🌟 Top Actors as Startup Founders and Investors
Top Actors as Startup Founders and Investors
The trend in India shows many actors are focusing on D2C (Direct-to-Consumer) brands in the wellness, fashion, and sustainability spaces.2
| Actor/Celebrity | Role (Founder/Investor) | Notable Startup/Company | Sector/Industry |
| Deepika Padukone | Founder & Investor | 82°E (Personal Care Brand), KA Enterprises (Investment firm) | Skincare, Wellness, Spacetech (Bellatrix Aerospace) |
| Alia Bhatt | Founder & Investor | Ed-a-Mamma (Kids & Maternity Wear), Investor in Nykaa | Sustainable Fashion, Beauty, Sustainability (Phool.Co) |
| Priyanka Chopra Jonas | Founder & Investor | Anomaly (Haircare Brand), Investor in Bumble | Haircare, Dating/Tech, Education (Holberton School) |
| Ranveer Singh | Co-founder & Investor | Bold Care (Men’s Sexual Wellness), Investor in Sugar Cosmetics, boAt | Wellness, Cosmetics, Consumer Tech |
| Shilpa Shetty Kundra | Investor | Mamaearth, WickedGud, Fast&Up | Health & Wellness, D2C Food Products |
| Suniel Shetty | Investor | Aquatein, Vieroots | Fitness, Health Drinks, D2C |
| Anushka Sharma | Founder & Investor | NUSH (Clothing line), Investor in Blue Tribe (Plant-based meat), Slurrp Farm | Fashion, Sustainable Food, Insurtech (Digit Insurance) |
| Katrina Kaif | Investor | Nykaa, Hyugalife | Beauty, Health & Wellness |
| Shah Rukh Khan | Founder & Investor | Red Chillies VFX (VFX Studio), KidZania (Amusement Parks) | Media & Entertainment, Edutainment |
| Actor | Primary Business/Investment Focus | Key Ventures & Startups |
| Amitabh Bachchan | Angel Investor, EdTech, FinTech, Celebrity Merchandise | 🔹 AB Corp: His production and event management company. 🔹 Investments: Major investor in companies like PB Fintech (Policybazaar’s parent company, which is a public exit), Just Dial, Eduisfun (EdTech), and Stepapp (EdTech). |
| Shah Rukh Khan | Film Production, Sports Franchise, Edutainment | 🔹 Red Chillies Entertainment: His major film production and VFX studio. 🔹 Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): Co-owner of the successful IPL team. 🔹 KidZania India: Holds a significant stake in the edutainment center franchise. 🔹 Family Office Investments: Involved in various sectors, including waste management, F&B (Subko Coffee), and FinTech. |
| Suniel Shetty | Angel Investor, Health & Fitness, Consumer Brands | 🔹 Investments: Prolific angel investor in numerous startups, including: FITTR (Fitness/Social community), Proxgy (AR/VR-based services), Regrip (Tire recycling), and Klassroom (EdTech). 🔹 Co-founder: Co-founded MetaMan and the popular fitness startup Squats. |
| Akshay Kumar | Angel Investor, Health & Wellness, Agriculture | 🔹 Investments: Focuses on the fitness and consumer space: GOQii (Wearable devices/Fitness), FITTR (Fitness community), and Two Brothers Organic Farms (Agritech). 🔹 Partnership: Partnered with The Good Glamm Group to enter the men’s personal care market. |
| Sanjay Dutt | Alcohol Beverages (Alcobev), Film Production, Sports | 🔹 The Glenwalk: Co-launched this premium Indian whisky brand. 🔹 Investments: Invested in the alcobev startup Cartel & Bros. 🔹 Sanjay Dutt Productions: His film production house. 🔹 Super Fight League: Co-founded India’s first mixed martial arts (MMA) league. |
| Sunny Deol | Film Production, Real Estate | 🔹 Sunny Sounds Pvt. Ltd.: His production house, which has produced films like Dillagi and Ghayal Once Again. 🔹 Real Estate: Owns various properties in Mumbai (including his bungalow in Juhu) and land in Punjab. |
| Kunal Khemu | Author, Content Creation, Direction | 🔹 Author: Co-authored the children’s book series Inni & Bobo with his wife, Soha Ali Khan. 🔹 Direction/Production: Made his successful directorial debut with the film Madgaon Express, indicating a strong move into the business and creative control aspects of filmmaking. |
📌 Key Trend
✅ Actors are moving from endorsement fees → equity + ownership
✅ Focus sectors: D2C, Wellness, Beauty, Sustainability, Tech, Alt-Food
✅ India’s booming consumer startup culture = celebrity-led brands growing fast
🎯 Why Startups Want Celebs (Beyond Fame)
- Instant brand trust
- Built-in distribution via audience
- Media PR without ad spend
- Global reach for D2C brands
- Faster fundraising
📊 Insight
“Next 5 years: Every 3rd D2C brand in India may have a celebrity founder or lead investor.”
There are more Actors having business.
| Actor / Celebrity | Role | Brand / Startup | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saif Ali Khan | Investor / Brand Partner | Myntra, Kurkure (equity-based), House of Pataudi (brand + Myntra collab) | Fashion / Lifestyle |
| Kareena Kapoor Khan | Co-owner / Investor | PUMA India (equity partner), Nykaa (brand equity deal) | Athleisure / Beauty |
| Kajol | Investor | Not publicly confirmed (But associated with socially driven startups & ed-tech platforms) | Social / Education |
| Ajay Devgn | Founder | NY Cinemas (Multiplex chain), Vimal Pan Masala (equity deal) | Entertainment / FMCG |
| Hrithik Roshan | Founder & Investor | HRX (Fashion + Fitness), Cure.fit (equity partner), Zebronics | Fitness / D2C / Tech |
| Tiger Shroff | Co-Founder | Matrix Fight Night (MMA League), Prowl (Activewear) | Sports / Fitness |
| Ranveer Singh | Co-Founder & Investor | IncInk Records (Music Label), boldfit, boAt (equity partner) | Music / Lifestyle |
| Ranbir Kapoor | Investor | Lenskart (Equity Hold), Boat (equity deal), Drone startup Skye Air | Eyewear / Tech / Logistics |
| Himesh Reshammiya | Founder | Himesh Reshammiya Melodies (Music Label), HR Productions | Music / Films |
| Johnny Lever | Endorser (Not investor) | No confirmed startup investment | — |
| Pankaj Tripathi | Social Investor / Brand Equity | Agri & farmer-based startups, Gamcha apparel collab | Rural & Sustainability |
| Manoj Bajpayee | Investor / Brand Equity | Indie films, regional OTT platforms (ownership stake) | Entertainment / OTT |
📌 Also in the Startup Scene (TV & OTT Actors)
| Actor | Startup / Business |
|---|---|
| Ravi Dubey | Dreamiyata Entertainment (Production House) |
| Ronit Roy | Ace Security & Protection Agency (Celebrity Security Firm) |
| Rannvijay Singha | ShareChat, chase (gaming), D2C sneakers brand |
| Suniel Shetty | Aquatein, Fittr, BodyFirst (equity + advisory) |
| Madhuri Dixit | Dance with Madhuri (EdTech dance platform) |
| Shilpa Shetty | MamaEarth, Simple Soulful app, Bastian Restaurants |
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