[Exclusive] Endiya Partners Launches 'Game On!' Sports Initiative to Boost Startup Wellbeing

[Exclusive] Endiya Partners Launches 'Game On!' Sports Initiative to Boost Startup Wellbeing

In a pioneering move that blends wellness with entrepreneurship, early-stage venture capital firm Endiya Partners has launched Game On!, a sports-led wellbeing initiative tailored for India's startup community. Partnering with the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy, this movement aims to foster resilience, leadership, and mental fitness through competitive sports. The debut edition will kick off in Bengaluru on June 6–7, featuring badminton, table tennis, and box cricket.

Where Sports Meets Startups

Qualities like reflection, perseverance, and teamwork are as vital on the field as they are in a startup boardroom. Be it launching a product or facing tough market conditions, founders and athletes alike must learn to adapt, remain focused, and bounce back from failure. This synergy explains why many sports legends—Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, Tony Hawk, Maria Sharapova, and closer to home, Anil Kumble, Virat Kohli, and Yuvraj Singh—transition successfully into entrepreneurship.

“Sports teaches you to thrive under pressure, stay disciplined, and adapt quickly—skills every entrepreneur needs,” says Pullela Gopichand, former All England Champion and Chief National Coach of India’s badminton team. He also serves on Endiya Partners' trustee board. “Whether it’s a match or a product launch, mindset matters most—showing up, staying focused, and putting in your best every day.”

A Tournament with Purpose

Game On! isn’t just about sports—it’s about creating a sustainable culture of wellness within India's high-stakes startup ecosystem. Sateesh Andra, Managing Director of Endiya Partners and a former table tennis player, explains: “We chose sports that are inclusive and high-energy. They reflect startup life—fast decisions, coordination, and constant learning. You can’t win alone.”

The tournament series will be held twice annually in Mumbai and Delhi, with potential expansion to Hyderabad and Chennai. A nominal participation fee will be charged to startups.

Health, Hustle, and Heart

In recent years, the startup world has seen mounting concerns about founder wellbeing. The sudden and tragic passing of several entrepreneurs—Amit Banerji (Table Space), Rohan Mirchandani (Epigamia), Rohan Malhotra (Good Capital), and Ambareesh Murty (Pepperfry)—has highlighted the high cost of chronic stress and unhealthy work habits.

According to a 2024 YourDOST study, nearly 31% of Indian entrepreneurs report feeling imposter syndrome, often stemming from intense performance pressure. Andra says, “We can’t always know if it’s stress, genes, or lifestyle—but stepping away from the desk for some play is a good start.”

Endiya, known for backing ventures like Cult.fit, Darwinbox, ekincare, and Sugar.fit, believes wellbeing is as critical as capital. “Healthy founders build resilient companies,” Andra notes. “We see wellness not as an expense, but as a long-term investment.”

More Than a Game

Studies—including one from Saybrook University—confirm that sports participation significantly lowers anxiety and depression. “Like athletes, founders prepare for moments that last seconds—an investor pitch, a product launch. The training never stops,” Andra shares. “Game On! is training for the head and the heart.”

He believes the tournament will allow participants to display leadership qualities that aren’t visible in formal settings. “You see how someone handles setbacks, supports teammates, and communicates under pressure—traits you rarely spot in a boardroom,” he says.

A Culture Shift

The initiative complements other wellness efforts in the startup community, such as the Heartfulness Startup Forum and Retreat 2025, held at Kanha Shanti Vanam in Hyderabad. It brought together entrepreneurs to focus on emotional resilience, meditation, and heart-led leadership.

Gopichand, who meditates regularly to maintain mental clarity, adds: “Recovery is part of performance. In sport and in startups, you need to pause, reflect, and reconnect with your purpose.”

He concludes, “Initiatives like Game On! offer a space to connect beyond roles and goals. These small moments help us return with clarity, purpose, and balance. That’s how long-term success is built.”