Aman Gupta, the high-profile co-founder of boAt and a staple of Shark Tank India, has officially secured ₹100 crore in seed funding for his new startup, OFF/BEAT (also referred to as OffBeat Studios).
The round was led by Bessemer Venture Partners, the global venture capital powerhouse known for backing giants like LinkedIn, Shopify, and the AI leader Anthropic. The deal reportedly values the month-old startup at approximately ₹450 crore.
1. What is OFF/BEAT?
While Gupta has kept specific product details “under wraps,” the venture is being positioned as a content and creator-led platform that leverages cutting-edge technology.
- The Vision: Gupta has described the startup as “Aman 2.0,” signaling a pivot from consumer hardware (audio/wearables) to the digital economy.
- AI-First Approach: In his announcement, Gupta emphasized that the choice of Bessemer was strategic, aiming to utilize their global expertise in Artificial Intelligence to build a next-gen content ecosystem.
- Independence: OFF/BEAT is expected to operate as an independent founder-led initiative, separate from his ongoing role as a non-executive director at boAt.
2. The Strategic Partnership
Notably, Gupta remarked that the fundraise was timed with his wedding anniversary, drawing a parallel between choosing a venture partner and a life partner.
“I didn’t raise capital because I needed the cheque. I raised it because Bessemer’s partners bring speed, credibility, network, and strategic support that money alone cannot buy.” — Aman Gupta, April 7, 2026
3. Context: The boAt Transition
The launch of OFF/BEAT comes at a pivotal moment for Gupta’s first multi-billion dollar venture, boAt.
- Leadership Shift: Gupta transitioned to a non-executive role on boAt’s board in late 2025 to make room for a more professional management structure, including new CEO Gaurav Nayyar.
- IPO Ambitions: The funding for his new startup arrives just as boAt (Imagine Marketing) has reportedly received SEBI approval for its second attempt at a ₹13,000 crore IPO.
- Corporate Governance: Moving to a non-executive role and launching a separate venture is seen by analysts as a way to provide transparency to potential public market investors about who will lead boAt post-listing.
4. Why Investors are Biting
The ₹100 crore seed round—massive by Indian standards for a company without a public product—is a testament to the “founder premium.”
- Execution Track Record: Gupta helped scale boAt from a fledgling startup to a brand with over ₹3,000 crore in revenue and a profitable bottom line.
- Marketing Genius: His ability to build “cult-like” brands among Indian Gen-Z and Millennials is a highly transferable skill for a creator-led platform.
- Personal Brand: His visibility through Shark Tank India and his portfolio of over 100 angel investments have made him one of the most recognizable faces in the Indian ecosystem.
5. Future Outlook
OFF/BEAT is expected to reveal its first suite of products or platform features by mid-2026. With Bessemer’s backing, many expect the startup to integrate sophisticated AI tools for creators, potentially competing with global platforms like Patreon or specialized AI content houses.
“Having built from scratch before, I know what capital can do and what it cannot,” Gupta noted. “This time, I’m building for where the future lies.”