Biography of Puru Singh: Founder & CEO of Push Sports -Entrepreneur
Biography of Puru Singh:
Beginnings of Push Sports
Puru Singh’s journey into the world of sports
entrepreneurship began from a place of passion and determination. Having been
deeply involved in cricket, Puru spent seven years playing for Delhi and even
became the highest wicket-taker in the North Zone during his Under-22 career.
Despite these accomplishments, he realized that opportunities in cricket were
scarce, especially for players who were not yet part of the elite IPL or Ranji
circuits. Struggling to find a career path in sports, he initially worked as a
cabin crew member in the aviation industry. But his love for cricket and sports
in general pulled him away from the aviation job, as he quit his comfortable
career at the age of 33, ready to take a leap of faith in the sports sector.
Starting Push Sports Academy
In 2016, Puru founded Push Sports, starting with a humble
cricket academy at Sushant University in Gurugram. With just two nets, three
students, and a couple of coaches, he began his journey. The academy faced many
challenges, especially financial constraints. Puru borrowed about one lakh
rupees to make the academy functional. Despite these initial hardships, his
vision was much broader: to grow the academy and eventually create a chain of
sports centers across India, offering top-notch sports education.
A Partner Enters the Scene
Puru's initial journey was solitary, but the turning point
came when Nitin Pahuja entered the picture. Nitin, a passionate sports
enthusiast and the captain of the Yes Bank Cricket Team, saw Puru’s post on
social media showcasing kids in Push Sports jerseys. Impressed by the vision,
Nitin reached out to Puru, offering to join him as a business partner. Nitin,
who had a corporate background, initially offered to help with marketing and
operational tasks. He officially joined the venture in 2020 after resigning
from his senior corporate job at Yes Bank. The duo’s combined skills and
commitment quickly helped Push Sports grow beyond what Puru could have imagined
on his own.
The Push Sports Vision
Push Sports began with the goal of not just coaching
athletes but transforming the sports ecosystem in India. Puru and Nitin
envisioned the company as a full-stack sports solutions organization,
incorporating a variety of sports and creating an environment where physical
activity and professional training would be accessible to everyone, from
children to adults. Push Sports aimed to provide coaching in multiple sports,
including cricket, badminton, table tennis, football, and swimming, among
others, with the mission of instilling healthy habits and skills across all age
groups.
Scaling Up Push Sports
The growth of Push Sports was rapid. By the end of its
second year, the academy expanded to two locations, with over 150 students. By
2020, the number of students had swelled to 300, and the business model had
evolved to include multiple sports disciplines. During this period, the
founders realized the potential of scaling further by expanding their services
into schools and colleges, creating a network of sports facilities and offering
structured sports programs to students during and after school hours.
The Setback: COVID-19 Pandemic
However, like most businesses, Push Sports was severely
affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. With the lockdowns in place, they were
unable to operate their academies or continue their coaching programs. This was
a huge setback, as the company had to deal with the financial strain of paying
for school playground rentals while having zero students. The pandemic almost
brought their operations to a standstill, but despite these challenges, the
founders remained focused on the long-term vision.
Diversified Offerings and Future Plans
Once the pandemic restrictions eased, Push Sports focused on
reviving its operations. In addition to offering coaching services, the company
expanded its business model to build sports infrastructure in schools, provide
digital assessments, and gamify training for better results. The founders’ aim
was not just to provide a place to play but to create a structured environment
for skill development, monitoring progress through tools like gamified
assessments and digital report cards.
Push Sports’ Growth and Impact
Over the years, Push Sports managed to train over 7,000
students and establish sports facilities at 17 locations across Delhi, Gurgaon,
Noida, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Jaipur, and Sonipat. The company became known for
its comprehensive training programs, which included physical conditioning,
technical skills development, and mental coaching. This wide-reaching network
provided more opportunities for youth to pursue sports seriously, and several
students even progressed to compete at the national level.
