From Shark Tank India Boost to Audio Revolution: How Sonic Lamb is Shaping the Future of Sound

The global consumer audio market is expected to grow from $127.70 billion in 2025 to $343.60 billion by 2033, expanding at a CAGR of 13.17% during the forecast period (2025–2033), according to Straits Research.

Sonic Lamb, an audio technology brand, is reshaping the way people experience sound. Known for its patented Hybrid Driver Technology, Sonic Lamb offers an immersive, multi-sensory audio experience by combining air, bone, and skin conduction. With a strong focus on innovation, quality, and customer experience, Sonic Lamb is set to make a lasting impact on the global audio market.

In this article, explore more about Sonic Lamb, its founders, business and revenue model, funding, challenges, growth, and future plans.

Sonic Lamb - Company Highlights

Sonic Lamb - About

Sonic Lamb, developed by Rapture Innovation Labs, is a pioneering audio brand renowned for its patented Hybrid Driver Technology. 

An innovation that delivers a subwoofer-like experience, enabling headphones and other audio products to reproduce a full-spectrum sound where traditional subwoofers are absent or limited. Unlike conventional headphones, Sonic Lamb offers a unique listening experience by combining air and body conduction, allowing users to both hear and feel the music.

The brand is dedicated to redefining audio engagement by creating a multi-sensory experience where sound is not just heard but physically felt, immersing listeners in a deeper, more resonant way.

Sonic Lamb - Founders and Team

Navajith Karkera and Jagath Biddappa are the co-founders of Raputure Innovation Labs (Sonic Lamb).

Navajith Karkera, CEO

As the CEO of Rapture Innovation Labs Pvt. Ltd., Navajith leads strategic direction, fundraising, investor relations, business development, sales & marketing, and team building.

A Mechanical Engineer from Sahyadri College of Engineering, Mangalore, Navajith possesses deep expertise in electronics, product development, rapid prototyping, system design, and PCB design. After graduation, he pursued entrepreneurship-focused programs from NSRCEL-IIM Bangalore, NID Ahmedabad, and Wadhwani Foundation. He also participated in the On Deck fellowship program in California, gaining insights into the global startup ecosystem and international markets.

His experience spans P&L management, business and financial modelling, technology commercialisation, product strategy, business development, and communications.

Jagath Biddappa, CTO

As the Chief Technology Officer, Jagath oversees technology, R&D, product development, manufacturing, and supply chain.

An Electronics Engineer from Sahyadri College of Engineering, he specialises in Embedded Systems, Acoustics, Audio Signal Processing, Wireless Technology, and IoT. With a strong background in hardware solutions, Jagath has contributed to mobility startups and developed acoustics solutions for a med-tech company, reducing its dependency on European technologies.

Team, Work Culture, and Hiring Philosophy at Rapture Innovation Labs

Today, Rapture Innovation Labs has grown into a 35-member team of engineers, designers, and marketers, all passionate about pushing the boundaries of audio technology.

The work culture at Rapture Innovation Labs is characterised by:

• Innovation-first: The team loves to experiment and break norms.
• Customer-obsessed: Every decision is based on creating the best audio experience for the end user.
• Fast & Fun: The team works hard but never forgets to enjoy the ride.

The hiring philosophy is centred around the idea that the company does not hire employees; it hires partners, people who take charge, think outside the box, and want to be part of something groundbreaking. If that sounds like a fit, they encourage individuals to join the team.

Board of Advisors

• Rakesh Pandey: Ex-Director of Research & Acoustics at Bose Corporation with 29 years of experience advising us on Product & Technology. 
• Ratish Pandey: Ex-General Manager at Bose Corporation and one of the key persons for launching Bose in IMEA region with 20 years of experience advising us on business and Go To Market. Also, an Angel investor in Rapture.
• Kiran Mani: Ex-Google managing Android and Google Play at APAC region and currently CEO at Viacom 18 and Jio-Hotstar advising us on Marketing, Strategies and Investments. Also, an Angel investor in Rapture.

Sonic Lamb - Startup Story

Sonic Lamb was not conceived in a corporate boardroom or a high-tech lab. It was born out of passion, persistence, and a bold vision shared by Navajith Karkera and his co-founder right after graduating from Sahyadri College of Engineering in Mangalore. They always believed that sound is more than just an auditory experience; it should be felt. That belief led them on a journey to redefine how people experience audio.

