Comet Raises Rs. 100 Cr Series B Funding To Build India’s Next Big Sneaker Brand

Indian sneaker startup Comet has raised Rs. 100 Cr in a Series B funding round led by global investment firm Verlinvest. Existing backers Elevation Capital and Nexus Venture Partners also joined the round, showing continued confidence in the young D2C footwear brand.

The funding comes at a time when Indian shoppers are looking beyond basic shoes. Sneakers are now part of personal style, college fashion, office casual wear, and weekend dressing. Comet wants to use this shift to build a homegrown sneaker brand that can stand beside global names, but with designs and pricing made for Indian consumers.

What is Comet and who founded it

Comet is a Bengaluru-based lifestyle sneaker brand founded by Utkarsh Gupta and Dishant Daryani in 2023 with the idea of creating a homegrown sneaker label focused on design, quality, comfort, and storytelling.

The brand sells sneakers and slides through its own website and is also building a stronger offline retail presence. Its products are positioned for young Indian buyers who want fashionable sneakers without always going for expensive international labels.

In simple terms, Comet is trying to make sneakers feel less like a foreign trend and more like an Indian lifestyle product.

Why this Rs. 100 Cr funding matters

The fresh Series B round gives Comet more money to grow faster. According to reports, the company plans to use the funding for retail expansion, product development, technology, and research and development.

A big part of the plan is physical retail. Footwear is one category where many customers still prefer trying the product before buying. A sneaker may look good online, but the real decision often happens when someone checks the fit, cushioning, grip, and comfort in a store.

Comet is expected to reach 10 stores this month and aims to expand to 20 stores by the end of FY27. This shows that the brand is not depending only on online ads and website sales. It wants to build an omnichannel business, where customers can discover products online and also experience them offline.

What Comet wants to build next

Comet is also investing in its own sole moulds and tooling. This may sound technical, but the idea is simple. Instead of using standard shoe parts, the brand wants more control over how its sneakers feel, fit, and perform.

At present, Comet has four footwear models. The company plans to double this to eight models by next year. It is also working on a sneaker model designed especially for women, with its own sole tooling.

This is important because many sneaker brands still treat women’s footwear as a smaller version of men’s shoes. If Comet builds products around real comfort, fit, and style needs, it could find a strong audience among women buyers too.

The bigger aim of the startup

Comet’s aim is not just to sell shoes. It wants to create an Indian sneaker culture around design, identity, and community.

That is why its branding matters. The company has built a strong social media following and uses drops, collaborations, and limited designs to keep customers interested. This approach is common in global sneaker culture, where people do not just buy shoes for utility, but also for expression.

For example, a college student may buy Comet because it feels stylish and different. A young working professional may choose it because it looks premium but still feels more accessible than some imported sneaker brands. This is the market gap Comet is trying to own.

Who are Comet’s competitors

Comet operates in a crowded footwear market. Its competitors include global sneaker brands such as Nike, Adidas, and Puma, along with Indian footwear players like Redtape, Campus, and Sparx.

It also competes with new-age and homegrown footwear brands such as Neeman’s, 7-10, and other D2C lifestyle labels. The challenge is clear. Comet has to offer strong design, comfort, quality, and brand value while keeping prices attractive for Indian buyers.

Still, the opportunity is large. India has a young consumer base, growing sneaker interest, and a rising comfort-fashion trend. If Comet can keep its product quality consistent while expanding stores, it may become one of the stronger Indian names in the lifestyle footwear space.

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