Dream Sports CTO Amit Sharma Resigns to Launch His Own AI Startup
In a notable leadership transition at one of India’s largest fantasy sports platforms, Dream Sports Chief Technology Officer Amit Sharma has stepped down after nearly a decade with the company to pursue a new AI venture. Sharma announced his departure in a reflective LinkedIn post, describing it as time for his “next adventure” following what he called a “wonderful decade” at Dream Sports.
Sharma joined Dream Sports (then Dream11) in 2016 after spending around 12 years in the United States, where he worked at technology giants including Netflix and Yahoo. His move to Dream11 marked a return to India and the opportunity to blend his passion for sports with cutting-edge technology.
“I joined Dream11 when it was just a 45-person company with a 20-member tech team,” Sharma wrote. “For the first time, I was allowed to combine my passion for sports with my profession in tech. Over the years, we scaled that tech team to 600 strong, all based right here in Mumbai.”
He expressed excitement about his next chapter, hinting that the new startup would focus on building “something cool” with artificial intelligence. While details of the venture remain under wraps, Sharma’s decision reflects a growing trend of seasoned technology leaders stepping away from established companies to pursue entrepreneurial ambitions in the booming AI space.
Dream Sports’ Evolution and Current Challenges
Sharma’s exit comes as Dream Sports navigates a complex regulatory landscape in India’s online gaming industry. The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 has significantly altered the sector by prohibiting online money games involving skill, chance, or a combination of both. The law also restricts promotion and related financial transactions.
In response, Dream11 has repositioned itself as a sports entertainment platform, emphasizing creator-led watch-alongs, real-time fan interaction, and free-to-play fantasy sports. The company has also been streamlining its portfolio. Its financial services app Dream Money is being wound down and will cease operations on July 30, 2026. Meanwhile, DreamStreet (stockbroking) and other verticals continue to operate with AI-powered features.
Dream Play, an AI-powered sports performance analytics app associated with Sharma, was discontinued in June 2026. The broader sector continues to face pressure from a Supreme Court ruling upholding retrospective 28% GST on online gaming companies.
Sharma’s Contributions and Legacy
During his tenure, Sharma played a key role in scaling Dream Sports’ technology infrastructure. From a small team to 600 engineers based in Mumbai, the tech organization built robust systems to handle massive user traffic, ensure fair gameplay, and deliver seamless experiences during peak sporting events.
His leadership helped Dream Sports evolve from a pure fantasy sports platform into a diversified sports technology company. The emphasis on building in-house technology capabilities rather than relying heavily on third-party solutions gave the company a strong competitive edge.
Broader Trend of Tech Leadership Exits
Sharma’s decision to leave a senior role at a well-funded company to start something new mirrors a larger trend in India’s tech ecosystem. Many senior leaders who helped build unicorns and decacorns are now channeling their experience into new AI-first ventures. The rapid advancement in AI tools and the availability of capital for promising ideas are encouraging seasoned professionals to take the entrepreneurial plunge again.
For Dream Sports, founded in 2008 by Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth, the focus will now be on leadership continuity and adapting to the new regulatory reality. The company was last valued at $8 billion in 2021 after raising $840 million from prominent investors including Tiger Global, DST Global, and TPG.
What Lies Ahead
While Sharma has not revealed specifics about his new AI startup, his track record suggests a focus on building practical, high-impact solutions. His experience scaling technology at Dream Sports, combined with exposure to global best practices from his time at Netflix and Yahoo, positions him well for the next chapter.
For the Indian tech community, moves like Sharma’s highlight the ecosystem’s maturity. Leaders are not just building companies; they are creating second acts that push innovation boundaries, particularly in artificial intelligence.
As Dream Sports continues to reposition itself in a challenging regulatory environment, Amit Sharma’s departure marks the end of an important era. His contributions helped transform a startup into a major player in Indian sports technology. Now, he embarks on a new journey of “building something cool again,” a phrase that captures the enduring spirit of entrepreneurship.
The coming months will be watched closely by the industry as both Dream Sports and Sharma’s new venture chart their respective courses. In India’s dynamic tech landscape, leadership transitions like this often signal fresh waves of innovation and growth.