India’s startup ecosystem is witnessing an exciting crossover of stardom and entrepreneurship. Bollywood actors and sports icons are not just endorsing brands – they’re founding companies, investing in startups, and leveraging their fame to scale new ventures. From launching healthy food brands to backing tech-driven platforms, celebrities like Ranveer Singh, PV Sindhu, Katrina Kaif, and Shilpa Shetty are channeling their influence and passions into business. These star-powered ventures span nutrition, retail, beauty, and wellness, bringing credibility and nationwide attention to India’s innovators. Below, we dive into each celebrity’s entrepreneurial journey, the startups they’ve championed, and how their involvement is reshaping the landscape.
Ranveer Singh: Flexing Entrepreneurial Muscle in Nutrition and Lifestyle
Known for his energy on-screen, Ranveer Singh is bringing the same enthusiasm to the startup arena. A lifelong fitness buff, Ranveer recently co-founded SuperYou, a protein foods and supplements brand, alongside entrepreneur Nikunj Biyani. SuperYou debuted in late 2024 with India’s first protein wafer bars – a snack that packs 10g of protein per serving with no added sugar. Backed by venture builder Think9 and a planned ₹40–50 crore investment, the brand aims to make protein intake "simple, affordable, and effective" for busy Indians. Ranveer’s motivation is deeply personal: “I've been a fitness enthusiast my entire life… I wanted to create something that makes protein consumption simple, affordable, and effective,” he says. SuperYou’s goal is ambitious – hitting ₹500 crore revenue in five years – and with Ranveer’s 50% stake and star power behind it, the venture is off to a strong start.
Beyond SuperYou, Ranveer Singh has been steadily building a startup portfolio that aligns with his persona and interests:
- Bold Care – Sexual Wellness: Ranveer is a co-founder and brand ambassador of Bold Care, a men’s sexual health startup tackling stigmatized issues like erectile dysfunction. Bold Care blends modern medicine with natural remedies and recently crossed ₹100 crore ARR. In early 2025, the company raised $5 million in Series A funding, with Ranveer’s involvement cited as key to its mission-driven approach.
- SUGAR Cosmetics – Beauty D2C: Ranveer took a stake in SUGAR Cosmetics, a popular direct-to-consumer makeup brand co-founded by Vineeta Singh. The company noted that Ranveer would act as a “brand evangelist,” leveraging his influence to connect the brand with new markets.
- boAt – Audio Electronics: Ranveer also reportedly has a stake in boAt, the youth-focused electronics brand known for headphones and wearables. His association with boAt (often via equity-for-endorsement deals) underscores a trend of celebrities taking ownership in brands they promote.
From nutritious foods to personal care tech, Ranveer’s investments carry his trademark all-in attitude. By co-founding brands and taking equity in startups, he’s not merely a face of campaigns but a strategic partner in growth. His crossover into business illustrates how Bollywood’s new generation is using its clout to build brands that matter.
PV Sindhu: From Olympic Podiums to Empowering Startups
Olympic badminton star Pusarla V. Sindhu is extending her winning streak beyond sports into the startup world. Known for her determination on the court, Sindhu has been strategically investing in companies that focus on empowerment, health, and community.
Some of PV Sindhu’s notable business ventures include:
- KiranaPro – AI-Powered Retail Platform: In February 2025, Sindhu became the first investor in KiranaPro, a quick-commerce platform aimed at digitizing local kirana (corner) stores. She also signed on as the official brand ambassador, prominently featuring in campaigns and even sporting the KiranaPro logo during tournaments.
- Hoop – Wellness D2C Brand: Sindhu announced an investment in Hoop, a Gurugram-based direct-to-consumer wellness startup focused on pain relief, better sleep, stress management, and active lifestyles.
- Better Nutrition – Agri-tech Nutrition Startup: Expanding into agricultural innovation, PV Sindhu invested in Better Nutrition (by Greenday Inc.), which produces bio-fortified staples to tackle micronutrient deficiencies in everyday diets.
Sindhu’s approach to startups is clearly purpose-driven. Whether it’s digitizing small retailers or improving public health through better food and wellness products, she gravitates toward ventures that empower others. By choosing startups that echo her values of hard work, health, and community, PV Sindhu is proving to be as formidable in business as she is in sports.
Katrina Kaif: Building a Beauty Brand with Purpose and Profit
Superstar Katrina Kaif has seamlessly transformed from being one of Bollywood’s most glamorous actresses to a savvy businesswoman in the beauty industry. In 2019, Katrina co-created Kay Beauty, which has since become one of India’s leading celebrity-led cosmetic brands. Partnering with beauty e-commerce giant Nykaa, Katrina embarked on a mission to offer high-performance makeup that cares for the skin and celebrates every skin tone.
Kay Beauty has achieved remarkable success – boasting a GMV of ₹150 crore and presence in 300+ stores and 1,600+ cities via Nykaa’s omni-channel network. By 2024, Kay Beauty even went international, launching in the Middle East.
Katrina’s blend of creative vision and business acumen with Kay Beauty has not only won loyal customers but also delivered financial returns. Her stake in Nykaa saw a 10x appreciation after its IPO, proving the potential for celebrities to gain substantial returns by taking an entrepreneurial route.
Shilpa Shetty: From Fitness Guru to Startup Investor Extraordinaire
Actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra has long been synonymous with wellness and healthy living. In recent years, she’s taken her passion for health and business savvy to India’s startup scene, emerging as one of Bollywood’s most active angel investors.
- WickedGud – “Unjunking” Processed Foods: Shilpa invested ₹2.25 crore in WickedGud, a food startup making indulgent staples like pasta and noodles without maida, oil, or MSG.
- Mamaearth – Natural Personal Care: Shilpa was an early investor in Mamaearth, a toxin-free beauty and personal care brand. Her stake value skyrocketed after the company’s IPO, netting her multi-crore returns.
- KisanKonnect – Farm-to-Fork Supply Chain: Shilpa took an equity stake in KisanKonnect, a farm-to-fork startup that connects farmers directly with consumers.
By combining her credibility as a fitness icon with strategic funding, Shilpa is helping these startups scale rapidly, proving that celebrity influence can translate into serious business success.
Conclusion: Star Power Meets Startup Innovation
From protein bars to beauty brands, and from local kirana shops to farm-fresh crops, India’s celebrities are leaving an indelible mark on the startup landscape. This convergence of entertainment, sports, and entrepreneurship is reshaping India’s startup ecosystem, accelerating brand building, democratizing entrepreneurship, and encouraging new investment cultures.
As these icons continue to grow their business portfolios, they are not only expanding their own legacies beyond films and sports but also championing the spirit of entrepreneurship across the country. And for India’s startups, having these stars in their corner is proving to be a game-changer – unlocking new possibilities, one venture at a time.