• Founders: Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth co-founded Dream11 in 2008.
• Roles: Harsh Jain is the CEO; Bhavit Sheth is the COO.
• Company: Dream11 is the world’s largest fantasy sports platform with over 230 million users.
• Success: It became a unicorn in 2019, valued at over $1 billion.
• Challenges: Faced legal issues in some states, but courts ruled it a game of skill.

Who Owns Dream11?

Dream11, India’s most popular fantasy sports app, was started by Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth in 2008. They are the co-founders and owners of the company, which is now part of Dream Sports. Harsh Jain serves as the CEO, leading the company’s vision, while Bhavit Sheth, the COO, ensures smooth operations and a great user experience.

Why Is Dream11 So Popular?

Dream11 lets users create virtual teams of real players and earn points based on their performance in actual matches. It’s a fun way for sports fans to test their knowledge, especially in cricket, football, and kabaddi. The app’s success comes from the hard work of Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth, who turned a simple idea into a massive business.

How Did They Start?

Harsh and Bhavit faced many challenges before Dream11 became a hit. Harsh Jain was rejected 150 times while trying to start a business, but he never gave up. Together, they launched Dream11 to bring sports fans closer to the games they love, and their determination paid off.

All About Dream11 Owners: Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth

Introduction

Dream11 is a household name in India, loved by millions of sports fans who enjoy creating fantasy teams and competing online. Whether it’s cricket, football, or kabaddi, Dream11 makes sports exciting and interactive. But who are the people behind this huge success? The app was founded by two friends, Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth, in 2008. This article dives into their story, how they built Dream11, the challenges they faced, and why they are celebrated as top entrepreneurs in India.

Who Are Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth?

Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth are the co-founders of Dream11, and they own the company under the parent organization, Dream Sports. Here’s a closer look at them:

Harsh Jain: The Visionary CEO

• Background: Harsh Jain was born in 1986 in Mumbai. He is the son of Anand Jain, a well-known businessman and close friend of Mukesh Ambani, India’s richest man.
• Education: He studied engineering, electrical engineering, mathematics, and economics at the University of Pennsylvania and later earned an MBA from Columbia Business School in New York.
• Career: Before Dream11, Harsh worked as an intern at Microsoft. He also started another company called Red Digital with Bhavit, which was later acquired by Gozoop.
• Role: As CEO of Dream11, Harsh leads the company’s growth and strategy. He is known for his love for sports and his never-give-up attitude.

Bhavit Sheth: The Operations Expert

• Background: Bhavit Sheth is an engineer with a strong business mind. He keeps a lower profile but is equally important to Dream11’s success.
• Education: He has an MBA from Bentley University in Boston and a diploma in e-commerce strategies from Harvard University.
• Career: Like Harsh, Bhavit co-founded Red Digital before starting Dream11. He also worked as a financial research intern at Bilav Information Services LLP and as a quality assurance intern at Godrej & Boyce.
• Role: As COO, Bhavit focuses on making sure Dream11 runs smoothly, offering users a trusted and fun experience.

Together, Harsh and Bhavit’s skills and teamwork have made Dream11 a global leader in fantasy sports.

How Did Dream11 Start?

Dream11 began in 2008 when Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth decided to create a platform for sports fans to engage with their favorite games in a new way. But the journey wasn’t easy. Harsh faced rejection 150 times while trying to start a business, which shows how determined he was.

Here’s a timeline of Dream11’s growth:

• 2008: Harsh and Bhavit founded Dream11, focusing on fantasy sports.
• 2012: They introduced a free version of the app for cricket fans, which started gaining users.
• 2014: Dream11 had 1 million registered users.
• 2016: The user base grew to 2 million.
• 2018: It reached 45 million users.
• 2019: Dream11 became India’s first gaming unicorn, valued at over $1 billion, with investments from companies like Steadview Capital, Kalaari Capital, and Tencent.
• 2021: Dream Sports, the parent company, raised $840 million from investors like Tiger Global and Falcon Edge, boosting its valuation to $8 billion.
• 2025: Dream11 now has over 230 million users, making it the world’s largest fantasy sports platform.

Their hard work paid off, and Dream11 grew from a small idea to a massive company.

What Makes Dream11 Special?

Dream11 is more than just an app—it’s a way for sports fans to feel closer to the games they love. Here’s why it’s so popular:

• Fantasy Sports: Users pick real players to create a virtual team. If those players do well in actual matches, users earn points.
• Variety: It offers games for cricket, football, basketball, kabaddi, hockey, volleyball, and more.
• Sponsorships: Dream11 sponsors big events like the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Indian cricket team, making it a trusted name.
• User Base: With over 230 million users, it’s the biggest fantasy sports platform in the world.

Dream11 is part of Dream Sports, which also runs other businesses like:

• FanCode: A platform for watching live sports and getting stats.
• DreamSetGo: A service for booking tickets to sports events.
• Dream Sports Foundation: A group that supports sports development in India.

Challenges Faced by Dream11

Dream11 hasn’t always had a smooth ride. In some Indian states like Assam, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, fantasy sports are banned because some people think they are like gambling. However, in 2017, the Bombay High Court ruled that Dream11 is a “game of skill,” not chance, making it legal in most parts of India. The Supreme Court also supported this decision.

In 2021, Karnataka banned online gaming, and Dream11 had to stop its services there. But in 2022, the Karnataka High Court lifted the ban, allowing Dream11 to return. These legal battles show that Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth have had to fight hard to keep their business running.

Interesting Facts About Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth

Here are some fun facts about the Dream11 owners:

• Harsh’s Home: Harsh Jain lives in a posh area of Mumbai, near Mukesh Ambani’s famous house, Antilia, which is worth Rs 15,000 crore.
• Rejections: Harsh was rejected 150 times before starting Dream11, proving that persistence pays off.
• Family Ties: Harsh’s father, Anand Jain, is a close friend of Mukesh Ambani and was called the “third son” of Reliance founder Dhirubhai Ambani.
• Bhavit’s Focus: Bhavit Sheth is known for his attention to detail, ensuring Dream11 users have a great experience every time they play.

Table: Key Milestones of Dream11

FAQ Section

Q: Who owns Dream11?
A: Dream11 is owned by Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth, who co-founded it in 2008. Harsh is the CEO, and Bhavit is the COO.

Q: Is Dream11 legal in India?
A: Yes, in most states. The Bombay High Court ruled it a game of skill, not gambling, but it’s banned in states like Assam, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.

Q: How did Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth start Dream11?
A: They started it in 2008 after facing many rejections. They wanted to create a platform for sports fans to play fantasy games.

Q: What is Dream Sports?
A: Dream Sports is the parent company of Dream11. It also runs FanCode, DreamSetGo, and the Dream Sports Foundation.

Q: How big is Dream11 today?
A: Dream11 has over 230 million users and is valued at $8 billion, making it the world’s largest fantasy sports platform.

Conclusion

Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth are the brilliant minds behind Dream11, a company that has changed how Indians enjoy sports. From facing 150 rejections to building a $8 billion empire, their story is one of hard work, teamwork, and never giving up. Dream11 is now a global leader, sponsoring major sports events and bringing fans closer to the games they love. If you’re a Dream11 user or just curious about its owners, Harsh and Bhavit’s journey is truly inspiring. Share this article with friends, and let us know your thoughts in the comments!