Footwear Startup BUILT Raises $2 Million for 'Natural Movement' Shoes
India-based D2C footwear startup BUILT has secured $2 million in pre-seed funding. The company aims to expand the 'natural movement' footwear category in India, investing in R&D and production capabilities.
BUILT, a direct-to-consumer (D2C) footwear startup based in India, has raised $2 million (approximately ₹17 Cr) in a pre-seed funding round led by Singapore-based venture capital firm Tanglin Venture Partners. The capital will be used to scale the company's offerings in the 'natural movement' footwear segment.
The startup plans to allocate the funds towards research and development, proprietary tooling, product design, and enhancing manufacturing capabilities, including the development of custom footwear molds. The investment will also support inventory expansion as production scales.
Founded earlier this year by Vedant Lamba and Vijayant Dhaka, BUILT focuses on footwear designed to promote natural foot movement. These shoes typically feature wider toe boxes, minimal heel drop, and greater flexibility, contrasting with what the founders describe as mainstream sneakers that prioritize cushioning and aesthetics over foot health.
BUILT aims to introduce barefoot-inspired footwear to mainstream fitness consumers by blending functional performance with premium design. The company currently offers two main shoe silhouettes and is expanding into activewear. Unlike competitors that might use standard molds, BUILT emphasizes its investment in proprietary molds for greater product control.
The company operates on a D2C model, selling exclusively through its website. While global brands in the natural movement space include Vivobarefoot and Xero Shoes, BUILT is positioning itself to grow this niche category within the Indian market, competing eventually with larger performance footwear brands.