Their journey started with a Smart Helmet, an engineering project they worked on as part of a team called Dreamers. The helmet allowed riders to access navigation, music, and calls without blocking their ears, making for a safer and more connected ride. The idea attracted attention from major companies, but due to regulatory challenges surrounding tech-enabled helmets, they had to pivot. Instead of seeing it as a setback, they saw it as an opportunity.

In 2019, after several iterations of their Impulse Driver technology, they had their ‘Eureka!’ moment by accident. One weekend, while testing their latest driver design, they integrated it into a pair of headphones. The result? It felt like a home theatre on their ears. The headphones did not just produce sound, they delivered a physically immersive experience, similar to feeling the bass from a subwoofer but without directing sound into the ears. They knew they had something revolutionary, and this is how Sonic Lamb was born.

The initial response was a mix of curiosity and skepticism, after all, feeling sound through headphones was an unconventional idea. But once people tried their prototypes, their reactions were overwhelming. That gave them the confidence to push forward.

They refined their technology, developing the Hybrid Driver System, which combines air conduction with impulse drivers (using bone and skin conduction) to create an immersive sound experience. Their dedication and innovation earned them global recognition, including selection as one of six startups in Denmark’s Sound Acceleration Program.

Today, Sonic Lamb stands as a proudly Made-in-India brand, tested and tuned in Denmark, and has been recognised on Forbes 30Under30 India and Asia. Their recent feature on Shark Tank India is another milestone in their journey to transform how the world experiences sound.

At Sonic Lamb, the belief is that music is not just meant to be heard;  it is meant to be felt.

Sonic Lamb - Vision and Mission

Sonic Lamb envisions transforming the way people experience sound by offering a deeply immersive audio experience that goes beyond conventional listening. The brand aspires to create a world where sound is not just heard but also felt, creating a multi-sensory connection to music. Through its proprietary Hybrid Driver Technology, Sonic Lamb aims to redefine audio engagement, making sound more realistic, captivating, and immersive.

At Rapture Innovation Labs, the core belief is that sound is more than just an auditory experience, it is a multi-sensory journey that resonates through the body and soul. The mission is to deliver audio in its purest form, replicating the immersive feel of a live performance. The company is driven by innovation, user experience, and a relentless pursuit of excellence in hardware technology. Every product it creates is backed by deep research and engineering precision, ensuring that users do not just hear sound but they feel it.

Motto: "Don't Just Hear, FEEEL the Music."

This reflects the company’s mission of bridging the gap between hearing and experiencing sound, ensuring every beat, bass drop, and melody is felt as much as heard.

Sonic Lamb - Name, Tagline, and Logo

When naming the brand, Rapture Innovation Labs wanted something that captured two fundamental elements: Sound and Sensation.

• “Sonic” represents pure sound, precision, and audio innovation.
• “Lamb” symbolises breaking stereotypes, with a playful, jester-like persona that embodies warmth and a deeper sensory connection.

The tagline, “Don’t just hear, Feeeel it”, encapsulates the essence of Sonic Lamb. Unlike conventional headphones that only let users hear sound, Sonic Lamb makes them feel it, just like being at a live concert or experiencing a subwoofer-powered home theatre. The tagline keeps it simple while conveying this immersive experience.

The logo features Sonic, a character who is not just a lamb but a symbol of individuality and creativity. Sonic challenges the herd mentality, embodying authenticity, originality, and purpose over fleeting trends. His philosophy, “Why follow the herd when you can lead with purpose?”, reflects the company’s commitment to making a lasting impact rather than just chasing trends.

Sonic Lamb - Products/Services

Sonic Lamb, by Rapture Innovation Labs, is revolutionising the way people experience audio with the world’s first hybrid driver headphones featuring WooferPads™. Unlike traditional headphones that rely solely on air conduction, Sonic Lamb integrates both air and body conduction, delivering not just sound, but a deep, physical sensation that replicates the feeling of a live concert or a high-end home theatre system.

The technology behind Sonic Lamb is the proprietary Hybrid Driver System, which combines:

• Air Conduction for detailed sound clarity
• Impulse Drivers (WooferPads™) using bone and skin conduction to deliver deep bass that users do not just hear but physically feel

This innovation solves a fundamental problem in personal audio: traditional headphones either overemphasise bass at the cost of clarity or fail to deliver a truly immersive experience. Sonic Lamb bridges that gap, allowing users to experience the full spectrum of sound without excessive volume, making it a safer and more engaging way to enjoy music.

