RARA Barefoot, a new-age footwear brand, has raised $500,000 in an oversubscribed pre-seed funding round backed by founders and senior operators from Zomato, Urban Company, Tata 1mg, Shyft, and HexaHealth, along with Managing Directors and Partners from ChrysCapital and BCG.
The announcement comes alongside the launch of its debut sneaker line, designed to redefine comfort and movement in everyday footwear.
The funding will fuel nationwide D2C expansion, strengthen local manufacturing, and support the brand’s select offline retail partnerships as it introduces barefoot sneakers to a broader Indian audience.
Founded in 2024 by Varun Mimani and Manas Tripathi, RARA Barefoot merges evolutionary design with modern aesthetics to craft performance footwear that encourages natural foot movement—staying true to its vision of helping people “move the way nature intended.”
Launching as a direct-to-consumer (D2C) brand, RARA’s first collection is now available on its official website. The startup also plans to enter multi-brand retail outlets and launch immersive pop-up experiences across major Indian cities in 2026.
Each RARA Barefoot sneaker is designed using barefoot science, featuring a flat sole with zero heel-toe drop, a wide toe box for natural toe spread, and a flexible sole that adapts to the foot’s 33 joints. All sneakers are made in India, combining global barefoot technology with locally sourced, high-performance materials.
