Dream 11: Harsh Jain grew up in Mumbai, where he developed a deep passion for cricket, fervently supporting both the Mumbai Indians and Team India. However, he aspired to do more than just watch the sport; he aimed to create something innovative. His interests also included technology and gaming, leading him to dream of merging these elements into a significant venture.
His early days and the making of Dream 11
During his college years, he secured an internship at Microsoft, where he was introduced to the concept of fantasy sports for the first time. This experience sparked a realization in him: “This is my calling!” After completing his education, he returned to India and immediately immersed himself in entrepreneurship. In 2008, he co-founded Dream11 with his friend Bhavit Sheth, with the vision of enhancing people’s connection to sports through fantasy gaming.
The journey of establishing Dream11 was fraught with challenges, as 150 venture capitalists declined to invest, and critics dismissed the venture as mere gambling. Nevertheless, he remained undeterred, even facing legal battles with resilience. Ultimately, Dream11 revolutionized the gaming industry, introducing a new era for fantasy sports in India, encompassing cricket, football, kabaddi, and basketball. Users can create their own teams and earn points and money based on the real-life performance of players.
From just 2 million users in 2016, the platform has grown to over 220 million users today. Harsh Jain’s academic background is impressive; he attended Sevenoaks High School from 2001 to 2003, pursued Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, and Economics at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, and completed his MBA at Columbia Business School in New York in 2012.
Net Worth
His net worth is estimated at approximately Rs 5,500 crore (around $660 million), and with Dream11’s rapid growth, his wealth continues to rise significantly each year.
Marriage
In 2013, Harsh Jain married dentist Rachna Shah, and they have a son named Krish. In 2021, he purchased a duplex apartment valued at Rs 72 crore in one of Mumbai’s most prestigious neighborhoods, located adjacent to Mukesh Ambani’s Antilia.