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Sonic Lamb - Business and Revenue Model

Sonic Lamb operates on a direct-to-consumer (D2C) and retail distribution model, selling through its official website, major e-commerce platforms, and select offline stores.

The primary revenue stream comes from premium headphone sales, priced at INR 17,999 ($239 internationally), ensuring healthy margins while maintaining a strong focus on innovation, quality, and customer experience.

Looking ahead, the company plans to expand its revenue streams by supplying and licensing its proprietary Hybrid Driver Technology for applications in automotive audio, gaming, home entertainment, and VR sectors where immersive sound can create a next-level experience. This strategic move will position Rapture Innovation Labs not just as a headphone brand but as a leader in audio innovation across industries.

Sonic Lamb - Funding

Sonic Lamb has raised a total funding of INR 5.35 crore, with its current valuation standing at INR 50 crore as of May 2025.

Here are the funding details as sourced from Tracxn:

Key Investors of Sonic Lamb:

• Ratish Pandey, Former GM, Bose Corporation (IMEA Region)
• Kiran Mani, CEO, Viacom18 and JioStar; Former GM, Google (APAC Region)
• Ankit Mehta, Vipul Joshi & Rahul Singh, Founders, IdeaForge Technologies Ltd.
• Deshpande Startups (FSSI),  Premier incubator supported by DST and Gururaj 'Desh' Deshpande
• Peyush Bansal, Founder, Lenskart
• Change Engine, Micro VC
• Amit Pawar, Director, Microsoft Worldwide Education
• Vijay Bharadwaj, Director, IBM Workforce Management
• Sharada Satrasala, Formerly with Qualcomm and Texas Instruments

How Funding Has Fuelled Sonic Lamb’s Growth: The capital raised has played a vital role in supporting Rapture Innovation Labs (Sonic Lamb) across multiple fronts:

• R&D of its patented Impulse Drivers and development of Sonic Lamb headphones
• Digital marketing initiatives
• Inventory procurement and manufacturing setup in India
• Securing patents and trademarks
• Certification processes to enable sales in North America and the EU region

Funding Journey & Challenges: Raising capital as a deep-tech hardware startup came with its own set of challenges, especially due to longer R&D cycles and the capital-intensive nature of hardware development. However, the team at Rapture Innovation Labs successfully navigated these hurdles through a strategic approach:

1. Leveraging Tech Reviews & Publications: Awareness generated through trusted tech media led to organic sales and built credibility, sparking inbound interest from potential investors.
2. Building Investor Confidence: Early traction and visible global demand helped reassure investors, particularly as the team maintained efficient marketing spends.
3. Overcoming Market Skepticism: The team focused on educating the investor ecosystem about how Sonic Lamb’s patented technology is pioneering a new category in personal audio.

Next Steps: With future funding, Rapture Innovation Labs plans to:

• Scale production and marketing
• Strengthen exports and retail distribution
• Seed B2B partnerships
• Expand the product line

All these efforts are directed towards positioning Sonic Lamb as the category leader in physically immersive audio experiences.

Sonic Lamb - Launching Company Strategies

Sonic Lamb was launched with a strong community-driven approach, focusing on early adopters, music lovers, and tech enthusiasts who value cutting-edge innovation. The first 100 customers were acquired through three key strategies:

• Crowdfunding and Pre-orders: The team built curiosity around their unique technology, securing early believers who were eager to experience a new way of listening to music.
• Tech Influencers and Reviewers: Collaborations with trusted voices in the industry helped create organic awareness and credibility through their reach and insights.
• Word-of-Mouth and Referrals: Passionate early users became strong advocates, sharing their experiences and supporting growth through genuine recommendations.

By combining these strategies, Sonic Lamb not only validated its product but also built a loyal community that continues to fuel its growth.

