Two entrepreneurs started a consumer wearable brand using personal savings - competes with boAt, Noise, and hits revenue Rs 100 Cr in FY23.

In the rapidly growing Indian wearables market, World of Play is a consumer wearables brand that stands out.

Founded in 2019 by co-founders Vikas Jain and Sandeep Banga, the Gurugram-based brand offers a range of products in wearable devices and TWS (True Wireless Stereo) categories. 

With a presence in approximately 45,000 retail stores across India, World of Play has quickly become a household name in the Indian wearables market.

Addressing the Gap in the Indian Wearables Market

Vikas Jain and Sandeep Banga, co-founders of World of Play, studied engineering together in the US during the late 1990s. 

After years of being out of touch, they reconnected in 2019 to discuss the mobile ecosystem in India. They noticed that global brands entering the market were not meeting the needs of Indian consumers.

To address this gap, Jain and Banga decided to create a company that would produce wearables tailored specifically to the needs of Indian consumers. They invested an undisclosed amount from their personal savings to start the company and bring differentiation to the market.

Tailored Products for Indian Consumers

Today, World of Play focuses on producing wearables tailored to the needs of Indian consumers. Its diverse range of products includes 30 wearable devices and TWS products. 

The Playfit series comprises smartwatches and fitness bands, while the Playgo range features wireless neckbands, earbuds, and wireless speakers. 

The brand's smartwatches account for more than 50% of its total revenue, which speaks to the increasing demand for wearables in India.

Product Design and Data Privacy

World of Play has a 50-member team, with a strong emphasis on product design for its audio devices, including its sound signature called EBEL. The company also focuses strongly on data privacy and data protection, with data stored on highly secure servers in India.

Retail Presence and Sales Channels

The company initially sold its products in offline stores but now makes 98% of its sales from retail stores, with its products sold in over 45,000 outlets across India. It also sells through its own website and e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart. 

According to Your Story, in FY23, World of Play hit the revenue mark of Rupees 100 crore.

Future Plans

In the future, the startup brand plans to double its retail footprint. It is also in the process of integrating third-party APIs into its products to develop new features.

In a market where global brands have dominated, World of Play has carved out a unique space with its focus on meeting the specific needs of Indian consumers. 

By creating a brand that offers products tailored to local consumers, World of Play has quickly become a go-to brand in India's wearables market. 

With its emphasis on product design, data privacy, and protection, World of Play is poised for further growth and success in the future.

FAQ

1.Who are the founders of World of Play?

World of Play was founded by Vikas Jain and Sandeep Banga in 2019. Both co-founders studied engineering together in the US during the late 1990s and reconnected in 2019 to address the gap in the Indian mobile ecosystem.

2. What products does World of Play offer?

World of Play offers a diverse range of wearables tailored to Indian consumers. Their product lineup includes 30 wearable devices and TWS (True Wireless Stereo) products. The Playfit series encompasses smartwatches and fitness bands, while the Playgo range includes wireless neckbands, earbuds, and wireless speakers.

3. How is World of Play different from other brands?

World of Play stands out by focusing on producing wearables specifically designed to meet the needs of Indian consumers. Unlike global brands that may not cater to these specific preferences, World of Play's emphasis on tailoring products for the local market sets it apart. Additionally, the brand prioritizes product design, data privacy, and protection, storing data on secure servers in India.

4. What is the revenue of World of Play?

As per reports from Your Story, in FY23, World of Play achieved a revenue milestone of Rupees 100 crore. This signifies the brand's rapid growth and increasing success in the Indian wearables market.