An International Vision Meets Indian Passion
For most entrepreneurs, building a successful business in their home country is a significant achievement. For Mark Sellar, it was just the beginning. With a portfolio spanning property development, award-winning consumer products, and digital innovation, Mark has taken a distinctly global approach to entrepreneurship—one that has now found its latest chapter in India.
As the Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Drive Fitt, India’s first cricket and fitness integrated club franchise, Mark is blending personal passion with strategic foresight to launch a concept that taps into the very heartbeat of Indian culture: cricket.
“I’ve always loved cricket and played as a junior,” Mark shares. “At the same time, I’ve spent years building in the fitness space. Drive Fitt is about bringing those two worlds together—and making them accessible to everyone, not just the elite.”
A Track Record of Global Entrepreneurship
Before Drive Fitt, Mark was already a well-established name in entrepreneurial circles. He is the Founder and CEO of Sellar Capital, a dynamic family office investment firm that operates across real estate, startups, medical ventures, and sports innovation. Under his leadership, the firm has backed a diverse range of ventures from Australian consumer brands to growth-stage tech companies.
His earlier ventures, like Shader Australia, Fantom Hardware, and Tumbl Bear, are not just inventive, they’re globally recognized. His products have reached over 50 countries, with multiple awards validating his ability to identify untapped opportunities and turn them into scalable businesses.
“It’s about spotting a need, building the solution, and making sure it can thrive across markets,” he says. “That’s the DNA behind every business I’ve built.”
Drive Fitt: Building a Fitness Movement Around Cricket
The idea behind Drive Fitt is as ambitious as it is timely. At its core, the franchise combines cricket training, gym facilities, fitness classes, recovery zones, and a community hub; what Mark and his team call “Drive. Strive. Thrive. Revive.” It’s a holistic approach to wellness that speaks to India’s twin passions: sport and health.
“Fitness and cricket go hand in hand, yet no one was offering them together under one membership,” Mark explains. “We’re changing that with Drive Fitt. Whether you’re an amateur cricket enthusiast or someone who just loves a good workout, you belong here.”
The flagship site, a 26,000-square-foot facility at M3M’s 65th Avenue in Gurgaon is already setting the tone for what future Drive Fitt locations will look like: premium, inclusive, and community-driven.
“We didn’t want to just create another gym,” he says. “We wanted to build a lifestyle hub something that resonates deeply with local culture but delivers a world-class experience.”
Why India? Timing, Culture, and Opportunity
So why is an Australian entrepreneur focusing so intensely on India? The answer lies in the unique intersection of culture, scale, and timing.
“There’s no market like India,” Mark says. “The passion for cricket is unmatched, and the fitness industry is exploding. Combine that with a young, tech-savvy population and increasing middle-class spending power, it’s the perfect storm for innovation.”
Having done business in over 50 countries, Mark brings a refined global lens to market selection. His ventures like Red Giant, which helps Australian brands enter China, a digital marketing powerhouse, have taught him how to adapt, localize, and scale effectively. India, he believes, offers a rare opportunity to do all three at once.
“India is not just part of our strategy; it is the strategy” he says. “The scale here is something you don’t find anywhere else. If you can get the model right, the impact can be massive.”
The Road to 300: A Bold Five-Year Vision
Mark’s vision for Drive Fitt is nothing short of audacious: 300 franchise locations across India, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States within five years.
To pull it off, he’s betting on a few key ingredients: a replicable business model, a high-demand market, and most importantly, a world-class team. Leading the charge in India is Vikram Bhatia, former CEO of Fitness First India, whose leadership and industry expertise have been crucial in shaping Drive Fitt’s local rollout.
“Getting the right people on board was one of the hardest parts,” Mark admits. “But once we brought Vikram in and built the team, everything accelerated. I truly believe we now have the best fitness leadership team in the country.”
Each Drive Fitt franchise will follow a standardized design and operations model, ensuring that whether someone visits a club in Mumbai, Dubai, or Los Angeles, they experience the same quality, atmosphere, and energy.
Lessons from a Global Founder
Having built businesses from Melbourne to Shanghai, Mark is no stranger to the realities of scaling across borders. His advice for entrepreneurs looking to follow in his footsteps is rooted in experience:
- Localize with Respect:
“Don’t assume what works at home will work abroad. Every market has its own rhythm, you must listen and adapt.”
- Build for Community, Not Just Commerce:
“People connect to purpose, not just products. Drive Fitt isn’t about machines and cricket nets, it’s about belonging.”
- Think Big, Execute Small:
“Start with one perfect site. Nail it. Then scale it. That’s been my approach with every venture.”
Balancing Ambition with Values
Despite his high-growth trajectory, Mark remains grounded in something deeply personal: family. As a father two daughters, Olympia and Everly, and an adopted son, Franklin, he draws strength and inspiration from home while navigating the intense demands of entrepreneurship.
“Family is my anchor,” he says. “It reminds me why I build. I want my daughters to see that they can dream big and do meaningful work without sacrificing their values.”
It’s this blend of ambition, grounded values, and global perspective that makes Mark Sellar more than just a founder. He’s a connector of cultures, a builder of brands, and now, a catalyst for change in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets.
Explore Drive Fitt and Connect with Mark
As Drive Fitt continues to expand across India and beyond, Mark Sellar remains committed to his mission: making elite-level cricket and fitness facilities available to all, while fostering a culture of wellness and connection.
Want to follow the journey or become part of the Drive Fitt ecosystem?
- Website: drivefitthq.com
- LinkedIn: Mark Sellar
- Instagram: @mark_sellar
Whether you’re an investor, franchise partner, or someone passionate about fitness and sport, Drive Fitt represents a movement worth watching and Mark Sellar is a founder worth following.
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