Jai Mahtani and Sudeep Ramnani: the entrepreneurs expanding across FinTech and football

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A special platform demands a special ambassador, and who better to fill that role than ‘The Special One’ himself – José Mourinho. Mourinho’s inclusion signifies the platform’s commitment to excellence, as he brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and, of course, charisma to the table. His involvement not only boosts Football.com’s credibility but also helps foster a sense of community among fans.

Jai Ashok Mahtani and Sudeep Ramesh Ramnani have built successful careers as founders and investors by making smart decisions at the right time.

Starting as entrepreneurs in their early 20s having graduated from university in the midst of the global financial crisis, each of them independently founded successful manufacturing and distribution businesses in the food & beverage, healthcare and plastics sectors with a focus on West Africa.

Their business success soared to new heights when they established what turned into a lucrative and enduring partnership. Their comprehensive understanding of diverse markets and their ability to identify emerging trends ahead of time gave them a competitive edge in identifying profitable opportunities. Working together, they co-founded and invested in a range of tech-driven businesses, catering to both B2C and B2B segments. These enterprises encompassed various sectors including fintech, gaming, media, and enterprise software, all with a distinct emphasis on emerging markets.

The duo gradually adapted their approach to prioritize expanding online and mobile commerce in a scalable manner, embodying the rapid growth mindset of Silicon Valley known as “blitzscaling.” After extending their influence on various regions and continents, they currently oversee a dynamic and varied array of businesses, which they’ve nurtured and cultivated over the years.

Turning their attention to their longstanding love for football, their unwavering passion for the beautiful game is propelling them to new heights, as they revolutionise the global sports’ digital landscape through their company Sporty Group and their latest project Football.com. The pair of visionary entrepreneurs are redefining the football experience for fans worldwide.

Jai and Sudeep have harnessed their entrepreneurial acumen to invest in and develop businesses that merge their passion for the sport with cutting-edge technology. Sporty Group, their brainchild, has rapidly become a prominent global sports media and entertainment company, captivating millions of viewers around the world through their TV channels and mobile apps. 

Sporty Group’s strategic partnerships with the largest of football giants, Real Madrid and Manchester City, speak volumes about Jai and Sudeep’s expertise and reputation within the industry as well as their ambition for success. The pair share Real Madrid’s core belief that everything they achieve is the result of sacrifice and hard work, and humility enables them to avoid becoming complacent, as well as Manchester City’s ethos of bringing positive change to communities across the world through football. 

In 2022, Sporty Group extended their partnership with Real Madrid. When I spoke to Jai as to what continues to drive their partnership forward, he told me:

“Real Madrid’s commitment to excellence is aspirational to our organisation and we aim to bring their brand of entertainment to fans around the world. The continuation of Sporty Group’s strategic partnership with Real Madrid will enable the creation of unique and exciting entertainment, experiences, and promotions for football fans worldwide.”

The Real Madrid and Manchester City partnerships demonstrate the pairs profound commitment to enhancing the football experience and connecting fans with their favourite clubs on a global scale. Real Madrid’s maestro Eder Militao’s appointment as the global brand ambassador only further showcases Jai and Sudeep’s ability to foster relationships with top talent, amplifying the impact of their initiatives.

Building on their successes, Jai and Sudeep set their sights on their latest project Football.com, a ground-breaking football platform designed to revolutionize the way fans engage with the sport. The platform, an integrated media, social, gaming, and e-commerce experience, aims to become the ultimate destination for football enthusiasts worldwide.

Savvy to an everchanging market, as well as understanding the power of good branding, Jai and Sudeep went big, bold, and yet simple with the naming of Football.com. The name reinforces its status as an industry-defining platform and the powerful branding Jai and Sudeep coupled it with has set the stage for Football.com to become the go-to digital hub for football-related content and services.

With its one-of-a-kind memorable and category-defining domain name, access to industry-leading technology and a founding team with a wealth of experience in building internet businesses, Football.com already has a growing user base and has limitless potential.

A special platform demands a special ambassador, and who better to fill that role than ‘The Special One’ himself – José Mourinho. Mourinho’s inclusion signifies the platform’s commitment to excellence, as he brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and, of course, charisma to the table. His involvement not only boosts Football.com’s credibility but also helps foster a sense of community among fans.

Sudeep believes Football.com’s rapid growth trajectory is “fuelled by its solid foundation and unmatched user experience.” I believe, with Jai and Sudeep at the helm, its visionary leadership is also playing a significant role in its success. The global football platform has the potential to disrupt the industry and transform the way fans engage with the sport. Furthermore, by combining media, social interaction, gaming, and e-commerce, Football.com is poised to become a comprehensive and indispensable tool for football enthusiasts worldwide.

Jai Mahtani and Sudeep Ramnani’s entrepreneurial journey in the world of football has been fascinating. Their ability to merge their love for the sport with business acumen resulted in the creation of Sporty Group and the ground-breaking Football.com. As their future unfolds, I look forward to seeing the sizable impact Football.com has on football fans worldwide, as well as how any further projects they reveal help revolutionise the sport’s digital frontier.