New Delhi, September 01, 2025: Bertelsmann India Investments (BII) hosted its seventh annual Bertelsmann Badminton Championship at the DDA – SBS, New Delhi — its first time in the capital city. The event witnessed participation from 80+ venture capitalists across 40+ firms including Accel, Infoedge, Innoven, Trifecta, Chiratae Ventures, Indigoedge, and more. Notable founders such as Pranit Arora (Univest), Dhruv Gupta and Tarun Bhambra (Orange Health Labs), and Priyadarshi Mohapatra (CureBay) also joined.
The tournament offered more than competition: it became a “zero-pitch” networking platform, encouraging camaraderie and community in India’s fast-paced startup ecosystem.
“Rally for Health” – A Theme Beyond the Court
This year’s theme, Rally for Health, emphasized the well-being of founders and investors in an industry often plagued by stress, burnout, and health issues. The initiative urged leaders to prioritize fitness, balance, and recovery alongside business growth.
“What began as a small gathering is now a tradition that puts health alongside strategy and growth,”
said Pankaj Makkar, Managing Director, BII.
Voices from the Ecosystem
-
Rohit Sood, Partner, BII: “The championship has become a trusted, low-friction platform for India’s startup ecosystem. This year’s special focus on health reminds us that enduring people build enduring businesses.”
-
Cdr Ramesh Kumar Sir, Secretary, DDA – SBS: “We hope participants take today as a cue to add regular movement into their daily lives.”
-
Amit Jhunjhunwala, CFO, Accel: “The Rally for Health mantra resonates deeply with me. With this much stress, events like these are essential.”
Highlights from the Championship
The Message Board became a focal point, where founders and investors penned their personal health mantras — simple yet impactful practices that keep them grounded.
-
Tournament Winners: Jai Arora & Rajat Sharma (Univest)
-
Runners-Up: Shashvat Rai (Aavishkar Capital) & Peeyush Asati (Vecmocon Technologies)
-
Knockout Winners: Dr Pinak Shrikhande & Nilay Shah (HealthKois)
-
Knockout Runners-Up: Tejas Bode (BII) & Manoj Satti (Penguin Random House)
Founders on the Importance of Well-Being
-
Akshay Gulati, CEO, Shiprocket: “Building a company is a marathon, not a sprint. The conversations off-court — about sleep, recovery, and balance — are as valuable as the rallies on court.”
-
Priyadarshi Mohapatra, CEO, CureBay: “We’re delighted to be part of this year’s championship. It’s heartening to see investors place well-being at the centre.”
-
Dhruv Gupta & Tarun Bhambra, Founders, Orange Health Labs: “Health is at the core of what we do. To see so many leaders rally for health reinforces our mission of holistic wellness.”
About Bertelsmann India Investments (BII)
Founded in 2012, BII is a sector-agnostic venture capital fund backing India’s transformative startups. With $500M committed over the next five years, it invests across Series A–C stages, providing long-term capital and operational support.
BII’s portfolio includes Shiprocket, Eruditus, Licious, Nat Habit, LetsTransport, Orange Health Labs, and three companies recently featured in Forbes Asia’s 100 To Watch 2025.
As the India arm of Bertelsmann Investments (BI), one of the world’s largest VC ecosystems with $2B invested globally, BII has emerged as a leading corporate VC fund, recognized as Best Fund by IVCA in 2022.