Homegrown sneaker brand Zaydn has raised $681,000 in a seed funding round led by Inflection Point Ventures (IPV), with participation from BeyondSeed and other angel investors. The Delhi-based startup plans to use the fresh capital to strengthen its operations and accelerate its growth across online channels.
According to the company, the funds will be deployed towards scaling inventory and production capacity, strengthening working capital, and expanding its presence across direct-to-consumer (D2C) channels and key marketplaces. Zaydn will also invest in product development, brand building, technology, and team expansion as it looks to scale its business.
Founded in 2022 by Ankit Dass, Zaydn was later joined by co-founder Vidushi Chaudhary. The brand focuses on creating design-led, comfortable, and accessible sneakers for Gen-Z consumers. With in-house manufacturing capabilities and a digital-first approach, Zaydn aims to bridge the gap between aspirational sneaker designs and affordable pricing in the Indian market.
The company offers trend-led and expressive sneaker designs positioned at mass-premium price points. Its products feature a wide toe box, lightweight TPR soles, dual cushioning, memory foam insoles, and breathable uppers, with a focus on comfort and everyday usability.
Zaydn’s fundraise comes at a time when India’s sneaker market is witnessing growing consumer interest, particularly among younger buyers. According to market research cited by the company, India’s sneaker market was valued at around $3.2 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $4.49 billion by 2030, representing annual growth of nearly 6%.
The growing opportunity has attracted several homegrown sneaker and footwear brands, including Comet, Gully Labs, Neeman’s, Thaely, Banjaaran, and Bacca Bucci. These brands are increasingly differentiating themselves through design, product innovation, pricing, and omnichannel expansion.
Gully Labs, for instance, raised Rs 8.7 crore in seed funding in 2025 before securing a Rs 30 crore Series A round in January 2026 led by Saama Capital. Comet has also raised significant venture funding, including a $5.08 million Series A round led by Elevation Capital and Nexus Venture Partners. Neeman’s and Thaely have similarly secured institutional backing as the Indian sneaker ecosystem continues to develop.
For Zaydn, the latest capital infusion is expected to support the next phase of growth as the company scales manufacturing, expands its product portfolio, and strengthens its brand among India’s Gen-Z consumers. With increasing competition in the segment, the startup will look to combine accessible pricing, differentiated designs, and comfort-focused products to establish a stronger position in India’s growing sneaker market.
By: Sanya Sharma
