Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has joined Recykal, a Hyderabad-based waste management and circular economy platform, as a strategic investor. The announcement was made on November 12, 2026. His investment extends the company’s $23 million bridge round, which closed in June 2026. The amount invested and the company’s valuation have not been disclosed.
What the Sachin Tendulkar–Recykal Deal Means
Beyond the financial backing, Tendulkar will help promote a nationwide campaign to make responsible waste behaviour an everyday habit. The campaign builds on the spirit of the government’s Swachh Bharat mission. Recykal says the partnership aims to increase public participation in the circular economy and to encourage people to treat waste as a resource that can be recovered and reused.
Tendulkar on Why He Backed Recykal
Tendulkar said he was drawn to Recykal because it uses technology to solve an everyday problem. He also pointed to the company’s goal of driving behavioural change across one billion people. He said lasting success comes from discipline and consistent effort, however small, and that the same applies to building a cleaner India.
Recykal’s Response
Abhay Deshpande, CEO and co-founder of Recykal, said the company was built on the conviction that the circular economy is fundamentally a technology problem. He called Tendulkar’s decision to join as a strategic investor “incredibly meaningful.”
About Recykal’s $23 Million Bridge Round
In June 2026, Recykal raised $23 million in a bridge round of primary and secondary capital from existing investors and select new family offices. The company is using the funds to:
- Strengthen its technology platform and Open Marketplace
- Scale its Deposit Return System (DRS)
- Support international expansion
About Recykal
Founded in 2015 by Abhay Deshpande and Abhishek Deshpande, Recykal is a technology platform that facilitates transactions across India’s waste management and recycling value chain. It works with about 650 brands, including Hindustan Unilever and Samsung.
Tendulkar’s Growing Startup Portfolio
The Recykal deal adds to Tendulkar’s startup investments, which already include Spinny, Smaaash Entertainment and JetSynthesys. Earlier this month he also became a strategic investor in Metasports Interactive, the maker of the cricket strategy game Hitwicket. Recykal marks a move into sustainability and waste-tech.
Why This Matters for India’s Circular Economy
Waste segregation, collection and recycling remain major challenges in India. A high-profile backer like Tendulkar could raise public awareness of responsible waste disposal and help Recykal’s technology-led approach reach more households and businesses.
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