Journey of Sangeet Kumar: Founder and CEO of Addverb Technologies -Entrepreneur
Biography of Sangeet Kumar:
Humble Beginnings at Sainik School
Sangeet Kumar’s story starts with strong roots in discipline and leadership,
nurtured at Sainik School Tilaiya. It was here that the seeds of ambition and
technical curiosity were first sown in a young boy who would later become one
of India’s most influential figures in robotics and automation.
Engineering Dreams at IIT Kharagpur
Sangeet took a major leap toward his dreams by enrolling in the prestigious
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur. There, he studied Chemical
Engineering from 1998 to 2002, building a strong foundation in problem-solving,
process design, and innovation that would shape his future career.
Ground-Level Experience in Manufacturing
Post-IIT, Sangeet spent over a decade working in the FMCG, petrochemical,
paint, and chemical sectors. He developed hands-on expertise in greenfield and
brownfield projects and managed factory operations from production to
engineering to EHS (Environment, Health, and Safety). His exposure to
automation technologies like DCS, MES, ASRS, and robotics deepened his
understanding of efficient manufacturing systems.
Leading Asian Paints Through Crisis
In 2015, Sangeet took on the challenging role of General Works Manager at Asian
Paints’ Chennai plant. The facility was under a labor strike when he stepped
in. With determination and people-first leadership, he successfully turned
around operations, bringing harmony and productivity back to the factory floor.
The Birth of Addverb
In June 2016, driven by a desire to transform India's warehousing and
manufacturing sector through automation, Sangeet co-founded Addverb along with
Prateek Jain, Satish Shukla, and Bir Singh. Each co-founder brought years of
experience from reputed companies like GAIL, ITC, Infosys, and Asian Paints,
creating a strong leadership team.
Building the Future with Robotics
Addverb began operations in Noida with a vision to revolutionize
intralogistics. In its early years, the company developed cutting-edge robotics
and automation products like mobile robots, ASRS systems, and warehouse
management software. The startup gained early traction by delivering
intelligent solutions for big brands like Lenskart and HUL, boosting order
fulfillment and warehouse efficiency.
Journey of Sangeet Kumar: Founder and CEO of Addverb Technologies -Entrepreneur#age#net worth#investor#shark tank#Addverb Technologies story
First Big Break – Partnership with Jiomart
A turning point came when Addverb beat 20 competitors to win a major contract
from Jiomart, designing seven fully automated warehouses. This achievement not
only strengthened their reputation but also positioned them as a top player in
India’s warehouse automation space.
Going Global and Expanding Reach
Addverb expanded rapidly, opening offices in the US, Netherlands, UAE,
Australia, Germany, and Singapore, and setting up research hubs in India and
the US. The company diversified its product range and began servicing not just
factories and warehouses, but also hospitals and airports using technologies
like AI, IoT, and machine learning.
Big Backing from Big Players
In 2022, Addverb received a massive investment of $132 million from Reliance
Industries, giving the conglomerate a 54% stake. The move validated Addverb’s
potential and opened doors to larger global opportunities. Earlier, Mr. Jalaj
Dani had invested $11 million, and GAIL India supported the startup in its
first year with $85,000.
Milestone Projects with Global Brands
Sangeet and team transformed key operations across major brands. They helped
PepsiCo build its 4th largest and sustainable plant in India, enabled Ajio to
process 30,000 reverse logistics orders per hour, automated Lenskart’s supply
chain, and helped HUL serve 28,000 Kirana stores in just 24 hours—highlighting
Addverb’s impact across industries.
World’s Largest Mobile Robot Facility
Addverb unveiled its second manufacturing plant, which became the world’s
largest mobile robot production facility, capable of manufacturing 1,00,000
robots per year. With over 800 employees and ₹450 crore in revenue for FY
2022–23, the company solidified its dominance in the automation space.
The Vision for a Balanced Global Footprint
Currently, 80% of Addverb’s revenue comes from India and 20% from international
markets. Sangeet has set a bold target to shift this ratio to 50:50 over the
next five years, focusing on scaling globally while maintaining a strong base
in India.
Innovation, Inclusion, and the Road Ahead
Looking forward, Addverb plans to establish a dedicated innovation lab and
continue developing technologies that are accessible, safe, and scalable. Their
language-agnostic voice-picking systems support 14 Indian languages, ensuring
inclusion and safety. With Reliance by their side and a deep commitment to
sustainability and R&D, Sangeet Kumar’s Addverb is poised to become a
global leader in robotic automation.
Timeline Recap:
- Pre-1998:
Early education at Sainik School Tilaiya
- 1998–2002:
B.Tech in Chemical Engineering at IIT Kharagpur
- 2002–2015:
Industrial experience in FMCG, petrochemical, and automation
- 2015–2016:
Crisis leadership at Asian Paints
- 2016:
Co-founding Addverb in Noida
- 2016–2019:
Early growth and solutions for major Indian clients
- 2019:
Breakthrough Jiomart contract
- 2020–2021:
Global expansion and diversification
- 2022:
Reliance investment and major brand collaborations
- 2023:
Launch of world’s largest mobile robot plant
- 2023–2025:
Aiming for global market balance and innovation leadership
- Beyond
2025: Continued focus on R&D, inclusion, and sustainability