FUNDING

Indian Walker Raises Pre-Seed Funding at ₹20 Crore Valuation: From Rapido Captain to Streetwear Brand Success

By Karostartup

Details About the Indian Walker Funding

How Did Indian Walker Start?

Md. Sakib founded Indian Walker in 2025. Before starting the brand, he worked as a Rapido captain in Delhi after losing his job during the COVID period. He has said the idea came from real experience on the roads, carrying his whole day on his back.

In his words: “I didn’t start Indian Walker in a boardroom. I started it on Delhi’s roads. Streetwear gave my generation sneakers and tees that said who we are, but nobody made the bag. That’s what we’re building. MOVE UP means you start where you are and you keep going.”

The company is incubated under CoFounder Circle (CFC) Venture Studio, founded by entrepreneur Darpan Sanghvi.

What Does Indian Walker Sell?

Indian Walker focuses on carry products, mainly backpacks designed for everyday use with a streetwear edge.

• Core backpacks are priced between ₹2000 and ₹4000 (mid-premium range).

• The flagship is the Level Up collection, led by the Stride backpack.

• The Stride and related products have sold more than 10,000 units since launch.

The brand currently sells only through its direct-to-consumer (D2C) website. It plans to expand soon to major marketplaces.

How Will the Funding Be Used?

The fresh capital will be used in three main areas. First, a significant portion will go toward building inventory. Strong demand has already created stock shortages, so increasing supply is a top priority.

Second, the company plans to expand its core product categories and add new stock-keeping units (SKUs) to the Level Up collection. This means more design options and variations for customers who already like the existing range.

Third, Indian Walker will strengthen its team. The brand plans to hire and build capacity in marketing, social media, and operations. These roles will support wider reach and smoother day-to-day functioning as the company grows.

Palette Wealth Management founder Kuldeep Sikawar has pointed to the gap between demand and inventory, along with the company’s attention to quality and unit economics, as reasons for the investment.

What Are Indian Walker’s Growth Plans?

Over the next 24 months, Indian Walker has set clear targets. The company aims to reach ₹100 crore in annual recurring revenue (ARR) and build a customer base of more than one lakh people.

On the distribution side, the brand plans to move beyond its current D2C website. In the next quarter, it intends to launch on major marketplaces including Amazon, Flipkart, and Myntra. After that, it will explore quick-commerce platforms and other marketplace channels.

This multi-channel approach is expected to make the products easier to find and buy for a much larger group of customers. Expanding availability while keeping product quality consistent will be an important part of the next phase.

What to Expect Next from Indian Walker

In the coming months, watch for new product additions under the Level Up collection, improved stock availability, and the brand’s appearance on major e-commerce platforms. Stronger marketing and social media activity are also likely as the team expands.

Indian Walker’s pre-seed round is a clear example of early-stage capital supporting a focused, culture-driven consumer brand in India. By using the funds to solve inventory issues, grow the product range, and build the right team, the company is preparing for its next stage of growth. As distribution expands, more people will have the chance to try the bags that started on Delhi’s roads and are now moving toward a much wider audience.