Indian golfer Krishiv Tekchandani is looking to do more than swing a club on the golf course — the 19-year-old has started a new entrepreneurial journey in ultra-luxury watches. He’s been competitive in golf since he was a kid but now Tekchandani wants to make his presence felt in business with his new venture XII NOON.
Tekchandani has won more than 100 trophies in international competitions during his career so far. On the golf course he was recognised early on, but his public journey has also been about trying to use his platform for social causes.
During the COVID-19 pandemic Tekchandani gave his entire prize money to a vaccination drive for blue collar workers at his golf club. This was an effort on his part to give back to the wider community in difficult times. He also asked young people to consider giving blood before getting COVID-19 vaccinations because “there might be a shortage of blood during the period when people get vaccinated”.
These initiatives brought attention to Tekchandani’s desire to use sport as a platform for social responsibility. Golf was still at the centre of his journey but he also pursued academic and entrepreneurial interests.
Tekchandani has studied at the London School of Economics and Harvard Business School. His academic background complements his sporting background as he prepares for a new challenge in business.
As part of his entrepreneurial ambitions Tekchandani has entered the ultra-luxury watch industry with XII NOON. Craftsmanship, rarity and exclusivity are key to the venture — limited production too (according to vision behind the brand XII NOON will only produce 45 timepieces per year).
The limited production model is supposed to put the venture in ultra luxury category where exclusivity and craftsmanship are what defines a brand. Tekchandani has said that his aim is to build a globally recognised luxury house with roots in Bharat.
“My vision is to build a globally recognised ultra luxury house of Bharat origin that produces only 45 timepieces a year. XII NOON is made with Bharat for the world. It’s not made for everyone but created for those who value rarity, craftsmanship, exclusivity and purpose. For me this journey is about building luxury with purpose,” Tekchandani said.
It will also have a social-impact element in its business model. “A part of our earnings will be given to widows of Indian Army soldiers”, the initiative said. That makes it philanthropic for the luxury venture and dovetails with Tekchandani’s earlier efforts to support social causes.
Tekchandani’s move into entrepreneurship is a new chapter in a journey that began on golf courses as a young kid. Competitive sport teaches discipline, focus, consistency and the ability to perform under pressure — skills which can be useful in business too.
After competing internationally and winning more than 100 trophies the young golfer is now trying to use what he has learned through sport in his entrepreneurial aspirations. It also shows how young athletes are interested in careers and opportunities outside of their main sport.
After playing golf courses all over the world, entering ultra-luxury business and now building a career that combines sport with entrepreneurship and philanthropy Tekchandani is now on social media and publications (Forbes included) where his journey has been recognized.
19 year old Krishiv Tekchandani’s next challenge is off the fairway. With XII NOON the young golfer hopes to build a unique luxury brand while continuing to combine business with social impact — as he starts this new entrepreneurial chapter his journey will be watched closely as an example of a young sportsperson exploring opportunities outside competitive athletics.
