Sports industry stalwart and serial entrepreneur Ravi Krishnan has announced the launch of his newest venture, Abler Sports & Entertainment (ASE, pronounced ‘ACE’), an IP and data-driven enterprise designed to support rightsholders, brands and celebrities with global ambitions.

With a strong foundation in sports, entertainment, music, fashion, food, media, and lifestyle, ASE is being positioned as a disruptor in an evolving global ecosystem.

According to an official press release issued on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, ASE will operate with a unique proposition—blending IP creation, data-driven fan engagement, and the growing convergence of sport and popular culture. Speaking on the company’s core philosophy, Krishnan, former MD of IMG India/South Asia and ex-Vice Chairman of IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals, said: “We are launching ASE to capitalise on several rising tides including the recognition of IP in creating enterprise value, the growing relevance of India and emerging markets for rightsholders, brands and celebrities with global ambitions, the significance of women’s sport, and the rise of sportainment — or as we refer to it, the ‘festivalisation’ of sport.”

Industry veterans have been quick to lend their support. Peter Hutton, media veteran and former CEO of Eurosport and Fox Sports Asia, who worked alongside Krishnan at IMG, noted, “I’m very happy to see the scale of their ambition and their original take on doing business in an evolving ecosystem. I believe ASE is building something very unique in helping bring the world to India and taking India to the world.”

The company is backed by a high-profile investor group and advisory board with a combined experience of over 300 years across media, tech, sports, and private equity. The roster includes notable names like Mike Dolan (former Chairman, IMG), Jim Glover (former Deputy Chairman, CSM), Ashutosh Srivastava (former CEO, GroupM APAC), and Prapti Anand (former Fondation Chanel APAC Leader).

Stepathlon, Krishnan’s fan engagement and wellness platform, now serves as ASE’s Engage Division. Already powering data and engagement campaigns for top-tier global brands such as Manchester City, Gujarat Titans and the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, the platform enables fan activation that goes beyond awareness, transforming passive volume into measurable, action-led communities.

“There is no truly global organisation that can create, compete and collaborate across both developed and emerging markets,” Krishnan added. “ASE will operate at the intersection of content, community and commerce, while being a bridge between analogue and digital, traditional and modern, using data and AI as key enablers.”

ASE’s six key verticals include: ASE Engage (Fan Engagement & Data), ASE Alive (Events & Experiential), ASE Advisory (Market Entry, Brand, Revenue and Raise), ASE Partnerships (for Brands, Rightsholders, Celebrities), ASE Media (Non-live Content & Platform-native Storytelling), and ASE Consumer (Licensing & Merchandising). Despite being in its infancy, the company has already closed five international deals across three divisions and has a growing pipeline of blue-chip clients.

One of its earliest clients, Destination Sport Group (DSG), a global leader in sports travel, is setting up its India business in partnership with ASE. “Partnering with ASE has been the right decision,” said James Robinson, Global Business Development Director at DSG. “Their professionalism, diligence, and attention to detail have been exceptional and they have proven to be a trusted and invaluable ally.”

Investors and industry peers echo the sentiment. Josh Liberman, Co-founder of CVS Lane Capital Partners and Chairman, Lumir Ventures, remarked, “ASE’s emphasis on data-driven strategies and IP development is both distinctive and forward-looking. Ravi stands out as a compassionate and visionary leader.”

Veeru Murugappan, founder of Coromandel Productions and part of the respected Murugappa family, also lent his support: “I have known Ravi for close to two decades now and have been an admirer of his work. He understands storytelling and crafting narratives as well as anyone in this industry.”

With operations spanning the UK, India, US and Australia, Abler Sports & Entertainment begins its journey with a bold promise — to create culturally resonant, commercially viable, and globally scalable solutions in a time when the very fabric of sport and entertainment is transforming.