Harsh Jain, the co-founder and CEO of Dream11, transformed India’s perception of gaming. He didn’t just build a fantasy sports platform—he created a movement. While the global gaming industry surged ahead, India lagged due to regulatory uncertainty, cultural hesitation, and low internet penetration. Harsh Jain saw an opportunity. He combined his love for sports with a sharp business instinct to launch a fantasy sports platform tailored to the Indian audience. Today, Dream11 stands as a $8 billion company and a dominant force in India’s gaming landscape.
Let’s explore how Harsh Jain’s vision, strategy, and execution reshaped the gaming sector and sparked a digital sports revolution in India.
Early Life and Entrepreneurial Spark
Harsh Jain grew up in Mumbai in a family deeply rooted in business. His father, Anand Jain, maintained close ties with Reliance Industries and held a reputation as a powerful corporate strategist. Harsh attended Greenlawns High School and later moved to the U.S. to pursue higher education. He earned a degree in engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and later completed an MBA from Columbia Business School.
During his time abroad, Harsh followed the NFL and played fantasy football regularly. He noticed how Americans used fantasy sports not just for entertainment, but to deepen their connection with the game. He realized India had no comparable platform, despite its obsession with cricket. He returned to India with a mission: to merge technology, sports, and strategy into an engaging platform for Indian fans.
Founding Dream11
In 2008, Harsh Jain co-founded Dream11 with his friend Bhavit Sheth. The duo started with a broader fantasy sports model, but the Indian market didn’t respond well initially. Most users lacked awareness of fantasy gaming, and mobile internet adoption remained limited.
Harsh didn’t give up. He spent years experimenting with different models. He pivoted Dream11 in 2012 to focus on daily fantasy sports rather than season-long leagues. He simplified the product, optimized it for mobile use, and introduced real-money contests with small entry fees.
Users started joining in droves. Cricket fans, in particular, embraced the idea of creating their own teams and competing against others based on real-life match outcomes. Harsh and Bhavit built a scalable product that balanced entertainment, skill, and competition. Dream11’s user base grew exponentially, especially during IPL seasons.
Building a Sports Tech Powerhouse
Under Harsh Jain’s leadership, Dream11 became India’s largest fantasy sports platform. The company secured funding from marquee investors like Kalaari Capital, Think Investments, and Steadview Capital. In 2019, Dream11 achieved unicorn status, becoming the first Indian gaming startup to reach a $1 billion valuation.
Harsh kept the company focused on user experience. He ensured Dream11 optimized the platform for tier-2 and tier-3 cities by supporting regional languages and simplifying gameplay. He hired engineers and product designers who understood India’s mobile-first population.
Dream11 capitalized on major cricket events like the IPL, ICC World Cup, and bilateral series. It signed endorsement deals with top athletes and secured partnerships with cricket franchises. In 2020, Dream11 became the official title sponsor of the Indian Premier League (IPL), a landmark moment for the brand.
Harsh also prioritized compliance and legality. He proactively engaged legal experts, fought court cases, and obtained favorable judgments that recognized fantasy sports as games of skill rather than chance. This legal clarity gave Dream11 a strong foundation, even as other gaming startups struggled with regulatory uncertainty.
Driving Responsible Gaming
While growing Dream11, Harsh Jain also championed responsible gaming. He introduced limits on contest entry fees, created age restrictions, and promoted safe play guidelines. He emphasized transparency in winnings and reinforced the skill-based nature of fantasy sports.
He collaborated with industry leaders to co-found the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS), which sets self-regulatory standards for the fantasy sports ecosystem. Under Harsh’s leadership, Dream11 followed strict verification processes to prevent misuse, fraud, or addiction. He recognized the risks involved and addressed them with proactive education and platform controls.
This approach helped Dream11 earn user trust and differentiate itself from betting or gambling platforms. Harsh positioned Dream11 as a legitimate sports tech company, not just a gaming app. He continuously reinforced that skill, knowledge, and sports acumen drive success on the platform.
Overcoming Challenges and Criticism
Harsh Jain didn’t build Dream11 without resistance. Many criticized the platform for promoting addiction and monetizing fandom. Some labeled it as “gambling in disguise.” State governments in places like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana even banned fantasy sports apps at different points.
Harsh took these challenges head-on. He filed legal petitions, submitted compliance documentation, and argued that Dream11 empowered fans, not exploited them. He won major victories in courts, including a landmark Supreme Court ruling in 2021 that reaffirmed the legality of fantasy sports under India’s Public Gambling Act.
He also invested in awareness campaigns to educate the public. Dream11 launched responsible gaming initiatives, clarified its terms of service, and created help centers for users. Harsh used these moments not as setbacks, but as opportunities to improve the platform and reinforce its credibility.
Expanding Beyond Dream11
Harsh Jain didn’t stop at fantasy sports. In 2021, he and Bhavit Sheth launched Dream Sports, a parent company overseeing multiple sports-related ventures. They created a portfolio that included:
- Dream Capital: An investment arm focused on sports tech and gaming startups.
- FanCode: A live sports content platform offering match streaming, scores, and stats.
- DreamSetGo: A sports travel and experiences platform for premium sports events.
- DreamPay: A payments and financial services layer for users within the Dream Sports ecosystem.
Through these initiatives, Harsh aimed to create a full-stack sports experience company. He didn’t just want fans to play fantasy games; he wanted them to watch matches, track analytics, attend live events, and engage with sports on every level.
The Rise of India’s Gaming Industry
While Harsh Jain scaled Dream11, the Indian gaming industry also exploded. Affordable smartphones, cheaper data, and pandemic-induced digital shifts pushed millions of Indians into mobile gaming. By 2025, analysts expect the Indian gaming market to surpass $8 billion in annual revenue.
Dream11 led the charge in fantasy gaming, but Harsh Jain’s impact extended beyond just one platform. He legitimized gaming as a serious business. He proved that Indian users would pay for skill-based competitions. He inspired dozens of startups across gaming, esports, and real-money gaming to follow suit.
Venture capital firms now actively fund Indian gaming startups, thanks in large part to Dream11’s success. Universities and ed-tech companies have introduced gaming and sports analytics courses. Mainstream sports leagues now view fantasy gaming as a key revenue stream and fan engagement tool.
Vision for the Future
Harsh Jain envisions a future where Dream Sports becomes a global sports technology leader. He plans to take Indian fantasy sports to international markets, especially cricket-loving nations like Australia, South Africa, and the UK. He continues to invest in AI, data science, and analytics to deepen personalization and competition.
He also supports grassroots sports development. Through partnerships with local leagues and academies, Dream11 funds talent discovery and youth sports programs. Harsh believes in giving back to the ecosystem that helped his company thrive.
In every interview, he emphasizes one core idea: “We didn’t just create a product. We built a culture of sports engagement in India.” He aims to keep pushing boundaries, one dream at a time.
Conclusion
Harsh Jain transformed Dream11 from a niche fantasy platform into a $8 billion sports tech powerhouse. He navigated legal battles, cultural skepticism, and fierce competition with relentless focus and innovation. Through Dream11, he elevated India’s gaming industry and inspired a generation of digital sports entrepreneurs.
By embracing skill, integrity, and user experience, Harsh Jain didn’t just build a company—he built a legacy.