After Shark Tank Swipe, Aman Gupta Explains Why He Stepped Down From boAt

The fifth season of Shark Tank India has returned with its trademark sharp exchanges, as investors once again trade barbs that quickly spill beyond the studio. One such moment arrived early when Shaadi.com founder Anupam Mittal took a swipe at boAt co-founder Aman Gupta, questioning his standing after his exit from an executive role.

Gupta, who recently relinquished his position as boAt’s Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), has since addressed the issue, saying the decision had been planned well in advance. He added that leaving before boAt’s public listing was an ethical call aimed at safeguarding investor trust.

In an interview with Pinkvilla, the boAt co-founder said his exit from an executive role was aligned with a broader, long-term strategy

to put a more professional management structure in place. He noted that the shift had been underway for several years, pointing to the appointment of an external CEO nearly three years ago.

Why Did He Resign?

Gaurav Nayyar, who joined as Chief Operating Officer and later took over as CEO, now leads the company. According to Aman Gupta, the founders believe the business has reached a stage where professional leadership is better suited to drive it forward.

“We believe it is high time that professionally run management takes over. That’s our belief—that the company can now be run much better by professionals than by me, and that’s the decision I took,” Aman said.

He said his ongoing involvement in an executive capacity risked sending mixed signals across the organisation.

“Another reason is that I am a strong founder. When a strong founder still works in the system, employees feel there are many bosses in the company. I want Gaurav to run the company as if there is only one boss—and that’s him. He reports to the board. I am still a board member. Sameer and I still own more than 40 per cent of the company, so we remain large shareholders,” he said.

“Imagine if I had stepped down after the IPO. That wouldn’t have been fair to retail investors. They would feel cheated if they invested believing that Aman Gupta was running the company and suddenly someone else took over. That’s not fair, and that’s not me. Hence, I stepped down first so people invest their hard-earned money knowing the reality,” he added.

What’s Next For Aman Gupta?

Although Aman Gupta has kept his next move under wraps, his departure from day-to-day management has not gone unnoticed. The decision has already drawn public attention, including a pointed exchange on Shark Tank India, where fellow judge Anupam Mittal took a swipe during a pitch. After Gupta questioned Mittal about the fate of some of his ventures, Mittal delivered a sharp retort.

“Bhai teri toh naukri hi nahi bachi yaar (You don’t even have a job),” Mittal said.

boAt, a popular name in India’s audio and wearable electronics segment, filed its IPO papers in April 2025 and has since received the go-ahead from SEBI. The firm is expected to seek a valuation of around Rs 13,000 crore as part of the offering.