Two young engineers turn their passion into Pune’s thriving karting and hang-out hub

The duo, who share a deep bond over their shared vision, faced multiple challenges in bringing their idea to life. “Nobody trusted us with the plan initially. We were young, and finding investors was tough,” said Manas. Determined to make their dream a reality, they each invested Rs 30 lakh with the help of their families who supported them and raised additional funding from an angel investor from Mumbai who believed in their vision.

Their journey into entrepreneurship wasn’t their first attempt at innovation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they tried launching a business, selling sanitizer dispensers but were late to the market. They also explored content creation through a YouTube channel focused on self-help and philosophy, which didn’t take off as expected. “After several failed attempts, we decided to plan something bigger, and that’s when ‘Raaftar go-karting’ was born,” Abhishek revealed.

They launched their karting track in February 2024, and within a year, it has grown into a popular attraction. “We have seen substantial growth in Ravet, where a lot of corporate employees and young professionals come in. That’s why we decided to build the track there,” Abhishek explained. From hunting for the right location to ensuring the track was both fun and safe, every step in their journey was met with hurdles. “At first, it was difficult to find a place where people would genuinely enjoy the experience with their families and friends,” Abhishek shared.

Their vision extended beyond karting. To enhance the experience, they incorporated a cafe overlooking the track. “We noticed that many young visitors, especially 18 to 20 year-olds, come with their parents. It’s not always comfortable for them to stand in the heat, so we built a cafe where they can relax and watch the races,” said Abhishek. The space also includes gaming facilities, such as PlayStations, ensuring that visitors have multiple entertainment options.

Their engineering background gave them the edge in overcoming technical challenges they had. “During our course, we had to build cars, even though it wasn’t compulsory. That experience is now proving to be ever-so valuable,” said Manas. The duo had initial difficulties with maintaining kart engines but found solutions through their technical knowledge and customer feedback.

One of their proudest achievements is collaborating with renowned brands such as Mercedes Benz, Bajaj motors, and Mini Cooper within just a year of launching. “We don’t come from business families, so we had to learn everything from scratch. But now, we’re not just running Raaftar go- karting track; we’re creating one of the coolest hangout places in Pune,” Abhishek said proudly.

At the centre of their success is a commitment to customer engagement. “Only 15-20% of our visitors are professional karting enthusiasts. The rest are people just looking to try something fun and new,” said Abhishek. To ensure they meet expectations, they actively seek feedback and make improvements based on visitor suggestions.

Reflecting on their journey, Abhishek noted, “Not everyone who is good to you will do good for you, although we learnt it the hard way we built something meaningful.” Manas added, “We were fortunate that our families supported us, despite the risks. Without that, this wouldn’t have been possible.”