Direct-to-consumer (D2C) footwear startup CHK has successfully raised $2.5 million in a recent funding round, led by Accel, alongside investments from Bluestone, a leading jewellery retailer, and other investors. This follows a previous investment in November 2024, where Bluestone contributed approximately Rs 12 crore (about $1.3 million) to the company.

CHK plans to use the newly raised funds to scale its production capacity and enhance research and development (R&D) initiatives in anticipation of its public launch in April 2025. The funds will also support the company’s overall expansion strategy, as it aims to position itself as a leader in the footwear market.

Founded in October 2024 by Sankar Bora, Deepan Babu, Bharat Mahajan, and Deepak Patil, CHK specializes in designing, manufacturing, and selling premium and mass-premium footwear. The company employs a unique “concept to creation” model, which allows it to oversee the entire production process from design to finished product. This innovative approach enables CHK to create high-quality footwear tailored to the needs of its target customers.

Sankar Bora, a seasoned entrepreneur who co-founded DealShare, was part of the team until his departure in November 2023. Under the leadership of the remaining co-founders, CHK has rapidly grown and established a manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu. The company plans to kickstart sales through its dedicated D2C website before expanding into offline retail channels.

Currently, CHK employs around 25 people across Bengaluru and Tamil Nadu, and with its upcoming public launch, the company intends to scale up its workforce to 100 employees by April 2025. The company’s products are expected to be priced around Rs 4,500, positioning CHK as an accessible brand for a wide range of consumers.

As part of India’s new regulations for footwear manufacturing, the Indian government requires shoe brand factories to obtain certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). This has prompted many companies, including CHK, to manage design and manufacturing in-house or partner with domestic production capabilities. CHK has already applied for BIS certification and expects to receive approval by April 2025.

CHK is set to revolutionize the footwear market with its premium offerings, combining quality, innovation, and a strong commitment to sustainability as it prepares to launch publicly in the coming months.