New Delhi | 23 September 2026: Indian Walker, India’s carry‑first streetwear brand, has raised a pre‑seed round at a post‑money valuation of INR 20 crore from Palette Wealth Management (PWM).
The company is part of the CoFounder Circle (CFC) Venture Studio, founded by entrepreneur Darpan Sanghvi, and this marks its first round of growth capital as it prepares for the next phase of expansion.
Founder’s Journey
- Md. Sakib, Founder & CEO, started Indian Walker after working as a Rapido captain during Covid.
- His experience on Delhi’s roads highlighted the gap in streetwear carry: bags were either generic and mass‑produced or premium and unaffordable.
- In July 2025, Sakib founded Indian Walker to create street‑first designs, tested on Indian roads, and priced for young Indians moving up.
Funding Utilisation
- Inventory expansion to meet growing demand.
- New SKUs added to the Level Up collection.
- Building core team across marketing, social, and operations.
- Targeting ₹100 crore ARR and 1 lakh+ customers within 24 months.
Product Highlights
- Mid‑premium streetwear carry for young Indian consumers.
- Core backpacks priced between ₹2,000 – ₹4,000.
- Level Up collection led by the Stride backpack has sold 10,000+ units since launch in July 2025.
- Current sales via D2C website; launching soon on Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, followed by quick‑commerce channels.
Md. Sakib, Founder & CEO, Indian Walker: “I didn’t start Indian Walker in a boardroom. I started it on Delhi’s roads, with my whole day on my back. Streetwear gave my generation sneakers and tees that said who we are, but nobody made the bag. That’s what we’re building. MOVE UP means you start where you are and you keep going. This round lets us build more of those bags, keep them in stock and put the right team behind them.”
Kuldeep Sikarwar, Founder, Palette Wealth Management: “What drew us to Indian Walker was how clearly Sakib had spotted something the market had overlooked: everyday carry in India sat at two extremes, either generic and mass‑produced or premium and unreachable. What gave us conviction was the execution. Sakib runs the business with discipline on product quality and unit economics, and demand has been running ahead of inventory. This round puts capital exactly where the business needs it.”
Pavan Guntupalli, Co‑Founder, Rapido: “Sakib’s journey from being a Rapido captain to building and raising capital for his own consumer brand is a testament to what is possible when someone is willing to learn, take risks and keep building. It is fulfilling to see someone who has been part of your journey go on to build something of their own. Indian Walker is an exciting next step for Sakib, and I am genuinely happy to see him and the team reach this milestone.”
Philosophy: MOVE UP
- Reflects both the founder’s personal journey and the mindset of young India.
- Embodies the idea of starting where you are and continually moving forward.
- For the brand, MOVE UP is about hustle, ambition, and self‑expression.
- Sakib is the first proof of MOVE UP; every Indian Walker customer is the next.
Future Plans
- Deepen product categories and expand distribution.
- Build a consumer community of 1 lakh+.
- Grow carry into a profitable ₹1,000 crore business.
About Indian Walker
Founded in 2025 by Md. Sakib, Indian Walker is India’s carry‑first streetwear brand, creating mid‑premium backpacks and carry solutions designed for young Indian consumers.
The brand combines street‑first design, affordability, and durability, aiming to redefine everyday carry for India’s Gen Z and millennial audiences.
