When Rahat Kulshreshtha was just another grad student in 2013, he never imagined that a rented drone for a music video would lead to the creation of a potentially revolutionary sports technology company.
Co-founded with his roommate Gaurav Mehta, the startup they launched as a school project has evolved into Quidich Innovation Labs, a global broadcasting tech enterprise using cutting-edge drones to bring fans a stadium-like experience from the comfort of their own homes.
The company’s latest venture is the ICC Immersive app for cricket fans. This VR extension for Apple Vision Pro allows viewers to watch matches in a 3D virtual space, giving them a unique perspective of the game. The technology, perfect for cricket’s 360-degree nature, enhances the viewing experience and adds a whole new dimension to sports broadcasting. Quidich is also working on expanding the app to other platforms like Oculus.
The Creativity vs. Commerce Conundrum
For Kulshreshtha, the decision to pursue entrepreneurship wasn’t easy. As a filmmaker at heart, he struggled to balance his creative aspirations with the realities of running a business. It wasn’t until a soul-searching retreat in Northern India that he realized entrepreneurship and creativity can coexist.
Embracing the fusion of creativity and commerce, Kulshreshtha found that his filmmaking skills were directly applicable to growing his business. He emphasized the importance of storytelling in business strategy and successfully pivoted Quidich into a sports tech company.
Commitment Breeds Confidence
Kulshreshtha’s confidence soared when he realized he could grow his business without compromising his creative integrity. Even when his first pitch to Apple seemed to fall on deaf ears, he persisted and eventually secured a partnership with the ICC for their Immersive app.
Today, Quidich boasts top clients like Bundesliga and LIV Golf, all while maintaining their ethos of blending creative passion with commercial success. Kulshreshtha believes that when you incorporate your passion into your work, it no longer feels like work, and the quality of your output reflects that.