“People do not want to wear logos, they want to wear meaning,” Co-founders of An Indian Sneaker Brand That’s Worth ₹167 Cr in just 2 Year

The sneaker culture, once unique to the Western world is now a regular phenomenon in India as well.

It’s not about comfort or sports, but rather an expression of status and culture. 

In an era where India’s youth is embracing global fashion trends faster than ever, a homegrown sneaker brand is stepping into the spotlight - literally and culturally. 

Comet isn’t just another D2C label trying to make a dent in the market; it’s a bold, design-led movement that’s reimagining what it means to wear sneakers.

Founded in 2023 by Utkarsh Gupta and Dishant Daryani, Comet is not only challenging global giants like Nike and Adidas on quality and aesthetics, it’s rewriting the rules of brand-building by blending art, aspiration, and storytelling. 

What started as an idea between two sneakerheads has quickly evolved into one of India’s fastest-growing fashion brands, with ₹4–5 crore in monthly sales, a cult-like Instagram following, and an unmistakable design language.

Meet the Founders 

In a world where global sneaker giants dominate wardrobes and city streets alike, two Indian entrepreneurs dared to dream differently. 

Utkarsh Gupta and Dishant Daryani, the co-founders of Comet, weren’t your average startup duo. 

They didn’t come from fashion school or sneaker factories, but what they did bring was razor-sharp business acumen, a shared obsession with sneakers, and a deep, intuitive understanding of the modern Indian consumer.

Between the two of them, they had resumes that read like the inside of a B-school brochure. 

Utkarsh went to The London School of Economics & did his MBA from Kellogg School of Managementa and went on to work at Hotstar. 

Dishant was equally accomplished — an IIT Bombay grad who went to Harvard Business School, followed by leadership roles at Urban Company. 

The co-founders initially met when they were both working at Bain & Company.

But beneath those titles was something more powerful: a genuine love for the product they wanted to build.

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Their Shared Love for Sneakers 

Both Utkarsh and Dishant grew up as sneaker lovers - not just wearing them, but noticing the little things others didn’t.

The textures. The shapes. The stories brands told.

It wasn’t just footwear - it was fashion, identity, self-expression.

“I always joke with my friends that I did an MBA in sneakers,” Utkarsh shared, recalling his time in the U.S. 

He wasn’t exaggerating. During his years in Chicago, he found himself completely immersed in sneaker and streetwear culture — from street murals to Nike pop-ups and campus hype. 

That cultural immersion left a lasting mark. 

He had an equally sneaker-crazy roommate who was interviewing for a job at Nike.

“We’d spend hours geeking out over sneakers, fashion drops, and how brands build loyalty,” Utkarsh said. 

Identifying the Market Gap 

“I was always clear that I wanted to build something in India. But when I looked around at the sneaker market here, it was growing... just without aspiration,” Utkarsh said on the Day One podcast.

That word — aspiration — would shape everything Comet stood for.

Global brands like Nike and Adidas were available but expensive and lacked Indian cultural relevance. What was missing was a homegrown brand offering global quality with an Indian identity.

Before launching Comet, Utkarsh and Dishant took a consultant’s approach — market research by day, people-watching by night. They noticed a clear trend: young Indians loved sneakers but faced a dilemma.

“Everyone was thinking about shoes at some level,” Utkarsh said. “But the affordable brands weren’t cool enough, and the cool brands weren’t affordable enough.”

Despite the sneaker market growing at 13–14% CAGR, the “mass premium” space — stylish yet accessible sneakers — was largely untapped.

“We realized there was a cultural and economic sweet spot,” Dishant explained. “A ₹4,000–₹5,000 sneaker that looked and felt like a ₹10,000 one, but with stories and aesthetics that actually felt Indian.”

Rather than competing with global giants, they built something different.

“We wanted to create a brand that people didn’t just wear — they felt a part of,” said Dishant. “And that meant paying attention to not just the product, but the story, the culture, the emotion behind it.”

In 2023, Comet was born — a brand Indians could truly call their own.

COMET - An Aspirational Footwear Brand

After months of brainstorming, redesigning, and second-guessing every little detail, Comet finally launched. 

