing in aerial and broadcast technology; Airoclip, a gaming studio focused on AI-driven personalization; and Fancraze Technologies, a fan engagement platform for cricket. The team, comprising experienced professionals like Faraz Abdi (Senior Associate), Priya Shah (Financial Controller), Shagun Shah (Associate), and Vaibhavi Deshmukh (Analyst), is committed to providing both capital and extensive network access to empower their portfolio companies.