Startup Story Team
Founded in 2018 by brothers Taran Chhabra and Amar Preet Singh, Neeman’s emerged from a simple yet powerful idea: create a shoe that’s comfortable, stylish, and eco-friendly. Based in Hyderabad, the startup introduced India’s first merino-wool sneaker, redefining footwear norms in a market dominated by synthetic and leather materials.
From Travel Frustration to Footwear Innovation:
Taran, then in the U.S., found himself packing multiple shoes for travel-casual sneakers, formal footwear, and more. He realized the absurdity of needing so many pairs and began wondering why a single versatile shoe wasn’t available. Motivated by this question, he and Amar spent years exploring global shoe hubs, discovering that most footwear relied on chemically processed or synthetic fabrics. Their quest led them to merino wool-a soft, breathable, odour-resistant, and seasonally adaptable natural fibre.
In partnership with Woolmark Australia, Neeman’s developed proprietary merino-wool fabric tailored for the Indian climate. Manufacturing involved a South Korean mill for fabric production and a Chinese facility for assembly before final dispatch from Hyderabad .
Crafting Earth-Friendly Shoes:
Neeman’s design philosophy revolves around natural and recycled materials:
- Merino wool uppers for year-round comfort and odour control
- Insoles featuring recycled rubber and castor-bean oil
- Later lines incorporated organic cotton, recycled PET bottle fabric (ReLive Knits), bamboo fibres, and recycled tire soles
Expanding the Product Line:
Following the success of its wool sneakers, Neeman’s diversified:
- Cotton canvas sneakers (“Cotton Classics”), launched in 2021 for around ₹2,999
- Loafers, joggers, slides, flip-flops, slip-ons
- Innovation-focused lines like ReLive Knits-each pair using 8 recycled PET bottles-and eco-flips made with recycled tire flats
Funding the Journey:
Neeman’s bootstrapped initially, raising nearly $1 million in pre-Series A funding led by Anicut Angel Fund in March 2020. By mid-2022, it had secured approximately $9.8 million across multiple rounds, including a Series B led by Sixth Sense Ventures. The financial support has fueled product development, category expansion, and international-market entry.
Go-to-Market Strategy:
Operating on a direct-to-consumer (D2C) model, Neeman’s began on its own website before expanding to platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, Nykaa, and CRED. In 2023, it made its offline debut with 18 exclusive stores across Tier-II and Tier-III cities like Indore, Kozhikode, Trivandrum, and Lucknow . The brand aims to grow to 100 stores over the next two years.
Impact & Recognition:
Neeman’s has served over 3.5 million customers, earning praise for its “comfort meets sustainability” mission. The brand was honored as an “Emerging Brand” and “Gamechanger” in consumer space in 2018–19.
Ambitious Growth Ahead:
With plans to reach ₹400 crore in annual revenue within two years and expand its retail footprint, Neeman’s is on track to become a major player in Indian sustainable fashion. The focus remains on natural innovation, environmentally-conscious manufacturing, and stylish, versatile designs for all age groups.