Sonic Lamb - Customer Growth and Retention Strategies

Scaling from the first 100 customers to over 10,000 has been a journey driven by strategic growth and consistent customer retention efforts. The team at Sonic Lamb has always prioritised an experience-first approach, ensuring that people do not just hear about the brand but truly feel it. Several key strategies have fuelled this growth:

• Experience-First Approach: Given the uniqueness of the product and the unparalleled audio experience it offers, hands-on demos became the preferred method. Whether through offline experiences, influencer collaborations, or participation in major tech expos like CES, the real difference of Sonic Lamb is understood only when it is experienced.
• Tech Reviews: In-depth reviews and validation by respected tech reviewers helped establish credibility, providing authenticity and support for the company’s claims.
• Shark Tank India: Being featured on Shark Tank India brought significant visibility and a strong credibility boost. The confidence expressed by the sharks strengthened consumer trust and positioned Sonic Lamb as a leading innovator in audio technology.
• Referral and Loyalty Programmes: Early adopters played a crucial role as brand advocates. Well-structured referral and loyalty initiatives encouraged word-of-mouth promotion, which contributed significantly to organic growth.
• Strategic Partnerships: In addition to the direct-to-consumer model, Sonic Lamb expanded into premium retail stores and collaborated with technology and music influencers to effectively reach its target audience.

Marketing Spend and Growth Hacking

The focus has been on high-ROI digital campaigns, influencer-driven outreach, and content-led awareness. Instead of heavy advertising expenditure, the team leveraged organic reach, public relations, and strategic digital marketing to drive sustainable growth and maintain strong customer engagement.

By remaining committed to the core mission of making music not just heard but felt, Sonic Lamb continues to expand its community and transform the way people experience sound.

Sonic Lamb - Challenges Faced

If someone had explained just how difficult the entrepreneurial journey would be, the founders might have reconsidered. However, as engineers passionate about innovation, they never viewed obstacles as setbacks. Instead, each challenge became a learning experience and an opportunity that helped shape Sonic Lamb’s evolution.

• From a Failed Smart Helmet to a Revolutionary Headphone

The team’s initial project, a Smart Helmet, was innovative and fulfilled its technical promise. However, it lacked commercial viability. In a fortunate turn of events, the impulse driver technology developed for the helmet was repurposed into headphones. This pivot led to the creation of Sonic Lamb, a product that delivered not only great audio clarity but also deep, feel-the-music bass similar to that of a loudspeaker.

• Market Outreach - Getting People to “Feel” the Sound

Sonic Lamb redefined personal audio by offering a sensory music experience. The challenge, however, was that the headphones appeared like any other. Consumers needed to experience the product to understand its true difference.

Solution: The team relied on event participation, influencer marketing, and collaborations with tech reviewers. These strategies provided hands-on exposure to the product and helped build credibility, demonstrating how Sonic Lamb transformed the way people listened to music.

• Manufacturing in India - The Cost Challenge

The vision extended beyond innovation. It included manufacturing the product entirely in India. However, high production costs posed a major challenge.

Solution: Through crowdfunding, the team raised initial funds to set up in-house manufacturing, keeping costs manageable while maintaining quality.

• Funding - From a College Project to a Startup

The founders, both engineering students from modest backgrounds, faced significant difficulty in securing the funds necessary to turn their concept into a real business.

Solution: With the help of government grants, support from Deshpande Startups, early angel investors, and eventually, a feature on Shark Tank India, Sonic Lamb gained the financial backing and validation needed to grow.

What began as a failed helmet project has become a breakthrough innovation in personal audio. Every challenge has made the team more resilient. Today, Sonic Lamb is focused on scaling, diversifying its product range, and becoming the preferred brand for immersive sound experiences.

Sonic Lamb - Marketing Strategy

One of the most successful marketing strategies for Rapture Innovation Labs (Sonic Lamb) has been leveraging experiential marketing. As Sonic Lamb delivers a unique sensory experience, traditional advertising was not sufficient, they needed people to actually feel the difference.

Live demonstrations at tech events, collaborations with influencers, and their appearance on Shark Tank India played a key role in building awareness and credibility. The Shark Tank episode, in particular, resulted in a significant spike in website traffic and sales.

In addition, targeted digital campaigns highlighting key USPs such as “World’s First Subwoofer Headphones” and “Feel the Music, Not Just Hear It” helped position Sonic Lamb as a category-defining product, drawing the attention of both tech enthusiasts and audiophiles.

