In an era where tech startups are usually launched from corporate incubators or university campuses, 17-year-old high school student Sagar Asnani built Thrust from the ground up by doing something surprisingly traditional: he walked through the front doors of sports venues across Bahrain.
Started when he was just 15, Thrust was born out of a simple observation. Bahrain’s sports ecosystem was fragmented—athletes were struggling to find places to play, talented independent coaches lacked direct access to new clients, and world-class sports facilities sat with empty court slots.
Determined to bridge the gap, Asnani built a digital bridge connecting all three. Today, Thrust boasts over 700 monthly active users, onboarded major sports venues, and brought together coaches across 15+ sporting disciplines—including elite names like South Asian Games winner Saurabh Sharma and top-voted local trainer Mo Feroze.
Earning Trust in a Room Full of Adults
Building the technology was only half the battle. Earning the respect of venue managers and business directors twice his age proved to be the real trial.
"I would finish school, go out to sports facilities around Bahrain, and simply walk in," recalls Asnani. "I wasn't coming in with a large sales team—it was usually just me, my phone, and the product I had built. Sometimes people were interested immediately, but other times they would listen and then ask my age. I've been told variations of 'come back when you're older' more times than I can count."
Instead of waiting for phone calls or relying on cold emails, Asnani embraced the hustle—personally pitching venue managers in the Bahrain heat after his school day ended. His persistence paid off, earning the trust of facility owners and coaches across the Kingdom.
Championing Independent Coaches with a 0% Commission Model
What sets Thrust apart from standard booking apps is its commitment to supporting grassroots sports professionals. Operating on a 0% commission model, Thrust ensures that independent coaches keep 100% of their earnings.
"I didn't want to build a platform where a coach gets a new client and immediately has to give a percentage of that income away," explains Asnani. "Especially for independent coaches, every booking and every new client matters. The idea is to make the platform useful enough that athletes, coaches, and venues all have a reason to participate, rather than taking a cut from the people we are trying to help."
Flip the Script: Mentoring the Workforce
Asnani’s journey took an unexpected turn recently when Bahrain Polytechnic approached Thrust to host a 12-week internship for a 23-year-old final-year ICT student.
The contrast isn't lost on the young founder: while still studying for his high school exams and occasionally getting questioned about his age by prospective clients, he is simultaneously training university seniors entering the tech and sports workforce.
"When I started, the question was often, 'Are you old enough to do this?'" says Asnani. "Now the question is becoming, 'What can you build with the people who are willing to work with you?'"
With recognition from regional media outlets and growing interest across the Gulf, Asnani’s vision for Thrust extends beyond Bahrain. As he continues balancing homework with board meetings, his daily routine remains unchanged: finish school, head out into the community, and knock on the next door.