No big celebrity endorsements, no massive product lineup, just a clear purpose: to create India’s own premium sneaker brand that combines great design, top-notch quality, and a story in every pair.

From day one, Comet positioned itself as a brand that didn’t just make shoes — it made sneakers with soul.

“We are not just making sneakers — we are building a brand that is part of how this generation expresses itself. We see ourselves as the disruptors—not chasing legacy, but building the future of Indian sneaker culture,” said Utkarsh Gupta, Co-Founder of Comet.

Comet currently offers approximately 40–45 SKUs across three distinct silhouettes, including its latest Aeons line. 

The brand’s USP is rooted in a unique Indian design voice combined with a global design sensibility. 

“A fresh Indian design voice that does not feel watered down. We take global trends and remix them with an Indian context — bold palettes, sharp storytelling, and genuine craftsmanship. Also, comfort. We obsess over fit and feel just as much as aesthetics,” emphasized Utkarsh.

Each of those styles are crafted with obsessive attention to detail. 

From custom sole molds and high-rebound foam to vegan leather uppers and distinctive stitch work, the goal was clear: to deliver design and performance on par with international labels — without the international price tag.

Behind the scenes, the team spent months testing fit, comfort, materials, and packaging.

“We went through version after version,” Dishant shared. “Just on the heel tab design alone, we must’ve made 20 prototypes.”

Mass Premium Sneakers for the Indian Audience

In a market where most design-forward sneakers start at ₹8,000 and go beyond ₹12,000, Comet’s ₹4,000 price point stands out.

“In India, people are value-conscious, not cheap,” Utkarsh explained. “If someone feels like they got more than what they paid for—that’s a win. That’s what we optimize for.”

This philosophy shaped every detail—from sourcing materials to crafting proprietary molds. Comet sneakers aren’t just stylish; they’re built for comfort, durability, and long-term wear.

Each pair has over 38 unique components, all custom-designed—from outsoles to branding.

“Shoes are more technical than most people think,” Dishant said. “When we say we obsess over detail, we mean it. From mold design to the sole branding, everything is custom.”

Instead of using stock components, Comet builds from scratch—from high-rebound foam to distinct stitch patterns.

“We’re not just slapping our logo on stock shoes and calling it a day,” Utkarsh added. “We’re building from the ground up.”

The result?

A sneaker that feels premium in hand, on foot, and in the mirror—without breaking the bank.

Comet hits a sweet spot: priced just high enough to feel aspirational, yet affordable enough to repurchase. It’s not budget or luxury—it’s affordable-premium, with personality.

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Brand Philosophy

At first glance, Comet might seem like just another D2C sneaker brand with cool drops and clean aesthetics. But speak to the founders, and you’ll quickly realize they see it very differently.

“We think of Comet as a hospitality company that happens to sell sneakers,” Dishant shared with a smile.

It’s an unusual analogy—but one that makes perfect sense once you understand the brand’s DNA. 

Just like a great hotel remembers your preferences, greets you with warmth, and makes even the small moments feel intentional, Comet strives to do the same at every customer touchpoint.

From the typography on their product pages to the weight and texture of their packaging, to the tone of voice in their Instagram captions—nothing is random.

“We want to make people feel like they’re part of something special,” Dishant explained. “And that requires being obsessive about every detail.”

It’s why they spend hours sweating the stuff most brands overlook—like the unboxing experience, the naming of each drop, and even how a sneaker looks on a reel vs. a real foot. It’s why customer support is handled in-house. Why their Instagram doesn’t feel like a sales pitch—but more like a friend with great taste showing you their latest pickup.

Innovations in the Sneakerverse

From the start, Comet wanted to build hype, culture, and community. 

Instead of flooding the market, they leaned into drop culture, drawing inspiration from streetwear giants like Nike and Supreme, but with an Indian twist.

Limited-edition releases like Mango, Jugnu, Skribble, and Pataka weren’t just colorways—they were cultural moments. Each drop had its own mood board, vibe, and fan anticipation.

“People lined up digitally,” Dishant recalled. “We had someone comment ‘Day 70 of asking for Jugnu to be restocked,’” he laughed. “That was our aha moment. We realized we were onto something.”

