Mumbai: RIOT LABZ is an Indian Electronic Contract Manufacturing and design company founded in 2015 by visionary minds from IIT Delhi. Specializing in IoT, Consumer Electronics, and Smart Home Automation, RIOT LABZ stands as a beacon of innovation and engineering excellence. With a focus on top-quality products, they offer rapid prototyping, customized hardware configurations, and efficient firmware development. Their state-of-the-art factories ensure precision and adherence to quality standards.

RIOT LABZ has achieved significant milestones, including partnerships with industry giants like Amazon and Paytm, and has a diverse clientele including leading brands such as Google and Sony.

Through their subsidiary brand, Oakter, RIOT LABZ empowers homes with a range of innovative IoT solutions, catering to modern lifestyles with products like the Mini UPS and induction cooktops. With a commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction, RIOT LABZ continues to push boundaries and innovate for a brighter future.

Indiantelevision caught up with Riot Labz CEO Shishir Gupta highlights its defining characteristics, product offerings, growth trajectory since its inception in 2015, adaptation to market demands and technological advancements, as well as strategic partnerships that have contributed to its expansion.

Edited Excerpts

On the model of RIOT LABZ as a brand in the Indian electronics industry, and setting itself apart from competitors

RIOT LABZ stands out in the Indian electronics industry through its emphasis on innovation, engineering excellence, and a customer-centric approach. By collaborating with industry giants like Amazon Alexa and Paytm, we continually introduce cutting-edge solutions to the market, showcasing our commitment to pushing boundaries. Our rigorous product development process ensures that each offering meets the highest quality standards and exceeds customer expectations, supported by 24/7 after-sales service. With a diverse product portfolio spanning IoT, Consumer Electronics, EV Charge Points, Payment Solution Devices, Sound & Audio, and Smart Home Automation, we cater to a wide range of consumer needs, positioning ourselves as a comprehensive solution provider. Furthermore, our commitment to sustainability and responsibility, evident in our eco-friendly practices and ethical business conduct, further distinguishes us from competitors, resonating with environmentally conscious consumers and reinforcing our leadership in the industry. Importantly, we have reduced rejection rates from the industry standard of 5 per cent to an impressive 1 per cent, with an average lead time for design of 6 months, remarkably shorter than the industry standard of 9 to 12 months. This highlights our commitment to efficiency and quality in every aspect of our operations, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality products to meet customer demands.

On the offerings that RIOT LABZ provides across its various product categories and catering to the needs of consumers in different sectors

At Riot Labz, our comprehensive range of solutions spans Original Design Manufacturing (ODM), Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS), and consumer IoT products under the Oakter brand. As an ODM company, we manage end-to-end development for new products, primarily for OEM demands, while in EMS, we provide manufacturing, testing, and repair services based on OEM designs. Our Oakter brand offers consumer IoT products like Mini UPS, induction cooktops, and Smart Plugs, primarily online. Serving both B2B and B2C models, our offerings are meticulously crafted to meet diverse consumer needs. For instance, our IoT products enable remote monitoring and control, enhancing energy efficiency and convenience. Likewise, our Consumer Electronics lineup seamlessly integrates into modern lifestyles, offering enhanced functionality. Additionally, our Payment Solution Devices empower small businesses with flexible payment options, driving convenience and accessibility. With our diverse portfolio, we strive to deliver cost-effective innovative solutions that elevate the ease of living and promote sustainable growth.

On RIOT LABZ’s growth since its inception in 2015

Since our inception in 2015, RIOT LABZ has experienced remarkable growth, marked by key milestones that propelled us to the forefront of the industry. In 2016, we inaugurated our in-house electronics manufacturing facility, swiftly ascending to dominance in the Smart Plugs segment. The subsequent year marked a significant milestone as RIOT LABZ became the smart-home launch partner for Amazon Alexa in India. In 2019, our first B2B collaborations with renowned brands like Sony Bravia further solidified our market presence. In 2020, we forged a strategic partnership with the Indian Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), laying the groundwork for innovation in defence electronics. Most recently, in 2023, our recognition among 27 esteemed companies for the prestigious PLI 2.0 scheme further validates our commitment to excellence. Notably, our deal with Paytm, leading to the development of Paytm Soundbox, has been groundbreaking for Indian merchants. The device has seen rapid adoption across the country and played a vital role in empowering small and micro-businesses in India. It supports multiple languages such as English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Malayalam, Bengali, Gujarati, Punjabi, and Odia. With Paytm Soundbox, RIOT LABZ provides flexibility and convenience to merchants with support for multiple payment methods such as Paytm Wallet, Postpaid, Paytm UPI, and other BHIM UPI apps, net banking, and cards.

On RIOT LABZ adapting its offerings to meet changing market demands and technological advancements

At RIOT LABZ we have continuously adapted our offerings to meet evolving market demands and technological advancements. Through regular market research and feedback mechanisms, we stay attuned to shifting consumer preferences and emerging trends. This allows us to proactively adjust our product portfolio and development strategies to address new market needs. Additionally, our agile development processes enable rapid iteration and deployment of new features and technologies, ensuring that our products remain competitive and relevant in the fast-paced fluctuating technological market. Moreover, our strategic partnerships with leading technology firms and industry experts provide valuable insights and access to cutting-edge technologies, enabling us to stay ahead of the curve and deliver innovative solutions in a timely manner that exceed customer expectations.

On strategic partnerships or collaborations that have played a significant role in the growth and expansion of the RIOT LABZ brand

Over the years, we have strategically leveraged many partnerships to fuel our growth and expansion in the market. One notable partnership we established was with Amazon Alexa, where RIOT LABZ became the smart-home launch partner for Amazon Alexa in India. This collaboration to a great extent boosted our visibility and credibility in the smart home automation sector, allowing us to leverage Amazon’s extensive customer base and distribution network. Additionally, our partnership with the Indian Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has been instrumental in providing us with new opportunities to explore and develop cutting-edge technologies for defence applications. Furthermore, our collaboration with Paytm resulted in the development of Paytm Soundbox, which has been groundbreaking for Indian merchants, empowering small and micro-businesses with flexible payment options and multilingual support. Although we’ve had numerous other tie-ups with industry giants, these very strategic partnerships have particularly played an important role in elevating our market presence, fostering innovation, and ultimately fueling our growth and expansion journey.