NORI, a direct-to-consumer (D2C) travel gear brand designed exclusively for women, has secured $350,000 in pre-seed funding. The investment round was led by Rebalance, with participation from high-profile backers including Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma through VSS Investco, alongside several angel investors.
The Bengaluru-based startup plans to utilize the fresh capital to broaden its product lineup and scale its distribution across both digital platforms and physical retail channels.
Addressing a Gender-Specific Market Gap
Founded in 2025 by Meenakshi Vyas and Rashika Nayak, NORI was established to challenge the “one-size-fits-all” approach of the traditional luggage industry. Despite the rapid rise of female solo and business travelers in India, the founders argue that travel gear remains largely generic, often ignoring the specific organizational and ergonomic needs of women.
“Travel gear continues to be largely designed around generic use cases, often overlooking how women actually pack and travel,” the company stated in a press release.
NORI’s product philosophy centers on specialized organization and feminine aesthetics. Its flagship launch, the Carry-On Wheelie, features tailored internal compartments and ergonomic adjustments, complementing its established range of packing cubes and travel organizers.
Early Traction and Financial Performance
The brand has reported significant momentum within its first few months of operation:
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Customer Base: Over 4,000 customers served.
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Revenue Growth: Currently tracking toward an annual run rate (ARR) of Rs 2 crore.
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Customer Loyalty: A Net Promoter Score (NPS) above 9 and a 20% repeat purchase rate within 60 days.
These metrics are particularly notable in the competitive Indian D2C landscape, where high repeat rates are often difficult to achieve at such an early stage. As the Indian travel market continues its post-pandemic surge, NORI aims to position itself as the primary choice for the modern female traveler by combining functional design with a distinct brand identity.
By: Sandhya Bharti
