AKINNA, a designer-led luxury leather handbag brand, on Monday announced the close of its first external funding round. The pre-seed/seed round was led exclusively by Zeropearl VC. The investment amount remains undisclosed.
The newly raised funds will be utilised to scale production by onboarding more artisan partners, expand the core team with key hires, and invest in brand-building initiatives to strengthen AKINNA’s global presence. As part of the round, Bipin Shah, Founder of Zeropearl VC, will also join AKINNA’s Board.
Founded in 2023 by Creative Director Annika Saraf and CEO Sanchit Goyal, AKINNA aims to redefine the narrative of Indian luxury. Annika, who left the London School of Economics to pursue design, studied Luxury Accessories Design at Istituto Marangoni, Milan, the alma mater of Franco Moschino, Domenico Dolce, and Alessandro Sartori. She went on to win the Borbonese Design Competition, debuting her Lucia Bag at Milan Fashion Week 2020.
Sanchit studied Luxury Marketing at EDHEC Business School, France, whose alumni include Delphine Arnault, CEO of Christian Dior Couture. He worked at Hugo Boss Parfums (Coty) and joined the Whirlpool Leadership Program in Italy. Despite their immersion in Europe’s luxury industry, both founders realised one truth: while India powers global luxury supply chains, it has never been acknowledged as an origin of luxury. With AKINNA, they returned home to change that narrative.
Annika Saraf & Sanchit Goyal, Co-founders of AKINNA, said in a statement, “Securing our first investment goes beyond financial fuel. It is cultural validation. For decades, Indian leather has powered global luxury, yet the story was never ours to tell. With AKINNA, we reclaim that narrative. This is Indian luxury arriving with confidence and conviction.”
Bipin Shah, Founder & Managing Partner, Zeropearl VC, said in a statement, “India is ready to take its rightful place in global luxury, and AKINNA is leading that charge. Annika and Sanchit combine international pedigree with cultural conviction. Their commitment to ethical sourcing and Made in India craftsmanship positions AKINNA not just as a brand, but as a movement. We are excited to back their journey in building India’s next global luxury house.”
