Mark Sellar Is Bullish on India: Why This Australian Entrepreneur Is Betting Big on the Subcontinent’s Future
An Outsider with an Insider’s Perspective
When Mark Sellar first began exploring opportunities in India, he didn’t see the market as just another growth target, he saw a future.
“India is not just part of our strategy; it is the strategy,” says the Australian entrepreneur, investor, and Co-Founder of Drive Fitt. With a business footprint that spans over 50 countries, Sellar’s bullish stance on India is neither casual nor speculative. It’s informed by experience, shaped by strategic investments, and grounded in a deep appreciation for the country’s unique business and consumer landscape.
“Everything is pointing toward India right now; its youth, digital economy, love for sport, and growing appetite for wellness and lifestyle experiences,” he explains. “It’s not just rising. It’s transforming.”
The India Thesis: Scale, Energy, and Timing
As the Executive Chairman of Drive Fitt India’s first integrated cricket and fitness club franchise, Sellar is putting action behind belief. His venture is a timely response to two booming sectors: fitness and cricket. The model is simple but powerful: combine elite-level indoor cricket facilities with state-of-the-art gyms, recovery zones, group classes, and community spaces; all under one membership.
India’s intense passion for cricket and the emerging demand for wellness make it fertile ground for such an offering. And for Sellar, this isn’t a speculative move—it’s a calculated bet on India’s macroeconomic trends.
“You have this incredible demographic curve; hundreds of millions of young, aspirational people who want better experiences and healthier lives. Couple that with the cultural obsession with cricket, and the question isn’t if this works. It’s how fast you can scale it.”
With a 26,000-square-foot flagship site opens in September in Gurgaon and a vision to launch 300 franchise locations across India, the UAE, and the US within five years, Drive Fitt is designed to move at the speed of India’s ambition.
Encouraging Western Businesses to Look East
Mark Sellar’s commitment to India extends far beyond Drive Fitt. As the Founder and CEO of Sellar Capital, his investment firm has backed ventures in property, sports, and medical technology often with a global cross-border lens. His message to fellow Western entrepreneurs is simple: the future is increasingly collaborative, and India should be central to any global strategy.
“Too many Western businesses look at India through an outdated lens thinking only in terms of labor arbitrage or backend support. That mindset misses the point,” he says. “India today is a consumer market, an innovation hub, and a launchpad. If you’re not paying attention, you’re already behind.”
Sellar’s track record reflects this conviction. In addition to Drive Fitt, he leads Red Giant, a business helping Australian brands break into the Chinese retail and e-commerce market. The connective thread is clear, Sellar isn’t just building businesses; he’s building bridges.
“Whether it’s China or India, I believe in creating reciprocal business ecosystems. Western companies have a lot to gain from these markets but only if they come in with respect, collaboration, and a willingness to learn.”
Respecting Local Talent and Building With, Not For
One of the key lessons Sellar learned early in his Indian journey was that great ideas mean little without great local execution.
“As an Australian founder entering India, we had to unlearn a few things and really listen,” he reflects. “There’s a nuance here, one that you only grasp when you work alongside people who understand the industry deeply.”
That’s why one of the first major hires at Drive Fitt was Vikram Bhatia, the former CEO of Fitness First India, now leading the charge as CEO of Drive Fitt. The strength of the team has been pivotal in navigating India’s complex yet promising landscape.
“The talent in India is world-class. There’s a hustle, a creativity, a depth of knowledge that Western founders need to appreciate more. I don’t ‘build for’ India, I build with India.”
A Call to Global Entrepreneurs: Look to India
Sellar is clear-eyed about the challenges of doing business in India, he’s faced them firsthand. From navigating regulatory frameworks to building brand trust and cultural resonance, the path has been anything but linear. But he insists that the rewards are worth the resilience.
“There’s a saying that nothing easy is ever worth it. That’s true of India. It demands patience, partnership, and adaptability but what you get in return is scale, loyalty, and impact.”
In his view, now is the moment for Western entrepreneurs to shift their gaze from saturated, slow-moving markets toward high-growth economies like India. The opportunity isn’t just commercial, it’s transformational.
“You don’t just build a business here. You build legacy. You build a community. You get to be part of a country’s growth story. That’s incredibly powerful.”
Advocating for Indian Entrepreneurship
Interestingly, Sellar isn’t just here to expand Western models into India he’s also vocal in his admiration for India’s homegrown innovation. From fintech to healthtech, India’s startup ecosystem is making global waves.
“Some of the most creative, scalable, and ambitious founders I’ve met are in India,” he notes. “What I admire most is the ability to innovate despite constraint, Indian entrepreneurs know how to do more with less, which is a superpower in business.”
He believes Western companies have much to learn from this mindset, particularly in navigating uncertain economies and building sustainable business models.
“If you want to learn efficiency, grit, and adaptability then spend a year in the Indian startup scene. You’ll come out sharper.”
Drive Fitt as a Case Study in India-First Thinking
What makes Drive Fitt unique isn’t just its business model, it’s the clarity of its mission. Sellar and his team are not trying to impose a Western concept on an Indian audience. They’ve built something for India, inspired by India.
Every element, from the pricing to the layout to the cricket-first identity, has been designed to align with Indian values and behaviors. It’s no wonder that the brand is already drawing attention from potential franchisees across India’s major cities.
“We’re not here to replicate, we’re here to co-create,” says Sellar. “And we’re just getting started.”
Looking Ahead: A Legacy of Connection
For Mark Sellar, betting on India is not just a commercial decision, it’s a personal philosophy. He sees a world where cross-border entrepreneurship becomes the norm, where ideas move as freely as capital, and where founders build with empathy, insight, and ambition.
“I believe in India. Not just as a market, but as a movement,” he says. “And I want to play a small part in helping that movement grow.”
It’s a vision that goes beyond quarterly reports or expansion milestones. It’s about shaping the future of global entrepreneurship with India at the center.
Follow Mark’s Journey and Join the Movement
Mark Sellar is actively building bridges between continents, industries, and people. Whether you’re a global entrepreneur eyeing India or a local founder looking for inspiration, there’s something to learn from his story and something to build alongside him.
Stay connected:
- 🌐 Website: drivefitthq.com
- 💼 LinkedIn: Mark Sellar
- 📸 Instagram: @mark_sellar
For partnerships, franchising, or collaborations, visit Drive Fitt’s site or reach out directly via LinkedIn.
India is rising and people like Mark Sellar are helping shape what comes next.
