In a move that reflects the evolving journey of India’s startup founders, Sumant Kakaria has transitioned from building a consumer brand to backing the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Less than two months after the acquisition of D2C footwear startup Solethreads, Kakaria has joined Famy Aspire Capital as a Partner. He announced the development through a LinkedIn post, calling it a new phase after what he described as a “blessed journey as an entrepreneur.”
Famy Aspire Capital is a strategic private equity fund focused on the consumer and healthcare sectors. Backed by the Taparia family, the firm is looking to invest in high-growth consumer businesses at a time when India’s consumption landscape is rapidly evolving.
In his announcement, Kakaria emphasized the importance of bringing an “operator-investor DNA” into the investment ecosystem — a perspective increasingly valued in India’s startup and venture landscape. Having experienced the highs and challenges of scaling a consumer brand firsthand, his move signals how seasoned founders are now stepping into capital and mentorship roles to help shape the next wave of category leaders.
The transition comes shortly after Tauseef Mirza, managing director of Mirza International, acquired a 100% stake in Solethreads earlier this year. While the financial details of the acquisition remain undisclosed, the development marked an important milestone for the Gurugram-based startup.
Founded in 2020 by Sumant Kakaria, Gaurav Chopra, Vikram Iyer and Aprajit Kathuria, Solethreads built its presence in the open and casual footwear segment with products ranging from sneakers and slides to flip-flops sold through both online and offline channels.
Over the years, the startup raised more than $7 million in funding from investors including Fireside Ventures, DSG Consumer Partners and Saama Capital.
Kakaria’s move from entrepreneur to investor also mirrors a broader shift underway in India’s startup ecosystem, where experienced founders are increasingly taking active roles in investing, mentoring and helping build the next generation of consumer-first brands.
-By Muskan Dengra
