Yoho Expands Growth Playbook with New Funding, AI-Led Retail Strategy, and Performance Footwear Focus
Delhi‑based sneaker brand Yoho plans to scale its offline footprint with 2,500 MBOs and AI‑driven EBOs, while expanding its performance running range in India’s fast‑growing sneaker market.
Direct-to-consumer footwear brand Yoho has closed a new funding round from new and existing investors.
New Delhi [India], May 21: The Delhi-based startup previously raised ₹27 crore in a Pre-Series A round in 2022, backed by Gulf Islamic Investments, Rajeev Misra, Rukam Capital, and Vijay Shekhar Sharma.Fresh Capital to Support Expansion Plans
The fresh capital will be deployed toward expanding Yoho’s offline retail footprint and scaling its performance running range. Since its 2021 launch, Yoho has sold over three million+ pairs of footwear across its own website (yoholife.in) and major e-commerce platforms including Amazon, Myntra, Flipkart, Ajio, and Nykaa. The brand has also established a presence on quick commerce platforms — Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart.India’s Growing Sneaker Market
India’s sneaker market is among the fastest-growing in Asia-Pacific, expected to reach USD 6 billion by FY32 on the back of a young, fashion-conscious population and the rising wave of athleisure culture. For a homegrown D2C brand like Yoho — competing on comfort, design, and performance — the timing couldn’t be better.Offline Retail and AI-Led Store Expansion
On the offline front, Yoho is targeting partnerships with 2,500 Multi-Brand Outlets (MBOs) across tier I and tier II cities. The company also plans to expand on Exclusive Brand Outlets (EBOs) that will integrate AI-driven solutions to address fitting issues, reduce returns, and optimize inventory management.Focus on Performance Running Segment
Building on the strong reception to its Catapult with Carbonburst™️ shoes — designed specifically for marathon runners — Yoho plans to broaden its performance running portfolio.Investor Commentary
Pankaj Gupta of GII said: “In a cluttered market, true differentiation is everything. Ahmad and Prateek demonstrated exactly that — a sharp, distinctive perspective on a massive opportunity that immediately aligned with GII’s investment thesis.”Founded by Ahmad Hushsham and Prateek Singhal, Yoho offers casual and formal footwear for both men and women, positioning itself at the intersection of comfort, design, and performance.
