Gully Labs Kicks Off Series A Round
Introduction
India’s direct-to-consumer (D2C) fashion ecosystem continues to attract strong investor interest, particularly brands that combine design, culture, and community. One such brand is Gully Labs, a homegrown sneaker label rooted in Indian street culture, which has raised fresh capital to scale its operations and strengthen its presence in a competitive footwear market.
About the Funding
Sneaker brand Gully Labs has raised ₹26.5 crore (approximately $3 million) in a Series A funding round, led by Saama Capital, with participation from existing investor Zeropearl and several prominent angel investors. According to regulatory filings with the Registrar of Companies (RoC), the company issued 10 equity shares and 31,925 Series A compulsorily convertible preference shares (CCPS) at an issue price of ₹8,301 per share.
Saama Capital contributed ₹22.6 crore, while seed-stage backer Zeropearl invested ₹3.5 crore. The round also saw participation from Teppan, Roman Saini (Unacademy co-founder), Radhika Gupta (MD & CEO, Edelweiss Mutual Fund), and angel investor Aditya Bhalla. Post this round, Gully Labs is valued at approximately ₹147 crore ($16.25 million) on a post-money basis.
Use of Funds
The fresh capital will be utilised for business expansion and other corporate purposes, with a strong focus on scaling the brand. Gully Labs plans to expand its product portfolio, strengthen its offline retail presence in key Indian cities, and increase brand visibility in international markets, particularly the US and the UK. The company also intends to invest in operations, supply chain, and marketing to support its next phase of growth.
About the Startup
Founded in 2023, Gully Labs operates a direct-to-consumer sneaker brand inspired by Indian street culture. The company designs and manufactures its footwear in-house, allowing it to maintain control over quality, storytelling, and brand identity. Gully Labs primarily sells through its own website and has also established a presence through select retail partners and physical stores in major Indian cities.
The brand differentiates itself through culturally inspired designs, including Phulkari-influenced sneakers and Onam-themed collections, blending premium materials with Indian narratives.
How It Started and the Founders
Gully Labs was co-founded by Arjun Singh and Animesh Mishra, who set out to build a sneaker brand that celebrates authentic Indian stories rather than imitating global trends. The founders believe that Indian pop and street culture remains underrepresented in global fashion, and Gully Labs aims to change that by creating products rooted in community, craftsmanship, and cultural pride.
Since inception, the brand has focused on building a strong identity around storytelling, quality, and originality—positioning itself as more than just a footwear label.
Market Opportunity
India’s sneaker and casual footwear market is witnessing rapid growth, driven by young consumers, rising disposable incomes, and increasing demand for homegrown D2C brands. The premium sneaker segment, in particular, remains under-penetrated, creating room for differentiated players like Gully Labs.
The brand competes with both domestic and global players, including Comet, Neemans, Solethreads, and Zeesh, while carving a niche through culture-led branding and limited-edition designs.
Business Model and Revenue Streams
Gully Labs operates a D2C-first business model, generating revenue through online sales and offline retail channels. Its in-house design and manufacturing capabilities help protect margins while enabling faster product experimentation. Since its seed round in early 2025, the company reports achieving ₹30 crore in annualised revenue and has already established physical stores in five Indian cities.
Future Plans
Looking ahead, Gully Labs aims to scale aggressively. The company plans to expand its retail footprint, diversify sneaker styles, and strengthen its international presence. Over the next few years, it is targeting ₹100 crore in annualised revenue by FY 2026–27, positioning itself as a leading premium sneaker brand from India.
Conclusion
Gully Labs’ Series A funding marks a key milestone in its journey to build a culture-driven, premium sneaker brand rooted in Indian identity. With strong investor backing, growing revenues, and a clear expansion roadmap, the startup is well-positioned to compete in India’s evolving D2C fashion landscape while taking its stories global.
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