Ajinkya Rahane joins Chupps as Investor and Advisor

Ajinkya Rahane, the current captain of Kolkata Knight Riders and former India Test captain, has joined Chupps as an investor and advisor during the company’s pre-Series B funding round, the footwear brand announced. The size of Rahane’s investment was not disclosed, though the company said existing investors have continued to support the business as it prepares to scale. Founded in 2020 by Yashesh Mukhi, Chupps makes stylish, functional open footwear aimed at modern Indian consumers and is entering a fast-growth phase focused on new products, offline retail and brand development.

Direct quote

Rahane explained his decision to back the brand: “What drew me to Chupps wasn’t the pitch. It was the product. You can tell when something is built with intention and when it isn’t. This one is.”

Context and details

Rahane first connected with Chupps as a customer, and that relationship has evolved into a strategic partnership. In his investor-advisor role he will not only provide capital but also work hands-on with the team on product development, with a specific focus on recovery footwear. Company materials say Rahane will help refine comfort-focused designs and contribute to upgrades to Chupps’ ERGO-Charge technology as well as a new recovery-focused product currently in development.

Chupps highlights a growing presence in sport-linked marketing and retail as part of its expansion. The brand has gained visibility in the Indian Premier League through partnerships with teams including Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians, and Rahane’s involvement is expected to strengthen Chupps’ positioning as a preferred off-field choice for athletes.

• Founder: Yashesh Mukhi (Cofounder of Chupps Footwear)
• Founded: 2020
• Funding stage: Pre-Series B (investment amount not disclosed)
• Retail channels: Own website, Amazon, Myntra, offline stores in major Indian cities
• International presence: United Arab Emirates

Cofounder Yashesh Mukhi framed Rahane’s arrival as timely for the company’s next phase. “We’re at a point where the brand has moved beyond early validation and is now scaling with clear intent. This phase is about building depth, across product, distribution and brand. Ajinkya’s involvement comes at the right time for us as we start building for a more evolved consumer need. It’s a partnership that strengthens how we build not just how we grow,” Mukhi said.

Outlook

Chupps says it has established a base of repeat buyers and is moving into an accelerated growth window that combines product innovation with expanded offline distribution and athlete endorsements. With Rahane advising on recovery- and comfort-oriented product lines and existing investors maintaining support through the pre-Series B round, the brand aims to deepen its product portfolio and broaden market reach as it seeks to become a leading name in India’s comfort and recovery footwear segment.