Summary
- OffBeat Studios secures ₹100 crore in seed funding from Bessemer Venture Partners, one of the world’s top VC firms
- OffBeat Studios founder Aman Gupta cites AI and global strategic support as the core reasons behind the Bessemer partnership
- boAt’s IPO push accelerates under new CEO Gaurav Nayyar, targeting a valuation of ₹13,000 crore
OffBeat Studios, the newly unveiled venture by boAt co-founder Aman Gupta, has raised ₹100 crore in seed funding led by Bessemer Venture Partners – one of the most storied VC firms in the world. The announcement, made just a month after OffBeat Studios was publicly revealed, is already turning heads across India’s startup ecosystem.
This is not just another funding round. When a founder with Aman Gupta’s track record picks a firm like Bessemer – the backers behind Anthropic, Shopify, Canva, and LinkedIn – over a simple cheque, people listen.
Why Did Aman Gupta Choose Bessemer Over a Bigger Cheque?
The announcement wasn’t without personal flair. Gupta shared the news on LinkedIn on his wedding anniversary, drawing an unusual and memorable analogy: “Taking on an investor is like choosing a life partner. You need to get it right. You will live with them through the highs and the lows.”
He was candid about the reasoning. Having already built boAt from zero to a market-leading consumer electronics brand, Gupta says he wasn’t chasing capital for its own sake. “I didn’t raise capital because I needed the cheque,” he wrote. “I raised it because Anant, Vishal, and Bessemer’s partners across the world bring speed, credibility, network, and strategic support that money alone cannot buy.“
The reference to AI was pointed. Gupta specifically called out technology and AI as the lens through which OffBeat Studios will operate – signalling that this is not just another consumer brand play.
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What Exactly Is OffBeat Studios?
That’s the question everyone is asking – and the answer remains deliberately incomplete.
Aman Gupta first announced OffBeat Studios on 3 March 2026, marking a new chapter after transitioning to a non-executive role at boAt. The venture’s branding features a stylised “OFF/BEAT” logo. Beyond that, Gupta has not publicly disclosed the sector, business model, team composition, or launch timeline.
What is clear is the strategic direction. The emphasis on AI, a globally connected VC partner, and Gupta’s own pivot away from day-to-day operations at boAt all point to something more ambitious than a consumer hardware sequel.
It also remains unclear whether OffBeat Studios will have any association with boAt’s ecosystem or function as a fully independent venture.
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Bessemer Venture Partners – Why This Investor Matters
Not all seed cheques are equal. Bessemer Venture Partners has a global portfolio that reads like a Silicon Valley Hall of Fame – Anthropic, Shopify, Canva, LinkedIn, Twitch, and Pinterest all have Bessemer’s fingerprints.
For an Indian founder, landing Bessemer as a seed-stage backer carries serious weight. The firm brings not just capital but global distribution, strategic credibility, and a deep bench of operator networks – precisely what Gupta says he was looking for.
As Startup INDIAX reported earlier this year, the Indian startup ecosystem is increasingly seeing global tier-1 VCs double down on India-first founders with regional scale ambitions. Bessemer’s participation in OffBeat Studios fits neatly into that trend.
The ₹100 crore seed raise is one of the larger seed rounds in recent memory for a pre-product-disclosure Indian startup, reflecting the premium placed on Gupta’s founder brand equity and execution track record.
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Leadership Shake-Up at boAt and the Long-Awaited IPO
While Gupta builds his next act, boAt itself is going through a significant internal transition.
Co-founder Sameer Mehta has moved into an executive director role. Meanwhile, Gaurav Nayyar, former Chief Operating Officer, has stepped in as the new CEO – marking the first time an outside professional leads the brand at the operational level.
These changes arrive as Imagine Marketing, boAt’s parent company, has secured approval from SEBI for its long-anticipated IPO. The Warburg Pincus-backed firm reportedly eyes a valuation of around ₹13,000 crore – a significant jump from earlier estimates.
This is actually boAt’s second crack at going public. The company first filed draft IPO papers in January 2022, targeting a ₹2,000 crore raise. That effort was eventually shelved. The revised plan reportedly aims to raise ₹1,500 crore, split between ₹500 crore in fresh equity and ₹1,000 crore through an offer for sale by existing investors.
The timing of Gupta’s exit to a non-executive role – right before a public listing attempt – is notable. Founders stepping back from executive functions ahead of an IPO is a common institutional signal of maturing governance.
Netizens React
The announcement triggered a wave of responses online, with founders, investors, and fans all weighing in.
One user wrote, “Aman Gupta raising seed funding from Bessemer is the most ‘Shark Tank India judge’ plot twist ever. From the other side of the table to being the one pitching!“
Another commenter noted, “The wedding anniversary timing was genius PR. Whether intentional or not, it dominated my entire feed. Guy knows marketing.“
A more skeptical voice added, “Until we know what OffBeat Studios actually does, this is mostly founder-brand fundraising. But if anyone can pull it off on vibes alone, it’s probably him.“
The thread on LinkedIn alone reportedly crossed thousands of reactions within hours of the post going live.
What do you think about OffBeat Studios and Aman Gupta’s bold new bet? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, and share this with a fellow founder who needs to know. Discover more stories shaping India’s startup future on Startup INDIAX.
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FAQs
What is OffBeat Studios?
OffBeat Studios is a new venture founded by boAt co-founder Aman Gupta, announced in March 2026. The company’s sector and business model have not yet been publicly disclosed.
How much funding did OffBeat Studios raise?
OffBeat Studios raised ₹100 crore in seed funding, led by Bessemer Venture Partners – the global VC firm behind Anthropic, Shopify, and Canva.
Who is leading Bessemer’s investment in OffBeat Studios?
Bessemer’s investment in OffBeat Studios involves partners Anant and Vishal, as referenced by Aman Gupta in his LinkedIn announcement, along with Bessemer’s global partner network.
What is Aman Gupta’s current role at boAt?
Aman Gupta has transitioned to a non-executive board role at boAt, stepping back from day-to-day operations as the company prepares for its IPO under new CEO Gaurav Nayyar.
Is boAt planning an IPO in 2025?
Yes, boAt’s parent company Imagine Marketing has received SEBI approval for an IPO, targeting a valuation of approximately ₹13,000 crore. The company is backed by Warburg Pincus and previously attempted a public listing in 2022.