Homegrown Sneaker Brand Gully Labs Raises ₹8.7 Crore in Seed Round to Expand Footprint and Celebrate Indian Culture Through Design
- ByStartupStory | June 4, 2025
Gully Labs, India’s rising homegrown sneaker brand that seamlessly blends cultural storytelling with premium craftsmanship, has successfully raised ₹8.7 crore in its seed funding round. The investment comprises ₹7.6 crore in equity and ₹1.1 crore in venture debt. This milestone follows the brand’s ₹1.1 crore pre-seed equity round in 2024. The newly raised capital will be deployed towards diversifying its product mix, expanding its digital and offline sales channels, and opening physical retail outlets across strategic locations in India.
The equity round was led by Zeropearl VC and attracted a strong cohort of marquee founders and angel investors who believe in the brand’s cultural vision and business potential. Among those participating were Vivekananda Hallekere, Co-founder & CEO of Bounce; Suhasini Sampath, Co-founder of Yogabar; Nishchay AG, CEO of Jar; Ashutosh Valani, Founder of Renee Cosmetics; along with Anurag Ramadasan and Rahul Seth. Micro-funds such as Untitled Ventures and Atrium Ventures also invested in the round. The debt investment was led by Stride Ventures, a prominent venture debt firm known for supporting high-growth startups in India.
Founded in 2023 by engineers-turned-entrepreneurs Arjun Singh and Animesh Mishra, Gully Labs was born from a desire to see Indian culture authentically reflected in globally competitive consumer products. The brand creates handcrafted sneakers that are design-forward and rooted in Indian heritage. From designs inspired by Phulkari embroidery to silhouettes that reference regional festivals and traditions, Gully Labs is redefining contemporary Indian fashion through footwear that proudly celebrates identity and artistry.
Arjun Singh and Animesh Mishra, Co-founders of Gully Labs, expressed their excitement about the fundraise, stating, “This round is a big step forward for us. We have always believed that Indian stories deserve a global stage not just in art and cinema, but in products people use and wear every day. With this backing, we are excited to scale our vision, grow our team, expand into physical retail, and bring even more culturally rooted, design-led sneakers to people across India and beyond. Above all, having the trust of such seasoned founders and investors gives us both confidence and responsibility as we build the next chapter of Gully Labs.”
Bipin Shah, Founder and Managing Partner at Zeropearl VC, shared the firm’s rationale behind leading the round, stating, “At Zeropearl VC, we focus on backing brands that are authentically rooted in India, with strong design and product moats. Our Indiluxe thesis believes India’s affluent consumers should embrace premium homegrown brands over foreign ones. Gully Labs embodies this spirit — taking India’s rich cultural story to the world through sneakers that are 100 per cent made in India. We’re proud to support their journey toward becoming a global ambassador of Indian craftsmanship.”
With this funding, Gully Labs is poised to accelerate its vision of establishing a globally recognized Indian sneaker brand, rooted in storytelling, innovation, and authenticity. The brand aims to create a movement where Indian heritage finds expression in everyday fashion, and premium design becomes synonymous with cultural pride.
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