Zymrat Revolutionizes Performance Wear with Technology-First D2C Innovation

January 5, 2026 10 min read

For most consumers in India, high-performance workout gear has long been a choice between two extremes: unaffordable international luxury brands or low-quality local options that lack modern technology. Ujjawal Asthana, Co-founder of Zymrat, saw this gap not just as a business opportunity, but as a personal mission. By spending 3-4 times more on R&D and raw materials than traditional Indian brands, Zymrat is building a homegrown performance label that rivals global giants.

The Quality-Price Paradox

In the fitness community, consumers are willing to invest in their health. However, Ujjawal identified that international brands often bring their innovative products to India 4-5 years late, and at prices that remain out of reach for the average fitness enthusiast. Zymrat was born to bring that global-standard innovation to the Indian market in real-time.

The 30kg Weight Loss that Sparked a Brand

Ujjawal’s journey to Zymrat didn't start in a boardroom; it started on a treadmill. After a successful 10-year career in technology consulting and a stint at Infosys in the UK, Ujjawal found himself at 100kg and physically unfit. His subsequent 18-month journey to lose 30kg transformed him "emotionally, physically, and spiritually."

During this transformation, he became an active member of the Bengaluru fitness community. Talking to marathon runners and CrossFit coaches, he realized they all shared a common frustration: the lack of high-quality, high-tech apparel available locally. Leveraging his background in software engineering, Ujjawal decided to apply an engineering mindset to fabric and apparel design.

Fabric Engineering: More Than Just a T-Shirt

Zymrat differentiates itself through a "product-first, technology-led" approach. While most apparel brands focus on fashion, Zymrat focuses on solving physical problems for athletes.

"We spend three to four times more on our raw materials—the fabric threads and yarns—and the technology applications that go on top. Our goal is to make products that can give any brand on Earth a run for its money."

A prime example is their SuperSilva (Super Silver) line. By sustainably infusing silver ions into the t-shirt fabric, Zymrat solved the persistent problem of odor during long workout sessions. This technology allows fitness enthusiasts to work out longer and stay fresh, a feat previously reserved for top-of-the-line global collections.

The Power of the D2C Cohort

Zymrat operates primarily through its website, a conscious choice to maintain control over the brand narrative. This strategy has paid off in the form of industry-leading retention rates.

12-Month Retention: 70% of customers return for a repeat purchase within a year.
3-Month Retention: 45% repeat purchase rate.
AOV (Average Order Value): ₹2,400 - ₹2,500.
Short-Term Stickiness: 15% repeat purchase rate within just 30 days.

These metrics are almost unheard of in the apparel sector, where loyalty is notoriously low. Ujjawal attributes this to the "mind-blowing value" consumers feel the moment they hold a Zymrat product in their hands.

Zymrat's Innovation Pipeline

Problem Identification: Sourcing feedback from the active fitness community.
Raw Material R&D: Developing custom yarns and high-tech threads.
Technology Infusion: Applying trademarked solutions like SuperSilva for odor and sweat management.
Hero Product Validation: Selling directly via D2C to find "Hero Products" before scaling to marketplaces like Amazon.

The Future: Expanding the Gym

Having established a dominant position in men’s performance wear, Zymrat is now set to launch its first women’s collection. Footwear is also on the 24-month roadmap, as Ujjawal seeks to provide a full head-to-toe performance ecosystem.

Founder's Lesson: Entrepreneurship as Liberation

Ujjawal views entrepreneurship as more than business—it's liberation. "It's the freedom to create an impact over a problem you have personally faced," he says. His advice to founders? Have a safety net, like health insurance, before taking the plunge, because the journey is long and you may not get paid for a while.

Chasing Impact

For Ujjawal and his co-founder Ankita Riva, Zymrat is the culmination of a decade of self-employment and a lifetime passion for fitness. By merging technology with apparel, they aren't just selling clothes—they are providing the armor for India's growing community of high-performance athletes.