Indian startup Optimist has announced its entry into the air conditioner segment with the launch of its first inverter split AC lineup in India. The company is positioning itself as a technology-focused cooling brand targeting Indian consumers who deal with increasingly harsh summer temperatures.
Optimist was founded by Ashish Goel and Pranav Chopra in 2024. The company also recently raised $12 million to expand manufacturing, research, and service operations. The company says it has also worked with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi on thermal engineering and product validation for Indian weather conditions.
The company’s first product is a 1.4-ton 5-star inverter split AC. The AC is designed to maintain cooling performance even when outdoor temperatures reach 50°C, which has become a growing concern in several Indian cities during peak summer months.
The air conditioner comes with an ISEER rating of 6.05, which places it among the more energy-efficient models currently available in the Indian market. It uses a twin-rotary inverter compressor along with a microchannel heat exchanger and supports a Turbo+ cooling mode.
The company is offering a 5-year comprehensive warranty and a 10-year compressor warranty with the product.
The company is also focusing on connected features to make the experience even better. The AC includes app-based controls that allow users to remotely monitor power usage, gas levels, filter condition, and service alerts. Predictive maintenance notifications are also integrated into the app.
While several brands already offer smart ACs with app-based controls and monitoring features, Optimist is also introducing app-based gas level monitoring. This could be an important feature for Indian consumers, as many people are often unsure whether an AC actually needs gas refilling or if the service technician is simply trying to increase the bill by claiming gas leakage.
The Optimist AC is currently available at a launch price of ₹39,990, compared to its listed MRP of ₹65,000. It is initially being launched in Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Jaipur. It will be sold through Amazon, the company’s website, and its own retail stores starting May 20.
The company also plans to expand the lineup with new 1-ton and 2-ton variants in the coming months.
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