In an interview with Shishir Gupta, CEO & Co-Founder of Oakter, TimesTech explores how the brand is shaping India’s smart living landscape through thoughtful engineering, affordability, and a deep understanding of local needs. Shishir discusses Oakter’s unified product experience, user-driven innovation, manufacturing strength in Noida, and the company’s mission to build reliable, homegrown smart technology that seamlessly integrates into Indian households.
Read the full interview here:
TimesTech: Oakter offers a wide range of smart products. How does the brand ensure a consistent user experience across categories like chargers, power banks, and Studio ACs?
Shishir: At Oakter we put a lot of thought into developing products which are best suited for the Indian market. Also we make sure that every product delivers the same sense of ease, reliability, and smart design. Whether someone is using our Studio AC, a GaN charger, or a power bank, the experience should feel seamless and familiar. Our in-house design and engineering teams work hand in hand to maintain a common design language and ensure that performance, aesthetics, and usability remain consistent. Every product goes through multiple rounds of testing and user validation so we can keep improving based on real feedback. Because we manage everything under one roof at our Noida facilities, from concept to large-scale manufacturing, we can maintain strict quality control and precision. This integrated approach allows us to create products that feel connected, dependable, and thoughtfully designed, giving users confidence that every Oakter product will simply work and make their everyday life easier.
TimesTech: What’s Oakter’s core vision for the future of smart home and connected living in India?
Shishir: Oakter’s vision for the future of smart home and connected living in India is to make intelligent technology accessible, practical, and deeply relevant to Indian households. The goal is not just to add connectivity to devices but to create meaningful products that simplify everyday life while being reliable and affordable. India has unique challenges in power, infrastructure, and user diversity, and our focus is to design solutions that address those realities rather than replicate global models. As connectivity becomes part of every home, Oakter aims to lead this transformation with products that blend engineering excellence, thoughtful design, and sustainable innovation. The long-term vision is to see Indian homes operate seamlessly through technology that feels natural and empowering, where every appliance communicates effortlessly and enhances comfort, energy efficiency, and convenience. Oakter wants to build a future where smart living becomes a trusted, inclusive, and homegrown experience for everyone.
TimesTech: How does the company balance innovation with affordability, especially in a price-sensitive market like India?
Shishir: We see innovation and affordability as inseparable parts of the same mission to make smart technology truly accessible. Every product at Oakter is designed with efficiency, practicality, and long-term value in mind. We manage the entire process in-house at our Noida facilities, which allows us to control quality, materials, and production costs while maintaining high standards. Local sourcing, automation, and smart engineering choices help us keep prices competitive without compromising performance. We constantly refine our products based on feedback from users to ensure that innovation always solves real needs instead of adding unnecessary complexity. This mindset helps us create devices that are advanced yet affordable, durable yet elegant. Our goal is to prove that Indian engineering can deliver world-class technology at the right price while staying deeply connected to the realities of our market and the aspirations of our users.
TimesTech: Can you share how customer feedback or data influences product upgrades or new launches?
Shishir: We treat customer feedback as one of the most valuable inputs in our entire product cycle. Every review, service query, or usage insight helps us understand how people interact with our products and where improvements are needed. Our teams continuously analyze this data to identify patterns and refine design, performance, or usability features before the next production run. Many of our product upgrades, such as enhancements in the Mini UPS, have come directly from user suggestions and real-world use cases. We also engage with communities through social platforms and customer support channels to validate new ideas before large-scale launches. This constant loop of listening, learning, and improving keeps our innovation grounded in actual needs. It ensures that every Oakter product, whether a new category or an evolved version, reflects what users truly want while maintaining our promise of reliability and smart functionality.
TimesTech: What are the biggest challenges Oakter faces competing with global consumer tech brands in the Indian market?
Shishir: Competing with global consumer tech brands in India brings both challenges and opportunities for Oakter. The biggest hurdle lies in matching the marketing muscle that established international brands enjoy. However, the Indian market operates very differently, and that is where Oakter finds its strength. We focus on designing India-specific products that address local needs, power conditions, and consumer behavior, something most global brands overlook. Another challenge is managing cost efficiency while maintaining world-class quality, especially when competing with imported products that benefit from economies of scale. Our advantage comes from complete control over design and manufacturing within India, allowing us to respond faster, customize better, and price more effectively. Building brand trust and visibility in a cluttered market takes time, but we see it as a long-term investment in creating a strong homegrown brand that stands shoulder to shoulder with global players.
TimesTech: With Noida as your base, how does location influence your manufacturing, R&D, or supply chain strategy?
Shishir: Being based in Noida gives Oakter a strong strategic advantage across manufacturing, R&D, and supply chain operations. The region has evolved into one of India’s most dynamic electronics and industrial hubs, offering access to a skilled workforce, advanced infrastructure, and proximity to major logistics networks. Our three factories spread over 200,000 square feet are equipped with 25 fully automated assembly lines and a Class 10,000 clean room, enabling high-precision production at scale. This setup allows close coordination between manufacturing and development teams, helping maintain stringent quality standards and efficient product development cycles. The location also supports faster sourcing of components and seamless collaboration with suppliers across North India. Having such an integrated ecosystem in one place reduces costs, improves operational efficiency, and enhances responsiveness to market demands.
