Dentsu Lab opens in Mumbai, to be led by Gurbaksh Singh

Dentsu has launched Dentsu Lab in India, marking the extension of its global innovation network into one of the world’s largest and fastest-evolving markets. The India chapter was officially launched in Mumbai on July 15, 2025, joining the existing network of Labs in Tokyo, London, and Warsaw.

Founded in 2014 by Yasuharu Sasaki, Dentsu’s Global Chief Creative Officer, the Lab is part of the company’s broader innovation infrastructure, focused on applying technology, creativity, and human-centred design to address business and societal challenges.

The Lab in India is positioned as a platform combining emerging technology, culturally grounded creativity, and experience design. It is part of Dentsu’s global ‘Innovate to Impact’ proposition, aimed at helping clients explore industry-specific solutions at the intersection of business, culture, and technology.

Leading the India Lab is Gurbaksh Singh, Chief Creative Officer & Chief Innovation Officer – South Asia, dentsu. Singh will work with clients, startups, and partners across sectors to develop solutions rooted in empathy and experimentation.

The launch included the unveiling of several prototypes. Projects from the Tokyo Lab included Tokonoma, an AI-powered installation that converts Japanese pottery into music, and 'Unlabeled,' a fashion-tech concept aimed at addressing machine-based bias through camouflage patterns. Indian prototypes presented included Garuda Rakshak, a drone-based public safety solution, 'Motorola Deep Connect,' and the 'AR-based Unfiltered History Tour.'

Speaking at the launch, Yasuharu Sasaki said: “Innovation, at its best, is not driven by speed or scale alone, but by purpose. In a world where technology is accelerating rapidly, we must not forget that true progress begins with understanding people. We believe every idea must begin with empathy because when we place human needs at the centre, we create solutions that are not only intelligent, but deeply meaningful. India holds a special strength - a harmony of emotional insight, cultural richness, and technical excellence. With Dentsu Lab in India, we are bringing this strength into our global network. Together, we will create innovation that is grounded in humanity and designed to serve both business and society with lasting impact.”

Amit Wadhwa, CEO, Dentsu Creative & Media Brands, South Asia, dentsu and Narayan Devanathan, President & Chief Strategy Officer, dentsu South Asia, jointly stated: “Throughout history, India has stood at the crossroads of imagination and invention. From ancient knowledge systems to modern engineering marvels, India brings something truly special to the Lab - the ability to blend logic with intuition, tech with touch, data with empathy. Our culture teaches us to see the world not just as it is, but as it could be. With brilliant engineers, thoughtful designers, academics, and storytellers around us, we believe Dentsu Lab in India will be a crucible of possibility; a world where ideas come to life with purpose and humility.

“It is our promise to our clients and partners that here in India, innovation will not only be efficient, but empathetic. Not only intelligent, but inclusive. And through the Lab, we will build solutions that uplift industries, inspire people, and improve the world around us,” they reiterated.

Gurbaksh Singh added,  “We are not here to theorise about innovation. We are here to build it - fast, bold, and with intent. At Dentsu Lab in India, every challenge is a live brief, and every prototype a shot at solving something real. We draw from India’s first-mover mindset and a strong foundation in creative R&D to engineer ideas rooted in human connection and cultural relevance. From drones for public safety to emotional tech that bridges remote gaps, to wearables that push back against machine bias - everything we create exists to make a measurable difference. This Lab gives our ideas the tools, the talent, and the freedom to grow. We keep it simple, but we don’t think small. Our strength lies in blending creative ingenuity with emerging technology to deliver outcomes that create meaningful change, not eventually, but now.”

Dentsu Lab’s India presence includes physical labs in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Gurgaon. It offers creative R&D services across sectors, including product design, immersive technology, mobile platforms, AI, IoT, AR/VR/MR, rapid prototyping, and data visualisation.