Biography of Puru Singh: Founder & CEO of Push Sports -Entrepreneur/age/net worth/investor/startup/cricket academy/Push Sports story/Puru Singh
Shark Tank India Appearance
In a bold move to accelerate growth, Push Sports applied for
funding on Shark Tank India, Season 3. During their pitch, Puru and Nitin
shared their vision of revolutionizing sports in India by offering world-class
training and sports solutions. They pitched for an investment of ₹80 lakhs in
exchange for 1% equity at a valuation of ₹80 crores. Their pitch highlighted
the increasing importance of sports in India, especially among youth, and how
Push Sports was well-positioned to capitalize on this trend by offering
structured and professional sports education.
Securing the Deal on Shark Tank
The Sharks were impressed with the potential of the business
but had several questions about the scalability and financial model. After a
detailed discussion, Vineeta Singh and Peyush Bansal were convinced by Push
Sports' vision and offered to invest ₹80 lakhs for 4% equity with a 2% royalty
until the investment was recouped. The founders negotiated to combine the
offers from the two Sharks, and the deal was finalized at a valuation of ₹20
crores, marking a significant milestone in the company’s growth.
Push Sports’ Business Model
Push Sports operates on a "Build, Train, and
Monetize" model. The first phase, "Build," involves creating
sports infrastructure in schools and other locations. In the "Train"
phase, the company focuses on offering training programs during and after
school hours. Finally, the "Monetize" phase generates revenue by
charging schools rental fees for the use of their playgrounds and facilities.
This model allows Push Sports to maintain a steady revenue stream while continuing
to grow its network of facilities.
The Importance of Coaches and Technology
One of the key differentiators for Push Sports is its focus
on both the quality of coaches and the use of technology in training. The
company has a network of over 80 qualified coaches who are trained to assess
and develop athletes in various sports. In addition, Push Sports leverages
digital tools to assess student progress and create gamified learning
experiences. These innovative methods help the company stand out in an
otherwise traditional market.
Challenges and Triumphs Along the Way
The journey of Push Sports has not been without its
challenges. From starting with a minimal investment to navigating the
difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company has faced several
roadblocks. However, with determination, smart partnerships, and a clear
vision, Push Sports has managed to overcome these hurdles and continues to
thrive. The success of Push Sports is a testament to the founders' commitment
to creating a sustainable sports culture in India.
Looking Ahead
With the backing of investors Vineeta Singh and Peyush
Bansal, Push Sports is set to scale even further. The company is focused on
expanding its reach to more locations, increasing the number of students it
trains, and further developing its tech-driven solutions to make sports more
accessible and impactful. The founders are optimistic about the future and are
determined to contribute to India’s sports ecosystem by creating more
opportunities for students to excel in sports and lead healthier lives.
A timeline of Puru Singh’s journey with Push Sports:
Pre-2016: Puru Singh, a former cricketer and the highest
wicket-taker in the North Zone Under-22 career, faces limited opportunities in
professional cricket. He works as a cabin crew member before deciding to pursue
a career in sports entrepreneurship at 33.
2016: Puru establishes Push Sports with a cricket academy at
Sushant University in Gurugram, starting with limited resources—two nets, three
students, and a small coaching team. He borrows ₹1 lakh to fund the initial
setup.
2020: Nitin Pahuja, a corporate professional and cricket
enthusiast, partners with Puru after being impressed by Push Sports’ vision.
Nitin helps with marketing and operations, contributing to the academy's rapid
growth.
2020: Push Sports expands to two locations with 300 students
and begins offering coaching across multiple sports, including cricket,
badminton, table tennis, football, and swimming. They explore partnerships with
schools and colleges.
2020-2021: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupts Push Sports’
operations, forcing the company to halt in-person training and face financial
strain.
Post-2021: After the pandemic, Push Sports diversifies its
offerings, incorporating sports infrastructure development in schools, digital
assessments, and gamified training to enhance skill development and tracking
progress.
2023: Push Sports has trained over 7,000 students and
established facilities in 17 locations across multiple cities, including Delhi,
Gurgaon, Noida, Jaipur, and Faridabad.
2023: Push Sports pitches for ₹80 lakh investment on Shark
Tank India, offering 1% equity at a ₹80 crore valuation. Vineeta Singh and
Peyush Bansal invest ₹80 lakh for 4% equity and 2% royalty.
2024: With investor backing, Push Sports aims to scale
further, expand its student base, and enhance tech-driven solutions to make
sports education more accessible.
