Akash Dongre Exits Indus Appstore
Akash Dongre has stepped down from Indus Appstore after spending more than a decade building the homegrown app discovery and distribution platform.
Dongre announced his departure through a LinkedIn post on Tuesday, becoming the latest founding member to move on from the company. His exit follows the departure of former CEO and co-founder Rakesh Deshmukh, who transitioned away from the business in early 2024.
The move marks the end of a significant chapter for one of India’s earliest attempts to build indigenous smartphone software and app distribution products.
From Indus OS To Indus Appstore
Founded in 2013 by Akash Dongre, Rakesh Deshmukh, and Sudhir Bangera, Indus OS was initially launched as a mobile operating system designed specifically for Indian users.
The platform focused heavily on regional language support, local content discovery, and improving smartphone accessibility for non-English-speaking consumers.
A major breakthrough came in 2015 when the company partnered with Micromax. According to Dongre, Indus OS became the second-largest mobile operating system by smartphone shipments in India in 2016.
Strategic Pivot To App Distribution
As the smartphone ecosystem evolved, the company shifted its focus from operating systems to app discovery and distribution.
In 2019, Indus OS pivoted to the app marketplace business and later partnered with Samsung to expand the reach of its app store across devices in India.
The transition laid the foundation for what would eventually become Indus Appstore, positioning the company as a domestic alternative to dominant global app distribution platforms.
PhonePe Acquisition And Expansion
In July 2022, fintech giant PhonePe acquired Indus OS following a prolonged legal dispute and restructuring process.
The platform was subsequently rebranded as Indus Appstore and officially launched by PhonePe in February 2024 as an Indian alternative to the Google Play Store.
Backed by PhonePe and its parent company Walmart, the platform supports 12 Indian languages alongside English and aims to improve app discovery for India’s diverse user base.
Key Milestones Under Dongre’s Leadership
In his farewell message, Dongre reflected on the company’s transformation from a regional language-focused operating system into a large-scale app marketplace serving millions of users.
Among the achievements highlighted were the launch of Indus Appstore at Bharat Mandapam in February 2024, the onboarding of Xiaomi India in March 2025, and the platform crossing 150 million users.
These milestones helped establish Indus Appstore as one of the largest indigenous app distribution platforms in the country.
What’s Next For Dongre?
Dongre stated that the company will continue its growth journey under new leadership.
As for his own plans, he indicated that he intends to take a break to recharge and reflect before deciding on his next professional move.
While he did not reveal specific future plans, his entrepreneurial background has fueled speculation that he may eventually return to the startup ecosystem.
What Does This Mean For Indus Appstore?
Dongre’s departure comes at a time when Indus Appstore is focusing on scaling adoption, attracting developers, and expanding partnerships with smartphone manufacturers.
With support from PhonePe and a growing user base, the platform remains a key part of India’s broader push toward digital self-reliance and indigenous technology infrastructure.
As leadership transitions continue, the focus will now shift toward sustaining growth and strengthening Indus Appstore’s position in India’s competitive app ecosystem.
