Sports consulting start-up keen to tap India’s Tier 2 cities

Currently active across three cities – namely Madurai, Gurugram and Lucknow, the company has developed properties such as Madurai 10 km Run, Millennium City Marathon and Lucknow City Half Marathon, among others. Tabono aims to build an economical running company for the masses and making fitness options more accessible to everyone. Speaking on the new development, Abhishek Mishra, Founder of Tabono Sports & Events, said, “Our vision is to extend every individual’s limit and to improve the sport culture in the country. With this funding, we will expand our business development, marketing and technology teams. We are working to have well-connected personnel to operate the projects we have planned pan-India.”

Mishra, who is also an Ultraman finisher from India and a 3-time Ironman Triathlete explains the company’s quest to hit a critical mass, by tapping into smaller towns in India. “We have already seen interest in participation in our projects at Madurai, Gurugram and Lucknow. Community-based running events are gaining major traction in India and require expertise to execute such events professionally. Over the next few years, we want to evolve into a platform where you can get professionally managed running events in Tier 2 and 3 cities,” added Abhishek.

 In terms of fitness events, marathons offer a simple, scalable and economical solution to a large population size. Mitesh Shah, Co-founder, Inflection Point Ventures, chips in, “The fitness market in India is evolving, and within that marathon properties are coming up in a big way. Abhishek’s expertise in this space adds tremendous value to the proposition. The start-up has had a great beginning with the 3 cities. Our association will extend beyond capital investment and we will help take it to all major Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities within the next 5 years.”

 IPV was founded in 2017 by nine CFOs and finance professionals from diverse sectors such as private equity, e-commerce, retail, consumer tech, retail, SaaS and healthcare with experience in the start-up ecosystem.