Shoes sold out in minutes. DMs poured in. Fans ran “cop or drop?” polls and shared their pairs like trophies. But it wasn’t just hype—it was the product.

Unlike many Indian brands that white-label, Comet built everything in-house—custom soles, molds, cushioning, and silhouettes.

“We didn’t want to build on someone else’s template,” Utkarsh said. “Every piece had to be ours—visually, functionally, emotionally.”

“People do not want to wear logos — they want to wear meaning. Sneakerheads in India are becoming collectors, so we are experimenting with limited drops and collabs,” Utkarsh asserted.

Comet’s edge also lies in its storytelling-first approach to design. 

“Design first, always. Every pair we create begins with a story — something that sparks curiosity, emotion, or nostalgia. Whether it's the playful chaos of color in our Holi Special sneakers, or the lunar textures that inspired Crater, which draws from the surface of the moon, not city streets, our sneakers are rooted in meaning,” the Utkarsh mentioned.

With bold drops, in-house R&D, and design rooted in emotion and innovation, Comet carved out a space no other Indian sneaker brand had touched.

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A Rs 167 Cr Valuation

In July 2024, Comet closed its Series A round, raising ₹42.3 crore (approximately $5 million) at a post-money valuation of about ₹167 crore (around $20 million). The round was led by Elevation Capital with ₹33.36 crore, alongside existing investor Nexus Venture Partners contributing ₹8.34 crore and AngelList India ₹60 lakh.

The funding involved issuing 10 equity shares and 50,076 Series A Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares (CCPS) at an issue price of ₹8,445 per share. 

This valuation reflects strong investor confidence in Comet’s unique approach within India’s growing sneaker market, projected to reach ₹21,000 crore.

Co-founder Utkarsh Gupta said on the Day One podcast, “We had reviews coming in on Slack that we would read in real-time. People weren’t just buying our shoes; they were talking about them, recommending them. That kind of love validated the investment.”

The capital will be used to accelerate product innovation, expand marketing efforts, and develop offline retail presence, aiming to strengthen Comet’s position in the “mass premium” sneaker segment with a strong cultural identity.

Revenue & Success

Despite being a relatively new entrant in the Indian sneaker market, Comet has demonstrated remarkable growth and traction. 

The brand closed the financial year 2023-24 with a revenue of ₹7.86 crore and currently registers monthly sales in the range of ₹4–5 crore, reflecting a rapid scaling trajectory.

Comet’s success goes beyond topline numbers, backed by strong unit economics with healthy gross margins from cost control, proprietary design, and direct-to-consumer sales. Low return rates reflect the product quality and effective customer education.

Loyal customers drive growth through repeat purchases and referrals, creating a passionate community. 

This emotional connection and ongoing innovation have secured Comet’s unique place in the “mass premium” sneaker segment.

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Vision for future 

Comet's founders, Utkarsh Gupta and Dishant Daryani, have a clear and ambitious vision: to establish Comet as the most beloved sneaker brand in India.

As Dishant shared in the Day One podcast, "We want to be in every tier 1 and tier 2 city. But more than that, we want our customers to keep knocking on our door when something is out of stock. That’s real product-market fit."

Their scaling strategy combines a digital-first (D2C) approach with a growing offline presence. 

Comet primarily sells through its website, which accounts for the majority of its revenue. What’s been especially encouraging is the surprising traction from Tier II cities — places like Chandigarh and Pune — where customers are discovering the brand online and becoming loyal fans.

“We are seeing a lot of love from Tier II cities via D2C,” Utkarsh explained. “So we’re planning pop-ups, collabs, and community events in those regions. Offline is less about scale, more about presence and experience.”

Comet opened its first flagship store in Bengaluru in April 2025 and now plans to expand to Delhi and Mumbai. 

“Opening our Bangalore flagship was not just retail. Offline brings the brand to life through all five senses. With new stores coming to Delhi and Mumbai, each space is crafted as a living extension of what Comet represents,” said Utkarsh.

Each retail space is designed as a living extension of the brand, bringing Comet to life through all five senses.

“We’re not chasing numbers for the sake of growth,” Utkarsh said. “We’re building culture — one sneaker at a time. We want Comet to be part of people’s lives, their memories, their style statements.”