Bhavit Sheth (Dream Sports)
Overview
Bhavit Sheth is a prominent Indian entrepreneur and the COO and Co-Founder of Dream Sports, which operates multiple brands, including Dream11, the world's largest fantasy sports platform. Founded in 2008 alongside Harsh Jain, Dream Sports has expanded its reach across various domains, establishing itself as a leader in the sports technology industry in India. The company is renowned for its innovative approaches to enhancing fan engagement through sports, evidenced by strategic partnerships, celebrity endorsements, and significant financial growth.
Recent Developments
In the past couple of years, significant developments have been underway for Bhavit Sheth and Dream Sports:
- August 2025: Following the enactment of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, Dream11 ceased all its paid contests, transitioning to a free-to-play model. This law prohibits games of monetary stakes, causing upheaval in India's online gaming sector. (Livemint)
- April 2025: The Dream Sports Foundation announced the second edition of the Dream Sports Championship, aiming to foster young talent in Indian football. This event included the introduction of a girls’ category to promote inclusivity in sports. (Football Counter)
- August 2025: Bhavit Sheth was appointed as Chairperson of the IAMAI Digital Gaming Committee, aiming to regulate the digital gaming sector responsibly and advocate for industry growth. (Business Standard)
Personal Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Bhavit Rajesh Sheth |
| Born | Mumbai, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | COO & Co-Founder of Dream Sports |
| Known For | Co-founding Dream11 and Dream Sports |
| Education | BE from D.J. Sanghvi College, MBA from Bentley University, Diploma in E-commerce from Harvard |
Early Life and Education
Bhavit Sheth was born and raised in Mumbai, where he completed his Bachelor of Engineering at D.J. Sanghvi College. His quest for knowledge led him to Bentley University in Boston for his MBA and later a diploma in E-commerce strategies from Harvard. His early career involved internships at Godrej & Boyce and exposure to the corporate world via roles in financial research, setting the stage for his strategic and leadership capabilities.
Career and Notable Achievements
Bhavit Sheth's professional journey commenced with the founding of Red Digital in 2010—a digital marketing agency providing comprehensive solutions. Red Digital's success and eventual acquisition by Gozoop marked Sheth’s entry into entrepreneurship. In 2008, Sheth co-founded Dream11 with Harsh Jain, inspired by their passion for English football fantasy leagues. Overcoming several funding challenges, including rejection from 150 investors, they secured investment from Kalaari Capital, catalyzing Dream11's growth. Key milestones include:
- 2019: Dream11 achieved ‘Unicorn’ status with a valuation over $1 billion.
- 2020: Dream Sports was valued at $8 billion following significant investments.
- Successful partnerships with sports celebrities such as Mahendra Singh Dhoni and many IPL franchises.
Current Work and Impact
Currently, Bhavit Sheth remains instrumental in Dream Sports' operations, fostering its growth in non-gaming verticals following India’s gaming regulatory changes. His leadership in the IAMAI Digital Gaming Committee illustrates his commitment to guiding the sector towards sustainable growth. Dream Sports continues leveraging its diversified platform to positively impact India's sports landscape through initiatives like the Dream Sports Foundation.
Dream Sports Foundation
Dream Sports Foundation is the philanthropic branch of Dream Sports, focusing on grassroots sports development across India. It identifies and nurtures young talent through competitions and provides educational opportunities for sports professionals. Initiatives like the Dream Sports Championship aim to cultivate future sports icons by offering them national-level exposure.
Dream Sports Owner
Dream Sports, co-founded by Bhavit Sheth and Harsh Jain, has expanded into several verticals beyond fantasy gaming, including sports content through FanCode and experiential sports travel through DreamSetGo. It has navigated recent laws effectively by shifting focus from real-money games to broader sports engagement platforms.
Dream Sports Share Price
While not publicly traded, Dream Sports has attracted significant venture capital investment. Its high valuation and successful funding rounds underscore investor confidence in its business model despite legislative challenges impacting its gaming operations.
Conclusion
Bhavit Sheth embodies entrepreneurial resilience and innovation, shaping Dream Sports into a pivotal player in the sports tech domain. His leadership not only broadened his company's horizons but also influenced India’s approach to sports engagement and gaming. Bhavit's contributions underscore the potential of strategic vision and adaptive management, promising significant future impacts in the digital gaming and sports industries.