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Sonic Lamb - Startup Programs and External Support

• Startup programs: SoundHub Accelerator program in Denmark, support from Deshpande Startups, T-HUB, SINE IIT-B, NSRCEL IIM-B
• Grants: TIDE 2.0 from Meity, NIDHI Prayas from DST and Elevate100 grant from the Government of Karnataka.
• Government-sponsored schemes: KESDM (Govt. of Karnataka) financial assistance for International patent, international product certifications and R&D
• Accelerators: SoundHub Accelerator Denmark for audio competence and global benchmarking, as well as product testing and tuning
• Incubators: Deshpande Startups

Sonic Lamb - Growth

Sonic Lamb is growing at an exciting pace. The brand has established a strong presence in India and is now expanding globally. Its patented Hybrid Driver Technology has struck a chord with audio and tech enthusiasts, resulting in a loyal and growing user base.

The appearance on Shark Tank India marked a significant turning point, not only boosting brand awareness but also driving a notable surge in demand. To meet this, the team is scaling production and broadening its market reach.

Sonic Lamb currently operates from its headquarters in India, with manufacturing and testing collaborations in Denmark to further refine its technology. The response from users has been exceptional; thousands have already experienced the immersive audio Sonic Lamb delivers, and industry experts are beginning to take notice.

Looking ahead, the focus remains on expanding the product line, scaling production, and strengthening the brand’s global presence. With strong customer feedback, industry recognition, and a growing market share, Sonic Lamb is well on its way to becoming a global audio brand.

Sonic Lamb - Recognitions and Achievements

Sonic Lamb has been recognised globally and nationally for its innovation in audio technology. Some of our key achievements include:

• Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia & India: The founders were featured for redefining how the world experiences sound.
• What Hi-Fi? Award for Innovation: Recognised for pioneering the world’s first hybrid driver headphones with WooferPads™.
• Selected for SoundTech Accelerator in Denmark: One of the only seven startups globally, and the only one from outside Europe.
• Promising Startup of Hubli-Dharwad-Belagavi: Recognised at TiECon for innovation and impact in the region.
• Featured in Top Tech Publications: TechRadar, Hindustan Times, Times of India, Indian Express, and more.
• KPIT Sparkle Gold Award: Won for early-stage innovation in audio technology.
• Shark Tank India Season 4: Garnered interest from multiple Sharks on the panel, further solidifying our position as a category-defining brand.
• Showcased at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, the world’s largest consumer technology event.

Sonic Lamb - Competitors

Sonic Lamb faces competition from several well-established legacy premium headphone brands, including Sony and JBL.

Sonic Lamb - Future Plans

Product Innovation & Expansion

• Next-Gen Sonic Lamb Headphones: The brand is enhancing its hybrid driver technology with improved sound personalisation and more refined WooferPads™.
• Automotive Integration: Advancing Sonic Lamb's Sonic Seat technology to bring immersive sound to car seats, aiming to create a next-level in-car audio experience.

Global Market Expansion

• Sonic Lamb is strengthening its presence in North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia, where the demand for high-quality audio experiences is rapidly growing.
• The brand is expanding retail partnerships to bring Sonic Lamb to premium electronics stores and experience centres worldwide.

R&D & Tech Enhancements

• Significant investments are being made in AI-powered personalised sound tuning for users.
• There are continuous improvements to battery life, wireless connectivity, and material durability.
• Sonic Lamb is advancing its proprietary audio algorithms to offer a richer, more immersive experience.

Community & Brand Growth

• Sonic Lamb is building an engaged global community of audiophiles, musicians, and gamers who love immersive sound.
• The brand is leveraging its exposure from Shark Tank to drive brand awareness and strategic collaborations.
• There is an ongoing expansion of direct-to-consumer sales via e-commerce, partnerships, and collaborations with content creators and influencers.

FAQs

What is Sonic Lamb?

Sonic Lamb, developed by Rapture Innovation Labs, is a pioneering audio brand renowned for its patented Hybrid Driver Technology. It is revolutionising the way people experience audio with the world’s first hybrid driver headphones featuring WooferPads™.

Who are the founders of Sonic Lamb?

Navajith Karkera and Jagath Biddappa are the co-founders of Raputure Innovation Labs (Sonic Lamb).

Did Sonic Lamb secure funding from Shark Tank India?

Yes, Sonic Lamb secured INR 50 lakh in funding from Peyush Bansal on Shark Tank India for 1% equity and 1% advisory equity, with a valuation of INR 50 crore. This funding helped fuel their growth and further establish their presence in the audio technology market.