Hey there, sports fans and business enthusiasts! It’s a sunny day, and we’ve got a fascinating tale to share about our very own Captain Cool, Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The former Team India captain, renowned for his incredible leadership on the cricket field, has also made some serious moves in the world of business. So, what’s the story? Let’s dive in.
MS Dhoni: The Legend Off the Pitch
As Team India is currently making waves at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, many of us can’t help but reminisce about the good old days when MS Dhoni was leading the charge. Sadly, he’s not in the playing eleven anymore, but hey, we’ve got something just as exciting to talk about. Did you know that Mahi, as we fondly call him, has ventured into the world of business? With a net worth of a whopping Rs 1040 crore, he’s got more than just cricket to occupy his time.
Meet the Millionaire Business Partner
Now, here’s where things get really interesting. MS Dhoni isn’t walking this entrepreneurial path alone; he’s got a millionaire partner by his side. Say hello to Vikram Chopra, the co-founder and CEO of CARS24, a name you’re about to hear a lot more of. In 2019, Dhoni jumped into the business game by investing in CARS24 during its series D round of funding.
The Dhoni-CARS24 Connection
Dhoni’s investment wasn’t just a casual one; it came with some perks. Thanks to this partnership, MS Dhoni became not only an equity holder in CARS24 but also its brand ambassador. His words on the association were pretty straightforward: “I am thrilled to be part of the CARS24 journey. Besides being a fan of all things to do with cars, I am also a fan of new-age companies that are disruptive, innovative, and shaping the future. They have big ambitions, and I am excited to work with them and help them achieve their goals.”
A Peek into CARS24
Now, let’s shift our focus to CARS24. This used car company, founded in 2015 by Vikram Chopra and his team, has made some impressive strides in the market. Their services have extended to include CARS24 Moto, a bike reselling service, and Cars24 Financial Services, a registered Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) under the Reserve Bank of India.
The Big Numbers
Talking numbers, CARS24 is no small fish in the pond. As of 2021, this AutoTech powerhouse had a mind-boggling valuation of approximately Rs 27,000 crore or $3.3 billion, according to the Times of India. In 2022, they took their revenue up a notch, doubling it to a whopping Rs 6008 crore compared to Rs 2776 crore in 2021, as reported by Business Standard.
Vikram Chopra: The Brain Behind CARS24
Of course, none of this would be possible without Vikram Chopra’s vision and leadership. His individual net worth is estimated at around $5 million or approximately Rs 41.62 crore, according to DNA India. Before diving into the world of used cars, Chopra had founded FabFurnish, an online furniture and home decor retailer. His professional journey also included roles as an Investment Analyst at Sequoia Capital and a Business Analyst at McKinsey & Company.
The Academic Side
Now, let’s talk about the man behind the business. Vikram Chopra is no slouch in the education department. He holds dual degrees in Engineering – a BTech & MTech – from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay. And if that’s not impressive enough, he also earned an MBA in Finance from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
IPL Connection MS Dhoni
As if all this wasn’t exciting enough, CARS24 also has an IPL connection that’s worth mentioning. They proudly donned the primary and front-of-shirt sponsor role for Sunrisers Hyderabad during the 2022 IPL season. Notably, Sunrisers Hyderabad is led by none other than MS Dhoni’s team rival, and the 2023 IPL champions, Chennai Super Kings.
Vikram Chopra’s Vision for the Decade
In a 2022 interview with Money Control, Vikram Chopra laid out his grand plans for the future. He said, “We will do 10 experiments. Some will work, some may not. Over a period of 10 years, I want to build an ecosystem of cars, both at the front end and the back end, be it used car transactions, financing, insurance, car servicing, or subscriptions. I am thinking about how to build the backend supply chain of the servicing business, how we can scale logistics and probably also service other auto companies. Some of it we have already done, some of these we are trying out at a small scale. A few will continue and may become big.”
In Conclusion
So, there you have it, folks! MS Dhoni, our beloved cricket legend, is not only making history on the field but also making some big moves in the business world alongside his millionaire business partner, Vikram Chopra. The future seems bright for CARS24, and we can’t wait to see what this dynamic duo has in store for us.
As Vikram Chopra rightly puts it, “It’s my job to think from a long-term perspective. I don’t work on the day-to-day execution of things in the business. When I look at the automobile ecosystem, everything is broken and everything presents an opportunity to solve a customer problem.” These words from the man behind the wheel of CARS24 show that the road ahead is full of exciting possibilities. Stay tuned for more, and let’s see where this amazing journey takes us!
