The Rise of Livspace Story: Ramakant Sharma and Anuj Srivastava -Entrepreneur
Livspace Story
The Spark of an Idea
It all began when college friends Ramakant Sharma and Anuj Srivastava set out
to design their own homes. But what should have been a joyful experience turned
frustrating. The process was full of problems disorganized professionals, poor
coordination, unpredictable pricing, and no quality assurance. They saw that
homeowners everywhere were facing the same issues. This realization sparked a
powerful idea to revolutionize the home interiors industry and make it
hassle-free.
Livspace is Born
In 2014, the duo founded Livspace with the dream of
organizing this highly fragmented space. Headquartered in Bangalore, Livspace
launched as a full-service platform for interior design, renovation, and
modular furniture, all under one digital roof. The goal was simple but bold: to
bring joy and ease to every homeowner’s design journey.
Gaining Ground and Early Acquisitions
In just a year, Livspace expanded to Delhi, Noida, and
Gurgaon, while also acquiring DesignUp, Dwll.in, and YoFloor, which
strengthened its design capabilities and tech platform. Recognizing their
innovative approach, Entrepreneur magazine named Livspace the "Innovative
Start-up of the Year" in 2015. This was just the beginning.
Entering New Cities and Building Experience
By 2016, Livspace had entered the bustling markets of Mumbai and Thane, and
celebrated over 1,000 completed homes. They also launched their first Experience
Centres in major cities, giving customers a real-world feel of their future
homes. The brand was quickly becoming a favorite among urban homeowners.
Global Recognition and More Growth
Livspace was no longer just a promising Indian startup—it gained international
attention. In 2017, Fast Company named it one of the "World’s Most
Innovative Companies". Livspace also expanded its offline presence with a
new Experience Centre in Gurgaon, strengthening its blend of digital and
physical experiences.
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Scaling Up Across India
By 2018, Livspace had expanded to Hyderabad, Chennai, and
Pune, completing over 5,000 homes. It also earned a spot on Red Herring’s Top
100 Global Companies list. These milestones cemented Livspace as a national
leader in home design, admired for its tech-driven, customer-centric approach.
Going International – Singapore Launch
The year 2019 marked Livspace’s entry into the international
market with its launch in Singapore. The company partnered with IKEA Singapore
to offer end-to-end renovation services and opened pop-up studios inside IKEA
stores. This move took their vision to a global audience and validated their
business model on an international scale.
Expanding Footprint and Capabilities
Livspace kept its momentum going in 2020, launching in Jaipur, Ahmedabad,
Lucknow, Kochi, and Kolkata. They opened 11 new Experience Centres, including
their largest centre in Bangalore (23,000 sq ft). These spaces showcased their
offerings and brought the digital design journey to life.
Dominating the Market and Winning Trust
By 2021, Livspace had delivered more than 25,000 beautifully designed homes.
The company expanded to smaller cities like Surat, Mysore, Mangalore, Vizag,
Vijayawada, Indore, and Coimbatore, and was certified a "Great Place to
Work." It also bagged awards such as "India’s Most Trusted
Brand" and "Best Interior Design Solutions Brand" evidence of
its rising credibility.
Becoming a Unicorn
In February 2022, Livspace raised $180 million in funding from KKR, along with
IKEA’s investment arm and other top investors. This pushed the company’s
valuation beyond $1 billion, making it a unicorn. Livspace was now not just a
successful startup—it was a global player with serious financial backing.
Evolution of Roles – A Leadership Shift
From 2013 to early 2025, Ramakant Sharma served as COO,
working closely with Anuj Srivastava (then CEO). But in February 2025, Livspace
announced a leadership transition: Anuj became Chairman, and Ramakant stepped
into the role of CEO, continuing the vision with fresh energy. Meanwhile, Saurabh
Jain took charge of Livspace India’s operations as CEO.
Building Beyond Homes – Commercial Expansion
Livspace wasn’t just focusing on homes anymore. Around 2022, it started serving
commercial spaces too offices, retail outlets, warehouses, and hotels. Their
experience in home design translated well into these sectors, allowing them to
offer the same ease and quality to businesses.
Investing in Technology and Partnerships
Behind Livspace’s success was a strong focus on technology and acquisitions.
Over the years, it acquired companies like DezignUp, Dwll.in, and YoFloor, and
developed an automation platform for designers. Their collaboration with IKEA
Singapore, launched in 2019, included a joint renovation studio in Jurong Point
by 2021, setting a global benchmark.
Funding the Dream – A Timeline of Investments
Livspace’s journey was backed by steady investment. Starting with $4.6 million
in 2014, it raised more in 2015 and 2016, followed by a massive $70 million
Series C in 2018 from top firms like TPG and Goldman Sachs. By 2022, the
unicorn status was achieved with investments from KKR, IKEA (Ingka Group), and
others. Each round brought not just money, but also credibility, partnerships,
and global opportunities.
Timeline:
- 2013–2014:
Livspace founded by Anuj Srivastava and Ramakant Sharma
- 2015–2016:
Expansion to major Indian cities, early acquisitions
- 2017–2018:
Global recognition and scale across India
- 2019:
International debut in Singapore
- 2020–2021:
Massive growth and trust built in tier-2 cities
- 2022:
Became a unicorn; expanded to commercial interiors
- 2025:
Ramakant Sharma becomes CEO; new leadership era begins
