Delhi-based footwear start-up Yoho has raised fresh funding from a combination of new and existing investors as the company seeks to strengthen its offline retail presence and expand its footprint in India’s growing performance footwear market.
The company had earlier raised Rs. 27 crore (US $2.83 million) in a Pre-Series A funding round in 2022, backed by investors including Gulf Islamic Investments, Rajeev Misra, Rukam Capital, and Vijay Shekhar Sharma.
According to the company, the newly raised capital will primarily be deployed towards expanding its brick-and-mortar retail network and scaling its performance running footwear category.
Founded in 2021 by Ahmad Hushsham and Prateek Singhal, Yoho has sold more than three million pairs of footwear through its direct-to-consumer platform and online marketplaces, including Amazon India, Myntra, Flipkart, Ajio, and Nykaa. The brand has also expanded its distribution network through quick commerce platforms such as Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart.
The company’s expansion plans come amid rapid growth in India’s sneaker and athleisure market, which is projected to reach USD 6 billion by FY32, driven by increasing demand among younger consumers for fashion-oriented and comfort-focused footwear products.
As part of its offline retail strategy, Yoho is targeting partnerships with 2,500 multi-brand outlets across Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities. The company is also planning to expand its exclusive brand outlet network, where it intends to introduce AI-led technologies designed to improve footwear fitting, reduce return rates, and enhance inventory management efficiency.
Yoho is simultaneously intensifying its focus on the performance running segment following the market response to its Catapult with Carbonburst running shoes, which were developed for marathon runners. The company plans to broaden the category with additional performance-oriented products.
The brand currently operates across casual, formal, and athleisure footwear categories for both men and women, positioning itself as a homegrown challenger brand focused on combining comfort, functionality, and design.
