Built, an Indian direct-to-consumer footwear startup focused on natural movement shoes, has raised $2 million in a funding round led by Singapore’s Tanglin Venture Partners with participation from Bharat Kalia. The capital will support new product launches, team growth, and supply chain enhancement.
- Raised $2M led by Tanglin Venture Partners
- Focus on natural movement and performance footwear
- Plans to expand SKUs and strengthen supply chain
What happened
Built, a Mumbai-based direct-to-consumer footwear startup, announced a $2 million funding round led by Singapore’s Tanglin Venture Partners along with Bharat Kalia. The startup was founded recently by Vijayant Dhaka, formerly from PolicyBazaar, and Vedant Lamba, founder of Mainstreet Marketplace. The company aims to design footwear that encourages natural foot biomechanics using features such as wider toe boxes, minimal heel drops, and enhanced flexibility.
Built currently markets its debut natural movement footwear available in four colors, as well as a line of clothing and accessories for both men and women. The funds will be used to launch new products, increase the size of their team, and enhance supply chain operations through partnerships with contract manufacturers and raw material suppliers.
Why it matters
This funding marks a significant advancement for Built as it enters a growing Indian market for specialized performance footwear tailored to young professionals and sports enthusiasts. The startup emphasizes a scientific approach to footwear design, integrating biomechanics and material science, positioning itself as an innovation-driven brand rather than an import adaptor.
Investor interest in the Indian D2C footwear sector has surged recently, with brands like Gully Labs and Comet also closing multi-million dollar deals. These shifts reflect a broader market trend of Gen Z consumers driving demand for high-quality, design-focused, and locally developed sneaker and activewear brands.
What to watch next
Built plans to expand its product range from the currently available two footwear variants to a portfolio of 20 SKUs spanning shoes, apparel, and accessories. The startup’s immediate priorities include enhancing its research and development capabilities and strengthening its supply chain network to support scalable production.
Monitors should keep an eye on Built’s market traction among India’s younger working professionals who engage in sports like tennis, squash, and pickleball. How effectively Built executes its natural movement performance promise and grows its brand will be critical to capturing market share in a competitive emergence of Indian D2C footwear startups.