Homegrown sneaker brand Zaydn is gearing up for its next phase of growth after raising $681K in a seed funding round led by Inflection Point Ventures (IPV), with participation from BeyondSeed and private angel investors.
The company plans to deploy the capital towards increasing inventory and production capacity, strengthening working capital, scaling performance marketing and expanding across its D2C platform and marketplaces including Myntra, Amazon and Nykaa. The funds will also support new product development, technology, brand building and team expansion.
Founded in 2022, Zaydn is targeting India’s Gen-Z consumers with trend-led sneakers positioned at accessible, mass-premium price points. The brand aims to combine contemporary designs and premium-looking construction with everyday comfort, addressing the gap between aspirational sneaker styles and affordability.
Zaydn’s in-house manufacturing capabilities allow it greater control over product development, quality and speed to market. Its range features wide toe boxes, lightweight TPR soles, dual cushioning, memory-foam insoles and breathable uppers.
Minal Shah, Principal – Southeast Asia, IPV, said Zaydn has demonstrated its ability to build consumer relevance while maintaining the discipline needed to scale. She highlighted the brand’s growth from a self-funded business into a Rs 10 crore-plus annual brand, supported by its digital community, in-house manufacturing and expanding marketplace presence.
Zaydn was founded by Ankit Dass, who entered his family’s footwear business in 2019 before launching the brand.
India’s sneaker market is estimated at around $3.2 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach US $4.49 billion by 2030, growing at nearly 6% annually. With sneakers increasingly becoming part of everyday fashion, the segment is creating opportunities for homegrown, design-led brands within India’s wider US $18 billion footwear market.
