How Virat Kohli’s Business Partner Anjana Reddy Built a Rs 1200 Crore Fashion Empire
Virat Kohli is not only a cricket superstar, but also a savvy businessman who has invested in multiple ventures and startups. One of his most successful business partners is Anjana Reddy, the founder and CEO of Universal Sportsbiz Pvt Ltd (USPL), which owns popular fashion brands like Wrogn, Imara, Ms Taken, and Single.
Anjana Reddy started her entrepreneurial journey in 2011, when she launched Collectabillia, a branded sports memorabilia business. She managed to get Sachin Tendulkar as an investor and Virat Kohli as a brand ambassador for her company. However, the business model did not work out as expected, and she pivoted to the apparel industry.
She decided to create celebrity-led fashion brands that catered to different segments of consumers. She launched Wrogn, a youth-oriented casual wear brand, with Virat Kohli as the co-owner and face of the brand. She also launched Imara, an ethnic wear brand for women, with Shraddha Kapoor as the brand ambassador. She followed it up with Ms Taken, a western wear brand for women, with Kriti Sanon as the brand ambassador. She also launched Single, a unisex casual wear brand, with Aditya Roy Kapur as the brand ambassador.
Anjana Reddy’s strategy of associating celebrities with brands paid off, as her company grew rapidly in the online and offline markets. She partnered with leading retailers like Shoppers Stop, Myntra, Pantaloons, and Future Group to sell her products across the country. She also expanded her portfolio to include accessories, footwear, and eyewear.
According to reports, her firm has secured a total funding of 81.5 million dollars from various investors, including Accel Partners, Alteria Capital, and Flipkart co-founder Binny Bansal. In 2021, she secured 5.23 million dollars in debt funding from BlackSoil Capital. In 2018, the company secured a valuation of over Rs 1200 crore. Her net worth was around Rs 300 crore in 2022.
Anjana Reddy is one of the most successful women entrepreneurs in India, who has built a Rs 1200 crore firm from scratch, without any expertise in retail. She has also created a strong bond with Virat Kohli, who is not only her business partner, but also her friend and mentor. She has said that Virat Kohli is very involved in the creative process of Wrogn, and gives his inputs on the designs and styles.
Anjana Reddy’s story is an inspiration for many aspiring entrepreneurs who want to pursue their passion and make their mark in the world. She has shown that with hard work, determination, and innovation, anything is possible.
