Women’s CricZone: Yash Lahoti on Building a Media Empire for Women’s Cricket
In a country where cricket is a religion, one man noticed that half of the congregation was being ignored. Yash Lahoti, Founder and CEO of Women’s CricZone, is the visionary who saw the untapped potential of women's cricket long before it became a mainstream conversation. By building the world's first exclusive media platform for the women's game, Yash is not just reporting scores; he's helping to bridge a massive 99% gap in investment and visibility.
Yash's journey was ignited during the 2017 Women's Cricket World Cup. While working at Mojo Networks, he noticed the unprecedented traction women's cricket was gaining on social media. India reached the finals, and 15.6 crore Indians tuned in—a number that silenced the "nobody watches" critics. "I started a social media handle just to follow the games, and the response was overwhelming," Yash recalls. "I realized there was a niche audience hungry for exclusive coverage that existing giants were failing to provide."
The '99% Gap'
Yash points out that while the numbers are growing, women's cricket is still only at 1% of the men's game in terms of investment and commercialization. "There is a 99% gap that needs to be filled," he says. "From grassroots programs to a full-fledged women's IPL, the opportunities for growth are massive. We are here to tell the stories that drive that investment."
Bootstrapping a Niche Media Venture
Transitioning from a stable software engineering job to a media founder required both financial discipline and immense confidence. Yash bootstrapped the venture using his savings from 13 months of work, ensuring he had a two-year cushion. "Media is low-cost at the start but high-effort in terms of consistency," he notes. "I didn't take a rupee from my parents. I focused on building a website and a presence that the community could trust."
The platform has since evolved from a website to a digital magazine, a mobile app, and even the world's first exclusive award show for women cricketers. Yash's ability to "juggling multiple hats"—from Design and Design to Sales and Editorial—allowed him to build a robust brand without massive initial capital.
Building a Team of Experts
Finding the right people was crucial for a niche platform. Yash brought on the late Siddhant Patnaik, a veteran journalist with a decade of experience in women's cricket, and Ananya Upendran, a domestic cricketer herself. "I'm not a journalist by training," Yash admits. "I needed people who lived and breathed the game. Their expertise gave Women’s CricZone the credibility it needed to compete on the global stage."
This team has covered global events like the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia, providing on-ground reporting that has made them a trusted source for fans and players alike. Even when the pandemic stopped live sports, the team pivoted to deep-dive stories and historical features, keeping the momentum alive.
Yash's Playbook for Niche Founders
- Validate Before You Leap: Use social media to test if there is real demand for your niche idea before quitting your job.
- Focus on One Right Thing: On days when 10 things go wrong, find the one success that keeps you motivated.
- Education is Empowerment: In sports, as in startups, always have a backup plan. Education provides the safety net that allows you to take risks.
- Think Long-Term: Don't just look at today's numbers. Look at the power of an idea to reach 100% of its potential over 10 years.
The Future of Women's Cricket
Yash is incredibly optimistic about the sport's trajectory. He believes that the shift from negativity to positivity—sparked by tournaments like the IPL—will eventually sweep through the women's game as well. "The power of sport is its ability to bring change," he observes. "As families start motivating their daughters as much as their sons, we will see a surge in domestic talent that will make women's cricket a global powerhouse."
Women’s CricZone Milestones
- Global Reach: World's first exclusive media platform for women's cricket.
- Innovation: Launched first-ever award show specifically for women cricketers.
- Growth: Expanded from a social handle to a website, digital magazine, and mobile app.
About the Guest
Yash Lahoti is the Founder and CEO of Women’s CricZone. A graduate of the Pune Institute of Computer Technology, Yash transitioned from a career in network engineering to become a pioneer in sports media. He is a passionate advocate for gender equality in sports and is dedicated to giving women's cricket the visibility it deserves. Under his leadership, Women’s CricZone has become a global authority on the sport, telling the stories of athletes from across the world.
Women’s CricZone is a premier media platform dedicated exclusively to the world of women's cricket. Through its website, mobile app, and digital magazine, it provides comprehensive coverage, expert analysis, and inspiring stories, serving as the primary voice for the sport's players and fans worldwide.