Brands
Campus Activewear launches chunky sneaker collection with Sonam Bajwa
Mumbai: Campus Activewear, one of India’s largest sports and athleisure footwear brands, has consistently delivered products that merge functionality with fashion, and now, with Sonam Bajwa’s influence, the brand aims to set new pathways with the launch of the chunky sneaker collection.
Campus Activewear aims to revolutionise the fashion, style and comfort quotient for women in their daily lives. By welcoming Sonam Bajwa into the fold, Campus aims to heighten the aspirational appeal, catering to a fashion-forward audience. According to Statista, a global data and business intelligence platform, the sneaker culture in India is forecasted to generate a revenue of Rs 21,000 cr by the end of 2023. This clearly states that the sneaker culture in India is here to stay; it’s not just a trend but a cultural shift. This is because sneakers are now perceived as more than just shoes; they embody a lifestyle, a statement, and a commitment to both comfort and style.
Speaking on the association, Campus Activewear Ltd CEO Nikhil Aggarwal said “With a charismatic personality and an impeccable sense of style, Sonam Bajwa is a name that resonates across India, particularly in our key markets of Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. Known as a fashion icon among diverse strata of society, Sonam effortlessly connects with the youth of India, making her a perfect face for Campus Activewear.”
Campus Activewear believes that sneakers effortlessly blend style and comfort, making a unique fashion statement. The Chunky sneaker collection embodies fashion, comfort, and style, tailored to meet the demands of the contemporary Indian lifestyle.
A versatile actress celebrated for her outstanding performances in the Indian film industry, Sonam Bajwa expresses her excitement about this collaboration. She said, “I am thrilled to be associated with Campus Activewear, a brand that values comfort and style just as much as I do. Together, we aim to establish new fashion paradigms and inspire the youth to embrace an active lifestyle without compromising their fashion statement.”
This collection will introduce stylish designs and colours in the athleisure market that can be worn in almost any occasion. The collection starts at a price range of Rs 1500 onwards and is available across Campus touch points and website www.campusshoes.com.
Brands
Aman Gupta’s OFF/BEAT secures Rs 100 crore seed funding round
Bessemer backs new venture betting on AI and India’s digital shift
MUMBAI: Aman Gupta has raised Rs 100 crore in seed funding for his new venture OFF/BEAT, with Bessemer Venture Partners leading the round as it bets on a new wave of AI-led, consumer-first businesses in India.
The funding marks an early but significant push for OFF/BEAT, which is positioned to tap into a rapidly evolving market shaped by a digitally native generation and advances in artificial intelligence. The venture aims to build at the intersection of culture and technology, where brand identity and innovation increasingly go hand in hand.
Gupta, best known for co-founding boAt and scaling it into a Rs 3,000 crore-plus business, is now looking to apply those learnings to a new playbook. His focus this time is not just on building a consumer brand, but on leveraging AI and global networks to accelerate growth.
OFF/BEAT founder Aman Gupta said, “Having built from scratch before, I know what capital can do and what it cannot. This time, I was looking for partners with a global perspective who can help me leverage technology and AI, because that is where the future lies. Bessemer’s track record with companies like Anthropic, Shopify, Canva and LinkedIn says it all.”
The choice of investor reflects that ambition. Bessemer Venture Partners has backed global technology players such as Anthropic, Shopify, Canva and LinkedIn, bringing not just capital but strategic support and global reach.
Bessemer Venture Partners partner Anant Vidur Puri said, “We back founders who see around corners. Aman saw how a new India would come to think about aspiration, identity and quality, and built boAt as proof. He is now applying that same instinct to a market being reshaped by AI and by a generation with entirely new expectations.”
The investment comes at a time when India’s startup ecosystem is being reshaped by both consumer behaviour and technological disruption. Founders are increasingly expected to understand not just products, but the cultural shifts that drive adoption.
For OFF/BEAT, the journey is just beginning, but the signal is clear. In a market where attention is fleeting and expectations are rising, building something truly distinctive may be the only way to stay on beat.
