Aman Gupta Launches OffBeat Studios After boAt Exit

Aman Gupta, the high-profile co-founder of boAt Lifestyle—the audio and wearables brand that became one of India’s fastest-growing consumer electronics companies—has unveiled his next entrepreneurial chapter. On March 3, Gupta announced the launch of OffBeat Studios via a post on X, signalling a bold new beginning after stepping away from daily operations at boAt.

In his characteristically direct style, Gupta wrote: “With every birthday, some grow older, I grow bolder. I am still hungry, still impatient and still driven. Aman 2.0 begins soon. Introducing my new venture.” Accompanying the message was a sleek visual featuring a stylised “OFF/BEAT” logo in uppercase, though no additional details about the company’s focus, product line, business model, team composition, funding, or timeline were shared.

The announcement arrives at a pivotal moment for both Gupta and boAt. Having co-founded the company in 2016 alongside Sameer Mehta, Gupta played an instrumental role in building boAt’s distinctive brand voice—marked by youthful energy, aggressive digital marketing, celebrity endorsements, and a sharp focus on affordable yet aspirational audio products. His visibility surged further through multiple seasons as a judge on Shark Tank India, where he became a recognisable face for aspiring entrepreneurs and young consumers.

Gupta’s transition out of day-to-day leadership at boAt began last year. In September 2025, the company appointed Gaurav Nayyar as Chief Executive Officer, bringing in professional management expertise to steer operations. Sameer Mehta, the other co-founder, shifted to the role of Executive Director with a focus on long-term strategy. Gupta himself moved to a non-executive board position, allowing him greater flexibility to explore new opportunities while retaining influence over the company he helped build into a household name.

The timing of OffBeat Studios’ reveal is particularly noteworthy as boAt’s parent entity, Imagine Marketing Limited, advances toward its long-awaited initial public offering. The Warburg Pincus-backed company received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for its IPO plans following a confidential filing earlier in 2025. Industry estimates place the potential valuation in the range of ₹13,000 crore, making it one of the most anticipated consumer-tech listings in recent years.

This marks boAt’s second attempt at going public. In January 2022, the company filed draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) papers for a ₹2,000 crore IPO that included a fresh issue and an offer for sale component. Those plans were later withdrawn amid unfavourable market conditions and volatility. The renewed push reflects improved investor sentiment toward consumer brands with strong domestic traction and scalable growth potential.

Neither boAt nor Gupta has indicated whether OffBeat Studios will maintain any formal ties to the audio-wearables giant or operate as a completely independent entity. The ambiguity has sparked speculation across industry circles—some observers suggest the new venture could explore adjacent categories such as lifestyle tech, content creation, or experiential branding, leveraging Gupta’s marketing acumen and consumer insight. Others view it simply as a founder’s natural progression toward a fresh canvas after a decade of building one of India’s most recognisable D2C success stories.

For now, details remain intentionally sparse, a move consistent with many high-profile founders who prefer controlled reveals once core elements—product, team, or go-to-market strategy—are firmly in place. Gupta’s post conveys unapologetic ambition and continuity of drive, qualities that defined his tenure at boAt and helped the brand capture significant market share in a crowded category.

As boAt prepares for its public debut and professional leadership settles in, Aman Gupta’s launch of OffBeat Studios underscores the entrepreneurial restlessness that continues to fuel India’s startup ecosystem. Whether this new chapter becomes another breakout success or carves a different path entirely, the announcement marks a clear signal: the man who helped make boAt a cultural phenomenon is far from done building.