Boat expands global footprint with Sri Lanka, Bhutan launch; international revenue surges in FY26 - The Times of India

Homegrown audio and wearables brand Boat has expanded its international presence with its entry into Sri Lanka and Bhutan, as the company looks to accelerate growth beyond India under its "Boat 2.0" strategy. The company said its international revenue more than doubled in FY26, a performance it described as an early validation of its efforts to build markets outside India. The latest expansion strengthens Boat's footprint across South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.Boat will launch a multi-category portfolio in both Sri Lanka and Bhutan, covering personal audio products, smartwatches and charging solutions. The company said it plans to tailor its offerings over time based on local consumer preferences and market demand.The move comes as Boat seeks to diversify its growth drivers after establishing itself as a leading player in India's audio and wearables market. International markets are expected to play a key role in the company's next phase of growth, alongside expansion into newer consumer technology categories.According to Boat, Sri Lanka and Bhutan offer attractive opportunities due to their young, increasingly digital-first populations, rising adoption of personal electronics and familiarity with Indian brands and popular culture. Commenting on the expansion, Gaurav Nayyar, CEO of Boat, said the company's international strategy is focused on building relevance market by market rather than simply expanding product availability."For us, international expansion is not about putting the same products on more shelves. It is about building market by market, understanding local consumers and creating relevance in each geography," Nayyar said.He added that the company aims to build Boat into a global lifestyle technology brand originating from India, competing on product design, innovation and consumer understanding.The international push comes amid a broader evolution of Boat's business. While audio remains its core category, the company said it has expanded its capabilities in wearables, charging solutions and other emerging technology segments. It added that its wearables business turned profitable in FY26, while charging solutions and other emerging categories contributed a growing share of profits.Supporting the expansion is Boat Labs, the company's in-house research and development centre, which employs more than 100 engineers focused on product development and innovation across categories.Going forward, Boat said it plans to deepen its presence in existing overseas markets while evaluating further expansion opportunities across South Asia, Southeast Asia, the GCC and other high-potential regions.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.