The brand fusing Indian culture with streetwear just got major investor love. Is this India’s answer to Nike? – Here’s Why Gully Labs Is the Next Big Streetwear Giant
Move over, global sneaker brands. A new homegrown name is rising fast — and it’s not just making noise, it’s turning heads in boardrooms too.
Gully Labs, a premium Indian sneaker brand blending high-fashion streetwear with rich Indian cultural storytelling, has just raised a ₹8.7 crore seed funding round led by Zeropearl VC, with participation from marquee angel investors.
That’s ₹7.6 crore in equity and ₹1.1 crore in venture debt — a serious power move for a brand that only launched in 2022, but has already become a buzzword among Gen-Z sneakerheads.
What Makes Gully Labs So Different?
Born from India’s bustling gullies (streets), Gully Labs isn’t just another “fashion” brand. It’s about narrative-driven footwear — each sneaker line is inspired by subcultures, street stories, and Indian identity.
Founder Abhishek Rawal and his team have focused on:
Limited edition drops tied to regional themes.
Handcrafted detailing using premium materials.
Community-led storytelling on Instagram and Discord.
“India has lacked a culturally-rooted sneaker brand that resonates with its own people. Gully Labs is filling that space,” Rawal said in an interview with YourStory.
Where’s the Money Going?
According to The Economic Times, the funds will be used for:
Expanding the product portfolio – New sneaker lines, apparel, accessories.
Boosting D2C channels – Website optimization, influencer campaigns.
Offline Retail Push – Flagship store launches in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru.
R&D for comfort tech – Integrating sneaker performance with Indian climate needs.
Zeropearl VC partner Ravi Vaidya said, “We believe Gully Labs can be India’s first streetwear unicorn. It’s not just a product; it’s a movement.”
Internet Is Already Talking
Their last drop — the “Gully Rise 2.0” sneaker — sold out in under 6 minutes. That’s Supreme-level hype.
Instagram reels and YouTube unboxings are pouring in, with fashion creators like Ranveer Allahbadia, Komal Pandey, and BeerBiceps praising its aesthetic blend of India-meets-global.
Video References:
Check out these sneaker breakdowns from creators: Achint Chawla provides a detailed review and on-feet look at the Gully Labs Baaz Series:
Why Gully Labs Might Be India’s Nike
Here’s what makes Gully Labs a standout:
Feature | Global Brands | Gully Labs |
|---|---|---|
Cultural Identity | Generic | Deep Indian stories |
Drop Strategy | Standard | Limited editions |
Customer Loyalty | Brand-first | Community-first |
Pricing | Premium | Affordable-luxury |
Gully Labs understands that the modern Indian buyer wants more than status — they want identity, authenticity, and expression.
SEO Growth + Brand Power = Unicorn Potential?
From a growth perspective:
Search volume for “Gully Labs sneakers” is up 400% in 6 months.
Instagram followers crossed 250k, with 5% engagement — far above industry average.
The brand’s waitlist boasts over 12,000 buyers for the next drop.
As an SEO and brand-building expert, here’s a big insight: Gully Labs is winning because it doesn’t just sell sneakers — it sells a story.
What’s Next?
Expect collabs with Indian artists, entry into global streetwear expos, and even NFT-based sneaker authentication in the next year.
They’re also eyeing international drops in Dubai and Singapore to test global Indian diaspora demand.
In a world flooded with clone brands, Gully Labs is uniquely Indian, proudly rooted, and globally ambitious. With this new funding round, the brand is poised to shake up not just the Indian sneaker scene, but possibly the global one too.
If you haven’t copped a pair yet — good luck. The next drop is already a waitlist warzone.
References:
ET Tech: Gully Labs raises ₹8.7 crore, YourStory Interview with Founder Abhishek Rawal, Gully Labs Instagram
Also Read: Udaan Raises $114 Million in Series G Round to Accelerate Growth Ahead of IPO
