Brands
Nine prominent brands to elevate Solskjaer’s India Tour into premium event
Mumbai: In a bid to elevate the prominence of football legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s inaugural India tour which is hosted by Tilak Gaurang Shah, a dedicated Manchester United fan and the founder of Ace of Pubs, nine leading brands have joined hands to transform this unprecedented event into an exclusive and experiential spectacle.
Sharing his thoughts on partnering with numerous brands to amplify the prominence of the event, Ace of Pubs founder Tilak Gaurang Shah commented, “With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s historic visit on the horizon, we wanted to further increase its significance by partnering with distinguished brands and creating a high-quality experiential event. The collaboration with these brands signifies our commitment to delivering a truly immersive experience. Together with our esteemed partners, we aim to make this a historic event that fans will cherish for a lifetime.”
Taking place at ITC Gardenia, Bengaluru on 9 February, ITC Grand Central, Mumbai on 10 February and ITC Maurya, New Delhi on 11 February, the exciting three-city tour is set to seamlessly connect fans with the Norwegian football icon in a premium experiential manner, with the presence of prominent brands propelling the event’s stature.
“We are thrilled to associate with ITC Hotels which is the world’s largest chain with maximum LEED zero carbon certified hotels. Also, Club ITC which is the signature Loyalty program for ITC Hotels offers a wide range of exclusive member benefits and memorable money can’t buy experiences, so this will be a great opportunity for their members to interact with football legend Ole Gunnar Solskjær. Inspired by an endeavor to blend Responsible Luxury with the thrilling world of sports, this partnership will be the first of many engaging interactions, creating memorable moments for their members.” stated Tilak.
American Express, a globally integrated payments company, has been roped in as the official lifestyle partner to contribute its expertise and enhance the overall experience for the attendees.
American Express Banking Corp India CEO and country manager Sanjay Khanna said “We understand our Card Members well and look to create special experiences in areas they love across dining, sports, retail and entertainment. We are excited to be part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s maiden tour to India by collaborating with Ace of Pubs to give a memorable experience to football fans in India. We know when our Card Members attend one of these events, they tend to be more engaged with our brand.”
The event will be curated by Zomato Live, with tickets exclusively available on the Zomato app which will provide a convenient and hassle-free way for fans to secure their spot at this historic event.
Zomato Live CEO Zeenah Vilcassim said, “We are thrilled to bring the Manchester United Legend, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tour to India. This landmark event is poised to captivate football enthusiasts nationwide, as we are looking forward to bringing this experience to our audiences and to his strong Indian fanbase. This continues our dedication to delivering exceptional experiences and fostering vibrant communities across India.”
Radio City came on board as the official Radio partner to build the excitement and buzz around the event in all three event cities. Truefitt & Hill, the world’s oldest barbershop, has been signed as the official grooming partner.
Simba, the official roaring partner, will add an element of excitement to the event, whereas Outcry Entertainment, a new-generation integrated experiential and marketing agency, has been signed as the official production partner, promising a visually stunning and entertaining experience for fans.
12th Man Brewing, who has come on board as the official gameday partners in Mumbai, will contribute to creating a unique atmosphere in the city surrounding the event. Corporate engagements for the tour will be orchestrated by Ace of Trades, ensuring that corporate partners have an unforgettable experience with the legendary Solskjaer.
According to a survey, out of about 160 million football fans in India, 35 million are Manchester United fans.
Fans can book their tickets with the links below:
Bengaluru: https://zoma.to/live-event/27858
Mumbai: https://zoma.to/live-event/27850
New Delhi: https://zoma.to/live-event/27826
Brands
Aman Gupta’s OFF/BEAT secures Rs 100 crore seed funding round
Bessemer backs new venture betting on AI and India’s digital shift
MUMBAI: Aman Gupta has raised Rs 100 crore in seed funding for his new venture OFF/BEAT, with Bessemer Venture Partners leading the round as it bets on a new wave of AI-led, consumer-first businesses in India.
The funding marks an early but significant push for OFF/BEAT, which is positioned to tap into a rapidly evolving market shaped by a digitally native generation and advances in artificial intelligence. The venture aims to build at the intersection of culture and technology, where brand identity and innovation increasingly go hand in hand.
Gupta, best known for co-founding boAt and scaling it into a Rs 3,000 crore-plus business, is now looking to apply those learnings to a new playbook. His focus this time is not just on building a consumer brand, but on leveraging AI and global networks to accelerate growth.
OFF/BEAT founder Aman Gupta said, “Having built from scratch before, I know what capital can do and what it cannot. This time, I was looking for partners with a global perspective who can help me leverage technology and AI, because that is where the future lies. Bessemer’s track record with companies like Anthropic, Shopify, Canva and LinkedIn says it all.”
The choice of investor reflects that ambition. Bessemer Venture Partners has backed global technology players such as Anthropic, Shopify, Canva and LinkedIn, bringing not just capital but strategic support and global reach.
Bessemer Venture Partners partner Anant Vidur Puri said, “We back founders who see around corners. Aman saw how a new India would come to think about aspiration, identity and quality, and built boAt as proof. He is now applying that same instinct to a market being reshaped by AI and by a generation with entirely new expectations.”
The investment comes at a time when India’s startup ecosystem is being reshaped by both consumer behaviour and technological disruption. Founders are increasingly expected to understand not just products, but the cultural shifts that drive adoption.
For OFF/BEAT, the journey is just beginning, but the signal is clear. In a market where attention is fleeting and expectations are rising, building something truly distinctive may be the only way to stay on beat.
