Biography of Abhishek Baheti: Founder and CEO of WatchOut Wearables-Entrepreneur
Biography of Abhishek Baheti:
Abhishek Baheti’s journey to becoming the founder of
WatchOut Wearables began with a life-altering tragedy. Growing up in a modest
home in Mumbai’s Kalbadevi district, his life was shattered when a massive fire
engulfed his family’s home. In this tragic incident, Abhishek lost his beloved
niece and his elder brother. His niece’s death, in particular, deeply affected
him, as she had been unable to reach help in time due to the lack of a means to
communicate during the emergency. This experience planted the seed for
Abhishek’s future entrepreneurial venture.
Early Struggles and Academic Success
Despite the personal hardships, Abhishek pushed through his
academic challenges. After relocating to Surat, he excelled in his studies,
eventually topping his university in Chemical Engineering and earning a gold
medal. His passion for creating something meaningful and his desire to solve
real-world problems, especially for children and senior citizens, grew
stronger. This determination would later shape the foundation of his startup,
WatchOut Wearables.
A Shift from Engineering to Entrepreneurship
After completing his engineering degree, Abhishek worked in
corporate jobs for a while but always felt a pull towards entrepreneurship. His
passion for technology and problem-solving was a driving force in this shift.
During these years, he focused on developing the idea for a product that would
help protect vulnerable people, like children and elderly, in emergencies,
inspired by the tragic incident that had affected his life.
The Birth of WatchOut Wearables
In 2021, Abhishek took a leap of faith and founded WatchOut
Wearables with a capital investment of Rs. 10 lakh. His vision was to create a
unique product: a smartwatch designed specifically for children and senior
citizens. The smartwatch would not only help in tracking location via GPS but
also serve as a device for emergency communication and safety. The idea was
revolutionary, aiming to create peace of mind for parents and caregivers alike.
The Struggles of a New Startup
Like many startups, WatchOut Wearables faced early
challenges. The company lacked brand recognition, and the production costs were
high. Many potential customers and investors were skeptical about the product.
Despite these hurdles, Abhishek and his team remained focused on their mission
and believed that the safety features in their smartwatch were worth the
investment.
Embracing Digital Marketing and Influencers
Rather than relying on traditional angel investors,
Abhishek’s team took an innovative approach to gain attention. They turned to
social media influencers, individuals with large followings, and asked them to
review their products. This strategy proved to be successful, as positive
reviews from influencers gave the startup the visibility it desperately needed.
The brand began to attract attention, and sales began to grow steadily.
The Unique Features of WatchOut Wearables
What set WatchOut Wearables apart from other smartwatches in
the market was the independence of the device. Unlike most smartwatches that
require a phone to function, the WatchOut smartwatches were self-contained,
equipped with features such as GPS tracking, a 4G calling facility, an
emergency SOS button, and an anti-theft sensor. These features made it an ideal
solution for keeping children and seniors safe, providing a direct and reliable
line of communication in case of an emergency.
Breaking Through with Shark Tank India
In 2022, WatchOut Wearables gained widespread attention when
it appeared on the popular TV show Shark Tank India. Abhishek pitched his
business to the sharks, asking for a ₹2 crore investment for 5% equity at a ₹40
crore valuation. The pitch was a turning point for the company, as it attracted
the attention of two prominent investors, Anupam Mittal and Vineeta Singh, who
made an offer to invest ₹1 crore for 10% equity and another ₹1 crore in debt at
a 15% interest rate.
Biography of Abhishek Baheti: Founder and CEO of WatchOut Wearables-Entrepreneur/age/net worth/investor/startup/smartwatches/Abhishek B story
Securing the Deal and Building the Brand
After some negotiations, Abhishek and the sharks settled on
a deal: ₹1 crore for 10% equity and ₹1 crore in debt at a 15% interest rate.
This deal valued WatchOut Wearables at ₹10 crore. The appearance on Shark Tank
provided the company with much-needed exposure and credibility, while the
funding allowed them to scale up operations and refine their product. The
startup began to gain momentum and was on its way to becoming a significant
player in the wearable tech market.
Expanding the Product Line for Different Needs
With the initial success of their smartwatch for kids,
WatchOut Wearables began working on an even broader product range. The company
expanded into designing wearables for senior citizens, with features like fall
detection, temperature measurement, and emergency alerts. This development
catered to a growing market of caregivers and families concerned with the
well-being of elderly relatives, making WatchOut a brand that served multiple
generations.
The Vision for WatchOut Wearables
Abhishek’s vision for WatchOut Wearables extended beyond
simply creating a product; he aimed to create a brand that was synonymous with
safety and innovation. The company’s mission was clear: to provide smart,
connected wearables that could make lives easier and safer for both children
and elderly individuals. This vision not only helped in driving product
development but also in creating a strong brand identity that resonated with
customers.
The Impact of Technology on Parenting
As a parent himself, Abhishek understood the challenges of
raising children in a world full of uncertainties. WatchOut Wearables became a
solution that not only helped parents track their children’s location but also
kept them connected, even from a distance. With the ability to make video
calls, track real-time GPS location, and provide an instant line of
communication, the smartwatch gave parents greater peace of mind.
A Growing Market with Potential
The market for smartwatches, especially those catering to
children and seniors, was growing rapidly. Abhishek saw immense potential for
his product in India, a country with a huge population of both young children
and elderly individuals. As the demand for wearables with safety features grew,
WatchOut Wearables positioned itself as a leading player in this space,
continuously innovating to meet customer needs.
Personal Growth and Learning
Abhishek’s entrepreneurial journey was not without its
challenges, but it provided him with valuable lessons along the way. He learned
the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and seeking new avenues for
growth. His journey emphasized that success is not just about reaching the end
goal but also about valuing the lessons learned during the process. This
mindset allowed him to build a company that was resilient and prepared for the
future.
Future Aspirations: A Safer Tomorrow
Looking ahead, Abhishek remains focused on the mission of
WatchOut Wearables: to provide innovative safety solutions for children and
seniors. With plans for continued expansion and new product developments, the
company aims to reach more families across India and beyond. Abhishek’s story
is a testament to the power of turning personal tragedy into a catalyst for
positive change, with WatchOut Wearables standing as a symbol of that
transformation.
A timeline for Abhishek Baheti's journey:
Early 2000s: Tragic Loss – Abhishek loses his niece and
elder brother in a fire, sparking his desire to create safety solutions.
Late 2000s: Academic Success – Abhishek excels in Chemical
Engineering and wins a gold medal at university.
2010s: Shift to Entrepreneurship – After working in
corporate jobs, Abhishek decides to pursue entrepreneurship.
2021: Founding WatchOut Wearables – Abhishek establishes
WatchOut Wearables with ₹10 lakh to create safety-focused smartwatches.
2021: Early Struggles – The company faces high production
costs and low brand recognition.
2021: Digital Marketing Breakthrough – WatchOut begins using
influencers for brand visibility and sales growth.
2022: Shark Tank Appearance – Abhishek pitches on Shark Tank
India, securing ₹2 crore in investment for 10% equity.
2022: Securing the Deal – Finalized deal with sharks for ₹1
crore equity investment and ₹1 crore in debt.
2022 Onwards: Expansion – The company expands into wearables
for senior citizens, adding new safety features.
2023: Impact on Parenting – WatchOut’s smartwatches help
parents track and communicate with their children.
2024: Growing Market – WatchOut Wearables positions itself
as a leading player in the growing safety wearables market.
Future: Expansion Plans – Abhishek aims to expand and
innovate further, ensuring safety for children and seniors worldwide.
