uppercase, a direct-to-consumer luggage brand has raised an undisclosed amount from Indian cricketer Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah has been the brand ambassador for the Mumbai-based company since its inception in 2021.
As part of their collaboration, uppercase will co-create a new product line with Bumrah which will include luggage, backpacks and gym bags designed largely for sportspersons. A portion of the profits from these products will be shared with Bumrah.
Jasprit Bumrah said, “I have always admired uppercase’s ethos of creating environmentally friendly bags from recycled materials — a mission that strongly resonates with both my wife and me. By choosing to invest in uppercase, I feel proud to be part of a movement that aligns with my values and aspirations for a more sustainable planet.”
“It’s the way Uppercase has built something meaningful in a space that’s very cluttered. Their focus on sustainable materials, functionality, and design, and the fact that they’re doing it all out of India — was really impressive. Whether it’s long tours or short trips, I know the small things that make a big difference in a bag. I want the design to be clean, functional, and genuinely useful —especially for people who travel often, like athletes or professionals,” Bumrah adde.
Sudip Ghose, Managing Director and Founder of uppercase, said, “We are thrilled to have Jasprit not just as the face of uppercase, but now as an integral part of our family. His commitment, resilience, and innovative mindset truly reflect the core values of our brand. With Jasprit by our side, we are excited to shape a new chapter — one that blends purpose, performance, and innovation in the world of travel.”
“While we have stores in metros like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Bengaluru, we also have stores in Sonipat, Wayanad, Prayagraj, and other Tier II cities and we see a lot of action there too. That’s why we’ve kept the prices attractive. Since this is a designer brand, but we wanted to keep it affordable so we can reach the maximum number of people. The JB line however will come at a premium since it will be a custom design & exclusive line,” said Ghose.
Founded in 2021 by Sudip Ghose, Uday Sodhi, Arnob Mondal Kumar, Shivaprasad Eregowda, Nidhi Rajora and Dheeraj Goyal, uppercase designs and manufactures eco-friendly travel gear including hard luggage bags, backpacks, duffel bags, and office satchels. Uppercase offers sustainable backpacks, duffle bags and luggage across multiple channels.
In August 2024, uppercase raised $9 million in a Series B funding round led by Accel.
It currently operates 1,600 points of sale across India and plans to expand to 4,000. Currently operating 17 stores across India, including in Tier II cities, the brand is eyeing an expansion to 50 stores by the end of FY25. The company is also looking to break even by FY28 and targets an Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) of over Rs 200 crore by the end of this financial year.
