Australian entrepreneur Mark Sellar explains why India is central to his global strategy with Drive Fitt. Discover his vision for building a cricket & fitness franchise with India, not just for it.
When Australian entrepreneur and investor Mark Sellar first began looking at India, he didn’t see it as just another expansion market — he saw a movement shaping the future.
“India isn’t an add-on to our global strategy; it is the strategy,” says Sellar, Co-Founder of Drive Fitt. With business interests in more than 50 countries, Sellar’s conviction about India’s potential is grounded not in optimism alone but in deep, lived experience.
“Everything is lining up for India — its young population, its booming digital economy, its obsession with sport, and its growing interest in wellness and lifestyle,” he says. “India isn’t simply progressing — it’s transforming.”
As the Executive Chairman of Drive Fitt, India’s first fully integrated cricket and fitness club franchise, Sellar is turning vision into execution. His concept connects two of India’s strongest passions — cricket and fitness — bringing them together under one membership that includes elite indoor cricket facilities, modern gyms, recovery areas, and social zones.
India’s love for cricket and its growing wellness culture make the timing ideal. For Sellar, it’s not a gamble — it’s a data-driven decision.
“You have a huge population of young, ambitious Indians eager for better experiences and healthier living,” he says. “Add to that a national passion for cricket, and the question isn’t if it will work — it’s how fast you can scale.”
The company’s 26,000-square-foot flagship facility in Gurgaon opens this September, with a bold vision to establish 300 franchise locations across India, the UAE, and the United States in five years. Drive Fitt is growing as fast as the country it calls home.
Sellar’s belief in India extends well beyond Drive Fitt. As Founder and CEO of Sellar Capital, which invests in property, sports, and medical technology, he champions a philosophy of global collaboration. His advice to Western founders is simple — India must be central to any serious business roadmap.
“Too many Western companies still view India through an outdated lens — as a source of cheap labor or back-office support,” he says. “That mindset completely misses the point. India today is a major consumer economy, a tech innovator, and an entrepreneurial powerhouse. If you’re not engaged, you’re already late.”
Sellar’s ventures embody this worldview. Beyond India, he also leads Red Giant, a company that helps Australian brands tap into China’s retail and e-commerce landscape. The link between his ventures is clear: he’s not just building companies — he’s building bridges.
“Whether in China or India, I’m focused on creating balanced, reciprocal partnerships. Western businesses stand to benefit enormously, but only when they enter with humility and a collaborative spirit.”
One of the most valuable lessons Sellar learned early was that ideas alone aren’t enough — local execution is everything.
“As a founder coming into India, we had to set aside assumptions and really listen,” he recalls. “India is layered and complex, and true understanding comes only from working alongside people who know it best.”
That’s why one of Sellar’s earliest and smartest moves was hiring Vikram Bhatia, former CEO of Fitness First India, to lead Drive Fitt as CEO. Bhatia’s leadership has been key in steering the brand through India’s dynamic fitness and sports sectors.
“The talent here is world-class,” says Sellar. “There’s a creativity and determination in Indian professionals that’s unmatched. I don’t build for India — I build with India.”
Sellar knows the Indian market comes with its share of challenges — from complex regulations to earning consumer trust. But he insists the payoff far outweighs the difficulties.
“Nothing truly worthwhile ever comes easy. India requires patience, partnership, and resilience, but in return, you get scale, loyalty, and long-term growth,” he says.
For him, now is the time for Western entrepreneurs to look beyond stagnant markets and toward high-growth regions like India.
“In India, you don’t just build a business — you build legacy. You become part of something much larger — a nation’s upward story. That’s incredibly rewarding.”
Interestingly, Sellar isn’t only focused on expanding Western ideas into India — he’s also a vocal admirer of India’s own innovation ecosystem. He regularly praises Indian startups for their agility, creativity, and resourcefulness.
“Some of the most impressive entrepreneurs I’ve ever met are from India,” he says. “They have this incredible ability to innovate within constraints — to turn limited resources into scalable solutions. That’s a true advantage.”
He believes Western founders have a lot to learn from this mindset, especially in how to stay efficient and resilient in uncertain economic conditions.
“If you want to understand grit, adaptability, and efficient scaling, immerse yourself in India’s startup culture. It’s a masterclass in creative problem-solving.”
What makes Drive Fitt stand out isn’t just the idea itself but how it’s been executed. Sellar and his team haven’t imported a Western model — they’ve built something authentically Indian from the ground up.
From the brand’s cricket-first identity to its accessible pricing and community-driven design, every detail aligns with Indian values and behavior. It’s little wonder that franchise interest has already surged across major cities.
“We’re not here to copy what worked elsewhere,” Sellar says. “We’re here to co-create something that belongs to India.”
For Mark Sellar, betting on India isn’t simply a commercial strategy — it’s a statement of belief. He envisions a global future where ideas move freely, collaboration replaces competition, and business becomes a bridge between cultures.
“I believe in India — not just as a market, but as a movement,” he says. “And I want to play a part, however small, in helping that movement grow.”
For him, it’s about more than numbers or market share — it’s about shaping the next generation of cross-border entrepreneurship, with India at the heart of it.
Mark Sellar continues to connect continents, industries, and innovators through his ventures. Whether you’re a global founder exploring India or a local entrepreneur aiming for global reach, his journey offers both guidance and opportunity.
🌐 Website: www.drivefitthq.com
💼 LinkedIn: Mark Sellar
📸 Instagram: @mark_sellar
For franchise opportunities, collaborations, or partnerships, visit Drive Fitt’s official site or reach out directly via LinkedIn.
India’s story is still being written — and visionaries like Mark Sellar are helping to shape its next powerful chapter.
Hi, I’m Dillan Hand, Your Blogging Journey Guide 🖋️. Writing, one blog post at a time, to inspire, inform, and ignite your curiosity. Join me as we explore the world through words and embark on a limitless adventure of knowledge and creativity. Let’s bring your thoughts to life on these digital pages. 🌟 #BloggingAdventures
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
