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Entrepreneur
07-06-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
From Charging Phones to Powering Homes: How Ambrane Became a INR 260 Cr Bootstrapped Electronics Brand
"One day, I was in the metro carrying a power bank. A man saw it and asked, 'What are you doing with this gadget?' I said, 'I'm charging my phone.' He asked, 'Will it charge mine too?' That's when it hit me that we were solving a real problem people hadn't even named yet," says Ashok Rajpal, Founder and Director, Ambrane Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. In 2012, when mobile phones were becoming smarter and India was just stepping into its digital journey, a young brand called Ambrane quietly took root. Its mission was simple—make smart technology accessible and affordable for every Indian household. "We saw a big shift happening," recalls Ashutosh Rajpal, Founder and Director, Ambrane. "Technology was moving fast from IT to mobility, and smartphone penetration was rising. That's when we realised the need for compact and convenient gadgets like power banks, tablets, and routers." That vision was soon translated into action. Long before the 'Make in India' initiative was officially launched in 2014, Ambrane had already set up its own manufacturing unit. "We wanted to try innovations in-house not just to build better products, but also to create more jobs and income for our country," Rajpal shares. Charging Ahead in a New Market Launching a new tech product in India wasn't easy. In 2012, the concept of a power bank was still foreign to most people. "One day, I was in the metro carrying a power bank. A man saw it and asked, 'What are you doing with this gadget?' I said, 'I'm charging my phone.' He replied, 'Will it charge mine too?' That's when it hit me that we were solving a real problem people hadn't even named yet." Rajpal remembers the biggest initial challenge for his company was distribution. "At that time, most businesses relied on traditional distribution channels, which were hard for a new brand like ours. But e-commerce gave us a lifeline, it allowed us to reach consumers directly and educate them about our products." Today, Ambrane is one of India's top-selling electronics brands, especially in the charging and mobility segment. With products across power banks, smart plugs, grooming tools, audio devices, and smart home appliances, the brand has grown far beyond its early offerings. "We're present almost everywhere now, from D2C on our website, Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit, and also in offline distribution and B2B channels," says Rajpal. "More than 60 per cent of our business comes from e-commerce and quick-commerce platforms." The focus of the brand is clear: reach more Indian households, especially in smaller cities. "We've built a strong base in major cities, but now we're expanding rapidly into tier 2, 3, and 4 markets. Our goal is to reach deep into India." Homes, AI & Global Play Ambrane isn't just sticking to its roots but evolving. The brand has already entered the smart home category with products like air purifiers and vacuum cleaners. "Yes, we've started launching smart home appliances, and the response has been great. We're planning to go big in that space," Rajpal confirms. While commenting on the AI integration, Rajpal says, "Right now, our focus is on appliances, but we know that technology is evolving fast. We've already worked on smart plugs years ago, and we're planning more AI-enabled products soon." With a strong domestic base and an annual turnover of INR 260 crore, Ambrane is now eyeing international markets. "Last year, we started working with some global partners. This year, we're focusing on Eastern markets and participating in events like GITEX in Dubai. Next year, we're heading to CES," says Rajpal. Despite this growth, Ambrane has stayed completely bootstrapped, with over 600 employees, including manufacturing staff. "We haven't raised any external funding yet. But now we're open—if the right opportunity comes, we'll consider it to help us grow faster." Lessons for the next-gen entrepreneurs When asked what advice he'd give to young entrepreneurs, Ashutosh keeps it real, "You have to listen, learn, and act. Understand the market deeply and know your consumers. Presentation matters, a good product alone is not enough if people don't know about it. And above all, quality is key." As for the future of D2C and AI, he believes data will lead the way. "In the age of AI, data is everything. If you understand it well, you can solve real problems. Use AI for smarter marketing, better systems, and even product innovation," he concludes. Quick Facts
Travel Daily News
06-06-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Zaplox secures first agreement for new produ
At the beginning of 2025, Zaplox announced the launch of a new product that enables hotels to offer their guests a seamless digital journey – without requiring them to download an app. The first agreement has now been signed with Google . Zaplox has signed an agreement with Google for its short-term employee accommodations. The agreement covers the Zaplox Web App, which allows guests to manage check-in and check-out, make payments, and get mobile keys directly into their digital wallets – without downloading a mobile app. 'Zaplox has had the privilege of partnering with Google since 2022, including on mobile keys in Google Wallet. We are, of course, very proud that Google is now our first customer to offer our Zaplox Web App to their guests. This not only confirms that we continue to be at the forefront of technology, but also that our existing customers have growing confidence in us,' says Tess Mattisson, President and CEO of Zaplox. The Zaplox Web App is a web-based solution for check-in and check-out, payments, and digital wallet keys. The design is customized to match each hotel's brand and is suitable for hotels with wallet-compatible locks. 'As a growth company, being able to secure agreements for new products so soon after launch is an important confirmation that our development strategy – focused on customer needs – is the right one, and that we are investing in products and services that have a direct impact on our revenue,' Mattisson concludes.
Entrepreneur
08-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
PM Modi's Bold Vision and Resolve Transformed India From Digital Follower to Global Digital Leader: Scindia
Scindia described the nation's digital journey as nothing short of revolutionary, noting that in just 22 months, India has connected 99 per cent of its villages with 5G and brought 82 per cent of the population onto the network by deploying 470,000 telecom towers. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, emphasized that the country is no longer following global digital trends but setting them. He stressed that India's progress in the sector goes far beyond connectivity. "This digital highway we have built across India is not merely about communication — it is the infrastructure of infrastructure, empowering 1.4 billion citizens with access to healthcare, education, governance, and economic opportunity," he said. "It is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bold vision and unwavering resolve that have transformed India from a digital follower into a global digital leader — turning aspirations into infrastructure, and policy into progress," said Scindia. He described the nation's digital journey as nothing short of revolutionary, noting that in just 22 months, India has connected 99 per cent of its villages with 5G and brought 82 per cent of the population onto the network by deploying 470,000 telecom towers. He added that every step India takes in telecom infrastructure is a step toward a more connected and inclusive future. "We're not just connecting villages; we're connecting futures. Every tower we raise, every byte we transmit, brings 1.4 billion people closer to opportunity." Minister of State for Communications, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, echoed this sentiment, highlighting that India is no longer just participating in the global telecom conversation but actively shaping it. "Today, India stands ready not merely as a market or consumer but as a creator, partner and trusted provider of world-class telecom solutions," he said. Dr. Sekhar credited the transformation to the Digital India initiative and a suite of progressive policies. He pointed to the success of the production-linked incentive scheme, advanced spectrum management, and the Telecom Technology Development Fund in accelerating domestic manufacturing and exports. Notably, he shared that India now contributes to 15 per cent of global iPhone production, marking its growing role in global supply chains. Looking ahead, he outlined India's commitment to leading in emerging areas such as 6G technology, satellite broadband, and quantum communications—efforts aimed at securing digital sovereignty and extending India's influence in next-generation telecom innovation. The dignitaries were speaking at the Bharat Telecom 2025 conference in Delhi.
