Australian cricketer Glenn Maxwell makes his India startup debut with Drive FITT—a 24/7 fitness club built around cricket—and expands his global sports brand with Twenty20 Vision.
From Cricket Star to Startup Backer: Maxwell Joins India’s Sports-Tech Scene
After a decade of thrilling fans with his explosive all-round game, Glenn Maxwell is now stepping into the Indian startup ecosystem—bringing his deep sporting insight to the business side of the field.
In 2025, Maxwell made his first direct investment in India by backing Drive FITT, a unique membership-based fitness club that merges cricket, gym training, and sports recovery in a single immersive experience.
Drive FITT: Where Cricket Meets Comprehensive Fitness
Drive FITT is not your conventional gym—it’s a cricket-inspired, 24/7 sports club designed for both amateurs and elite athletes. The brand blends:
- Cricket-specific training modules
- Strength and conditioning workouts
- Yoga and flexibility sessions
- Elite recovery services (like physiotherapy and ice baths)
Founded in July 2024 by Preity Zinta, Shubman Gill, and Australian entrepreneurs Mark Sellar and Deke Smith, the startup is reimagining how sports and fitness come together for Indian consumers.
Training programmes have been designed by pros including Shubman Gill, Chris Lynn, and Ryan Harris, making it a player-led ecosystem tailored to India’s cricket-obsessed audience.
Maxwell’s involvement adds credibility and international star power, especially given his IPL popularity and deep ties with Indian fans.
Going Beyond India: The Vision Behind Twenty20 Vision
In addition to Drive FITT, Maxwell also co-owns Twenty20 Vision, a sports eyewear brand specialising in performance sunglasses designed for cricket and outdoor sports.
The brand caters to athletes needing high-clarity, impact-resistant, lightweight eyewear during intense play—especially in sun-heavy conditions like India and Australia.
This venture taps into a niche but growing category in the sports accessories space, reinforcing Maxwell’s brand beyond the pitch and into athlete-centric product innovation.
Strategic, Passion-Led Investments
Maxwell’s foray into startups reflects a passion-led approach:
- He’s backing sports ventures he understands deeply.
- His investments are product-first and athlete-tested.
- He brings not just capital, but also on-field insight and user empathy.
With Drive FITT, he joins a wave of global athletes turning to India’s booming fitness and wellness market, which is expected to cross $24 Bn by 2030.
A New Kind of Athlete-Entrepreneur
Like Ben Stokes and Badshah, Maxwell represents a new generation of celebrity investors:
- They’re backing startups that reflect their personal passions.
- They leverage fan trust and lifestyle alignment to add more than just money.
- And they are helping build brands that go beyond endorsement to true co-creation.
For Maxwell, the move into India’s startup scene feels like a natural extension of a career that has already transcended borders.
