Gully Labs, a homegrown sneaker brand, has raised ₹8.7 crore in its seed funding round, comprising ₹7.6 crore in equity and ₹1.1 crore in venture debt.
The equity round was led by Zeropearl VC, with participation from a strong cohort of marquee founders and angels, including Vivekananda Hallekere (Co-founder & CEO, Bounce), Suhasini Sampath (Co-founder, Yogabar), Nishchay AG (CEO, Jar), Ashutosh Valani (Founder, Renee Cosmetics), Anurag Ramadasan and Rahul Seth.
Micro-funds such as Untitled Ventures and Atrium Ventures also participated in the round. Stride Ventures led the debt investment.
The company had earlier secured ₹1.1 crore in equity during its pre-seed round in 2024.
The fresh funds raised will be used to diversify the product mix, expand sales channels, and open physical retail stores. The funds will be also used to build a larger production facility, broaden its product line across diverse sneaker styles, and deepen its reach across India and global markets.
Founded in 2023 by Arjun Singh and Animesh Mishra, Gully Labs designs and manufactures sneakers inspired by local Indian culture and community. From sneakers inspired by Phulkari embroidery to silhouettes referencing regional traditions and festivals, Gully Labs creates handcrafted, design-forward footwear that celebrates Indian identity with modern flair.
The company plans to launch exclusive retail outlets as part of its omnichannel strategy.
Arjun Singh & Animesh Mishra, Co-founders, Gully Labs, said, “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 & Managing Partner, Zeropearl VC, said, “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% made in India. We’re proud to support their journey toward becoming a global ambassador of Indian craftsmanship.”
