Kartik Sabherwal is most famously known as the founder of Upthrust E-Sports. He is a passionate & highly motivated individual, always brimming with new ideas. He serves as a mentor, guide, and a leader for this entire team, encouraging their learning, growth, and development. Despite facing numerous challenges along his path to success, he persevered, and his dedication ultimately paid off. Since its inception in 2020, Upthrust E-Sports has been successfully managed by Kartik, establishing him as a prominent figure in the industry. He is widely recognized as a role model to aspiring entrepreneurs in the country and has gained nationwide prominence via Upthrust. Additionally, he has held the position of Head of League Ops at SkyEsportsGaming for two years, further solidifying his expertise and leadership within the esports industry.
Early Life
Kartik Sabherwal was born and brought up in Mumbai, Maharashtra in 2002. From a young age, Kartik exhibited natural creativity and an insatiable appetite for all things gaming, which only intensified as he grew older. Despite his love for gaming, he never lost sight of the importance of education, and this drive and determination helped him achieve his academic goals in the form of a degree in BSc Mathematics from Bundelkhand University in 2023. Now, with his degree in hand, Kartik is all set to take the gaming world by storm, armed with his technical knowledge, creative flair, and unbridled passion.
Rise of a Budding Leader
Kartik had a long-standing interest in creating an online platform for gamers. He pursued this dream and successfully launched Upthrust E-Sports in April 2020. The platform’s aim is to deal with developments in the E-Sports industry and provide career opportunities for young people.
He took this idea to Shark Tank, which was well-received by all sharks. The platform also helps the Company garner national attention and a younger fan base. This made him known nationwide and started a youth fan base despite being so young. The company’s success has led to its current valuation of approximately 25 crores.
Following its launch in April 2020, Upthrust E-Sports gained popularity, leading to the platform’s incorporation on 4th June 2021. Today, Upthrust E-Sports is a major player in the industry, providing a platform for gamers and creating career opportunities for young people.
The Journey Continues
Upthrust E-Sports has experienced steady growth, boasting over 8 lakh registered gamers and subscribers ranging from 3 to 3.5 lakhs. In addition, Kartik has organized nearly 30 gaming events with a combined prize pool of nearly INR 1 crore.
For the business year 2022–23, the sales of Upthrust E-Sports have reached INR 3 crores, resulting in a net profit of 30-35%. A significant achievement came to Kartik when the Indian Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports made a landmark decision to include E-Sports in multi-sports events, further legitimizing the industry.
Kartik Sabherwal has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on those around him and the larger community at just 21 years of age. His inspirational story has made him a youth icon for this generation and the next, with many looking up to him as a beacon of hope and resilience. As he continues to blaze his trail, we can only hope to learn from his example and emulate his dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to making a difference.
