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Silicon Valley entrepreneur invests in Indian volleyball team
Chekuri, a former player, said the goal now is to build the competitive ecosystem he never had access to.
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Anushka Pathak - Tue, 25, Nov 2025
- 15:08 EST
- 23
Silicon Valley entrepreneur Raju Chekuri / Courtesy: Netenrich
Indian American entrepreneur Raju Chekuri has entered India’s sports landscape with the launch of the Goa Guardians, the 10th franchise in the Prime Volleyball League.
Chekuri, who built his career in cybersecurity and AI after leaving India almost four decades ago, said the decision is rooted in both personal history and an execution-focused approach. “People talk too much about vision,” he said. “But the key is staying in the game, being resilient, and making good decisions every day. That’s true for business and for sport.”
The franchise, co-owned by cricketer KL Rahul, debuted in Oct. 2025 with a focus on scouting and training players from the Konkan belt. Chekuri described volleyball as an athletic, underused outlet for emerging talent.
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“Volleyball is one of the most athletic, non-contact sports. If done well, it’s exhilarating,” he said. “We have some amazing talent. If we treat players as crown jewels, we’ll do well.”
In their maiden season, the Guardians reached the Prime Volleyball League semi-finals. Chekuri called the run encouraging. “I think we are a pretty mature team, a very strong team,” he said. “We made a couple of mistakes early in the game, but the players showed up and played through. Some of our early matches went to five sets, and that showed our resilience.”
The idea took form while Chekuri spent time in Goa, where he had invested in a local media venture, the Department of Lore. He said the state’s character made it a natural launchpad. “Goa has a spirit like no other: energy, culture, festivity. People around the world know Goa. It’s the perfect base for something new-age like volleyball,” he said.
Chekuri’s plans extend well beyond a single team. Through Chekuri Sports Ventures, he aims to build a fund focused on infrastructure, youth training, and sports-media innovation. “It’s more emotional than strategic,” he said. “I’ve been away for 40 years. Now it’s time to come back and invest in India.”
His own path in the sport began on the school courts of old Ahmedabad, later taking him to Kakatiya University and a call-up for India before academics intervened. “There were no leagues then,” he said. “The only dream was to play for the country. No money, just pure love for the sport.”
Chekuri said the goal now is to build the competitive ecosystem he never had access to. “Until 10 or 11, kids should play whatever they like. But from 12 onwards, that’s when you can shape them,” he said.
Looking ahead, he said the priority is long-term cultural strength. “We love volleyball, and we’re invested in the grassroots. Winning a couple of tournaments will be great, but what really matters is building a culture that makes Goa India’s favorite team. We want to give our fans every reason to cheer for us.”
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