LEGAXY, a sports, media and entertainment company, has teamed up with the Indian Institute of Management Lucknow – Enterprise Incubation Centre (EIC) and cricket star Bhuvneshwar Kumar to launch a dedicated accelerator for SportsTech, esports and gaming ventures in India. The initiative aims to support early-stage companies shaping the future of sport, gaming, and digital fan engagement sectors rapidly expanding within India’s digital economy.
The accelerator will be based at IIM Lucknow’s EIC, combining academic research, entrepreneurial expertise and industry guidance. LegaXy brings deep experience in athlete management, sports marketing and content creation, while IIML-EIC offers incubation support, founder development, and strong investor networks, a media release said.
The programme will back startups building solutions that enhance athletic performance, elevate fan experiences, and strengthen India’s competitive gaming and esports landscape. Selected founders will receive structured mentorship across funding, product-market strategy and domain insight, along with access to IIML-EIC advisors and partnerships with leading sports stakeholders. The initiative will also operate as a living lab for innovation at the intersection of sport, media and technology.
A cohort of ten startups will form the first batch, with applications opening in the first quarter of 2026 after a nationwide call and joint evaluation by LegaXy and IIML-EIC.
Kumar said, “The game is changing, both on and off the field. Initiatives like this accelerator will fuel innovation, helping startups transform sports, gaming, and fan experiences while positioning India as a global leader in sportainment.”
IIML-EIC managing director & CEO Yamini Bhushan Pandey commented, “Our collaboration with LegaXy marks a significant step towards strengthening India’s SportsTech and innovation ecosystem. Through this Sportstech Acceleration Program, we aim to empower startups that are redefining the intersection of sports, technology, and new-age media, enabling them to scale globally with the right mentorship, market access, and investor support. At IIML-EIC, we remain committed to nurturing future-ready ventures that drive sustainable impact and contribute to India’s growing innovation narrative.”
LegaXy founder and CEO Amitesh Shah added, “This partnership between IIM Lucknow EIC, LegaXy, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar represents a powerful fusion of academia, entrepreneurship, and sporting excellence. Together, we’re building an ecosystem that will accelerate innovation and help shape the future of SportsTech, eSports & Gaming in India.”
