From Small Trading to Global Reach How Aashish Kumbhat Built a 100 Crore Smartwatch Brand

What began as a modest trading effort has now evolved into a fast growing consumer tech brand with international presence. Aashish Kumbhat, the mind behind Urban, has turned a small scale operation into a company approaching a 100 crore turnover, with products reaching markets as far as the United States.

Interestingly, the company’s strongest revenue driver continues to be smart wearables. Even as the broader industry faces fluctuations, smartwatches contribute nearly half of Urban’s total earnings. The brand has also seen encouraging traction in home audio and personal audio segments, which were introduced more recently.

Urban’s journey into the spotlight started with a clear understanding of a gap in the market. At a time when affordable and reliable smartwatches were rare, the company launched entry level calling watches that quickly gained popularity. Early models under the Urban name helped establish credibility among consumers looking for feature rich devices at competitive prices.

However, the story behind the success is far from easy. Coming from a financially constrained background, Kumbhat began his journey during his engineering days, when resources were limited and risks were high. With determination, he arranged a small amount to secure a retail space and started building trust through consistent quality. In the early days, the business relied heavily on sourcing products from different city markets and reselling them while maintaining strict quality checks.

Over time, the company shifted focus from trading to product development. This transition proved to be a turning point. By closely tracking consumer demand and introducing new features ahead of competitors, Urban managed to build a loyal customer base. The strategy was simple but effective offer better features at a lower price without compromising on quality.

Today, Urban operates in more than 15 product categories including wearables, audio devices, power accessories and even portable appliances. The brand has built a strong distribution network with thousands of retail touchpoints across India and partnerships with major retail chains. Its presence is particularly strong in southern markets, while expansion in northern regions is currently underway with new offices and dedicated sales teams.

Competition from global brands such as Xiaomi and OnePlus remains intense, but Urban has carved its niche by focusing on affordability and feature rich offerings. According to the company, delivering more value at a fraction of the price has helped it stand out in a crowded market.

Beyond India, Urban has also expanded its footprint to countries like Sri Lanka and Nepal, along with exports to the United States. This international push marks a significant milestone for a brand that started with limited means and local ambitions.

Looking ahead, the company is exploring new categories in consumer durables and strengthening its position in the power accessories segment. There are also early discussions around a potential public listing, as the company aims to scale further in the coming years.

Kumbhat believes that while government initiatives have supported manufacturing and assembly, India still needs a stronger supplier ecosystem to reduce dependency on imports. He points out that access to local component networks would significantly ease operations and improve efficiency.

From selling imported goods in small batches to building a diversified tech brand, Urban’s rise reflects the changing dynamics of India’s startup ecosystem. It is a story driven by persistence, calculated risks and a deep understanding of what consumers truly want in everyday technology.