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 fresh capital will help the Delhi based footwear startup scale its operations, strengthen its product portfolio and expand its presence across India’s growing sneaker market.
The company plans to deploy the funds towards increasing inventory and production capacity, strengthening working capital and accelerating growth across its direct-to-consumer (D2C) website and key online marketplaces. Zaydn will also invest in product development, brand building, technology and team expansion as it looks to scale its business.
Zaydn targets India’s Gen-Z sneaker market
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 aimed primarily at Gen-Z consumers.
The Delhi based startup is targeting a gap between aspirational sneaker designs and accessible pricing. Its products are positioned in the mass-premium segment, combining trend-led designs with features aimed at everyday comfort.
Zaydn has built its proposition around expressive and contemporary sneaker designs while maintaining an accessible price point for Indian consumers. The company also operates with in-house manufacturing capabilities and follows a digital-first business model.
According to the company, its sneakers feature a wide toe box, lightweight TPR soles, dual cushioning, memory foam insoles and breathable uppers, with the products designed for regular everyday use.
The startup believes the combination of design, comfort and pricing can help it build a differentiated position as sneaker adoption expands among younger Indian consumers.
Fresh funding to support production and expansion
The latest seed capital is expected to play a key role in Zaydn’s next phase of growth.
A significant portion of the funding will be directed towards scaling inventory and production capacity. Increasing manufacturing capabilities will allow the company to support higher demand while expanding its product assortment.
Zaydn also plans to strengthen working capital and accelerate its D2C and marketplace operations. Alongside distribution expansion, the company will invest in product development and brand building to improve its visibility among its target audience.
Technology and team expansion are also part of the company’s planned use of funds, indicating a focus on building the operational infrastructure required to support its expansion.
India’s sneaker market continues to expand
Zaydn’s fundraise comes as India’s sneaker market continues to attract both consumer interest and startup investment.
According to market research cited by the company, India’s sneaker market was valued at approximately $3.2 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $4.49 billion by 2030, representing annual growth of nearly 6%.
The growth is being supported by increasing demand for casual and lifestyle footwear, particularly among younger consumers. Sneakers are increasingly being adopted beyond sports and fitness, with consumers using them as everyday fashion and lifestyle products.
This shift has created opportunities for homegrown brands to compete with established footwear companies by focusing on design, comfort, community-led branding and accessible pricing.
Competition intensifies among homegrown sneaker brands
Zaydn operates in an increasingly competitive segment, with several Indian sneaker startups building differentiated products and expanding through online and offline channels.
Brands such as Comet, Gully Labs, Neeman’s, Thaely, Banjaaran and Bacca Bucci have been developing their own positions within the market.
Gully Labs, for instance, raised Rs 8.7 crore in seed funding in 2025, followed by a Rs 30 crore Series A round in January 2026, led by Saama Capital.
Comet has also attracted institutional backing, having previously raised a $5.08 million Series A round led by Elevation Capital and Nexus Venture Partners. Other homegrown footwear brands, including Neeman’s and Thaely, have similarly attracted venture capital.
For Zaydn, the latest funding provides additional capital to compete in this rapidly evolving category while expanding its product range and distribution footprint.
Building a mass-premium sneaker brand
The company’s focus on Gen-Z consumers places design and accessibility at the centre of its growth strategy. Rather than positioning sneakers exclusively as premium lifestyle products, Zaydn is attempting to combine aspirational aesthetics with pricing that can appeal to a wider consumer base.
With the new capital, the startup is expected to increase production, strengthen its D2C operations and broaden its marketplace presence. Investments in product development and branding could also help Zaydn establish stronger differentiation as more homegrown sneaker brands enter the market.
The latest fundraise gives Zaydn additional resources to scale its operations at a time when India’s sneaker category is witnessing increasing competition, rising consumer interest and growing investor attention.
