It’s not every day you meet a founder whose business journey spans multiple countries and bridges the worlds of fitness, property, and international investment. But for Australian serial entrepreneur and investor Mark Sellar, building cross-border ventures is second nature.
With a career as dynamic as it is diverse, Sellar has worn many hats—award-winning product developer, property investor, CEO, and now Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Drive Fitt, India’s first integrated cricket and fitness club franchise. He also serves as Chairman of Sellar Capital, a family office investment firm focused on property, small businesses, and startups.
“My career has always revolved around building,” says Sellar. “Whether it’s companies, teams, or physical developments, the goal has always been the same: create something that delivers value—something people genuinely want and see value in.”
The Spark Behind Drive Fitt
Drive Fitt was never just another fitness brand—it started with a bold idea rooted in personal passion and sharp market insight. While leading Kubo Fit, a fitness booking platform in Australia, Sellar began exploring opportunities in India. What he discovered there became the seed for something far greater.
“I’ve always loved cricket. I played as a junior and understood its cultural power,” he explains. “But what struck me was that, despite cricket’s massive following, high-quality training facilities were mostly reserved for elite athletes. I wanted to change that.”
His vision: combine cricket and fitness into a single, accessible, community-driven membership platform. It wasn’t just about workouts or practice nets—it was about creating a lifestyle hub where everyday people could access world-class facilities once limited to professionals.
“There’s a huge gap between demand and quality infrastructure,” Sellar notes. “And while India’s gym market is booming, no one was merging cricket and fitness under one roof. That’s the opportunity Drive Fitt is filling.”
Drive. Strive. Thrive. Revive. Welcome to the Hive.
At its core, Drive Fitt delivers a clear and powerful value proposition: everything a cricket and fitness enthusiast needs—under one roof and accessible to all.
“We call it DRIVE.STRIVE.THRIVE.REVIVE,” Sellar says. “It’s cricket, fitness, classes, recovery—and our HIVE, which is the community. It’s not just about physical training. It’s about creating a culture.”
What truly sets the model apart is its scalability. Drive Fitt isn’t just a facility—it’s a franchise opportunity, built to expand throughout India and beyond. The flagship location, a 26,000-square-foot site at M3M’s 65th Avenue in Gurgaon, represents a major milestone and validation of the concept.
“That lease was a pivotal moment,” he shares. “It showed the market that we’re serious. Gurgaon is just the beginning.”
Crossing Borders, Learning Markets
Building a business in a new country is never easy. For Sellar, entering India as an Australian entrepreneur came with a steep learning curve—but it also offered the perfect opportunity to double down on his strengths.
He’s not taking a hands-off approach. With boots on the ground, he’s connecting with people, working closely with local teams, embracing the culture, trying the cuisine—and immersing himself in every part of the experience.
“I’m all in on India,” he affirms. To facilitate this commitment, he relocated his family from Australia to Dubai, allowing him to travel to India every two weeks.
“It’s vast, complex, and full of opportunity—but only if you have the right people on board.”
The early days were marked by recruitment challenges. Navigating India’s regulatory, operational, and cultural environment demanded a ground-up strategy. But Sellar quickly realized that leadership was the key to long-term success.
“Finding the right people was hard at first. But now, I truly believe we have the best team in India’s fitness industry,” he adds.
At the operational helm is Vikram Bhatia, former CEO of Fitness First India, whose experience has been instrumental in turning Drive Fitt’s vision into reality.
The Bigger Picture: Scaling with Vision
With its first location launched and a solid leadership team in place, Drive Fitt is preparing for rapid growth. Sellar’s goal: 300 franchise locations within the next five years, not only across India but also expanding into the US and UAE.
“The demand is global,” he says confidently. “Cricket is loved around the world, and the fitness movement is only growing. We’re blending two passions into one scalable, impactful business.”
This model goes beyond business—it’s a cultural connector. Drive Fitt brings people together through sport, wellness, and community—an approach Sellar believes resonates far beyond Indian borders.
Lessons from the Field
As someone who has launched companies across industries and continents, Sellar offers key lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs:
1. Obsess Over the Market:
“Don’t just build a business for the sake of it. Understand where the gaps are, where the demand lies, and how you can deliver something people truly WANT and NEED.”
2. Invest in People Early:
“Our biggest early mistake was underestimating how vital the right team is. Once we got the right people, everything accelerated.”
3. Think Globally, Execute Locally:
“You may have a global vision, but success comes from executing locally. Respect the local nuances. Learn, adapt, and then scale.”
A Founder with Global Ambitions
Mark Sellar is far from finished. With ongoing ventures through Sellar Capital and the expansion of Drive Fitt, his schedule is packed. But for Sellar, it’s all part of a lifelong mission to build meaningful, value-driven businesses that cross boundaries and challenge the status quo.
His advice to fellow founders is simple, yet powerful:
“Build with purpose. Don’t chase the next big thing—build something people genuinely need, and build it better than anyone else.”
Connect with Mark Sellar and Explore Drive Fitt:
Stay updated with Mark Sellar’s entrepreneurial journey and Drive Fitt’s mission. Explore his vision, follow his work, or reach out for collaboration:
Website: www.drivefitthq.com
LinkedIn: Mark Sellar
Instagram: @mark_sellar
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a cricket enthusiast, or someone passionate about impactful ventures, Drive Fitt is a movement worth watching—and Mark Sellar is a founder worth learning from.
