Urban Naps, founded by Jainam and Mihir Mehta, is India’s first startup designing affordable, feature-rich smart nap pods for airports, corporate campuses, and wellness spaces.
A New Era for India’s Rest Culture
In a world obsessed with hustle, quality rest is a luxury—Urban Naps aims to change that.
Founded in 2018 by Jainam Mehta (software engineer) and Mihir Mehta (mechanical engineer),
this Ahmedabad-based startup designs and manufactures affordable, patented smart nap pods to bring quick, high-quality rest to airports, corporates, retail hubs, sports centers, and co-working spaces.
Urban Naps brings this wellness experience at a fraction of international pod costs, pioneering India’s sleep-tech revolution.
Shark Tank India Pitch: A Spotlight Moment
On Shark Tank India Season 1, the Mehta brothers pitched ₹50 lakh for 4% equity (₹12.5 crore valuation).
Pod Pricing & Traction:
- Installed four pods at Ahmedabad Airport, charging:
- ₹199 for 20 minutes
- ₹499 for 60 minutes
- Manufacturing cost: ₹2 lakh per pod (vs imported pods costing ₹15–20 lakh)
- Monthly revenue per pod: ~₹50,000, with ~50% net margins.
Negotiation Outcome:
- Anupam Mittal offered ₹50L for 25%.
- Ashneer Grover offered ₹50L for 20%, emphasizing scaling.
Post-Shark Tank: Growth, Wins & Challenges
Wins:
- Continued with airport lounge strategy post-pitch.
- Secured a sample export order from France worth ₹7 lakh.
- Raised
$185,000 (₹1.5 crore) funding, claiming a valuation exceeding $1 million. - Corporate Pilots: Installed 7 pods at SAP India Bengaluru, used by 450+ employees, logging 6,500+ minutes in three weeks.
- Partnered with BCCI Centre of Excellence, validating use cases in sports wellness.
Challenges:
- Ahmedabad Airport pods closed by late 2023, reflecting market limitations in travel hubs.
- Scaling installations remains critical to sustain revenue momentum.
What Makes Urban Naps Unique?
1️⃣ Affordable, Made-in-India Smart Pods
- Imported nap pods cost ₹15–20 lakh; Urban Naps builds them for ₹2 lakh with robust feature sets.
2️⃣ Patented Wellness Technology
- Zero-gravity recline, ventilation, massage, oxygen therapy, and soundproofing deliver a comprehensive rest experience.
3️⃣ Diverse User Segments
- Target markets include airports, corporate campuses, retail malls, sports facilities, and luxury residences.
4️⃣ Strong Unit Economics
- Revenue per pod: ~₹50,000/month with 50% profit.
- Quick ROI in the right high-footfall or corporate environments.
Expansion Strategy: Where Urban Naps Is Headed
✅ Focus Shifting from Travel to Corporate & Institutional Spaces:
- Corporate wellness is rising as companies prioritize employee well-being.
- Pods are ideal for long office days, sports training centers, and co-working fatigue recovery.
✅ Global Ambitions:
- With export trials (France) and rising global interest in affordable wellness pods, international expansion is on the horizon.
✅ Tech Enhancements:
- Exploring AI-driven sleep analytics for pod users.
- Potential app-based bookings, utilization analytics for corporate clients, and sleep quality reports.
Urban Naps At A Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founders | Jainam & Mihir Mehta |
| Founded | 2018, Ahmedabad |
| Product | Smart nap pods with wellness features |
| Shark Tank Pitch | ₹50L for 4% @ ₹12.5Cr valuation |
| Outcome | Offers from Anupam & Ashneer; no deal |
| Revenue per Pod | ~₹50,000/month |
| Manufacturing Cost | ₹2 lakh per pod |
| Funding Raised | ~$185K; $1M+ valuation |
| Clients | SAP India, BCCI, airport pilots |
| Expansion Strategy | Corporate campuses, institutional wellness, exports |
Why Urban Naps Resonates
✅ Productivity Focus: Aligns with global wellness and employee productivity trends.
✅ Home-Grown Innovation: Patented, Made-in-India alternative to expensive imported pods.
Challenges to Overcome
Securing long-term contracts with corporates and institutions.
Building consistent utilization to maximize pod ROI.
Marketing to HR and admin heads to highlight productivity gains and wellness benefits.
Final Take: Why Urban Naps is a Startup to Watch
Urban Naps represents India’s quiet yet impactful entry into the global sleep-tech and wellness market.
With innovative engineering, affordability, and a vision for accessible wellness, it reflects how India can create localized solutions for modern lifestyle challenges.
Their journey showcases:
The courage to build hardware in India.
Strategic pivots from travel to corporate wellness for steady growth.
Useful Links for Readers
FOR MORE BLOGS – beyondthepunchlines.com
Author: Team BTP
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