Team Startupcity

• AKINNA closes first external funding round, led by Zeropearl VC, to scale operations.
• Funds to expand artisan network, grow team, and strengthen global brand presence.
• Founded in 2023, AKINNA aims to redefine Indian luxury and reclaim its global narrative.

AKINNA, a designer-led luxury leather handbag brand, has announced the successful closure of its first external funding round, led exclusively by Zeropearl VC. The investment amount has not been disclosed.

The funds will be used to scale production by onboarding more artisan partners, expand the core team with key hires, and invest in brand-building initiatives aimed at strengthening AKINNA’s global presence. As part of the investment 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 seeks 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, and won the Borbonese Design Competition, debuting her Lucia Bag at Milan Fashion Week 2020. Sanchit studied Luxury Marketing at EDHEC Business School, France, and worked with Hugo Boss Parfums and the Whirlpool Leadership Program in Italy.

Despite their experience in Europe’s luxury industry, the founders noted that while India powers global luxury supply chains, it has rarely been acknowledged as a source of luxury. With AKINNA, they aim to reclaim that narrative.

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Annika Saraf & Sanchit Goyal said, “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 of Zeropearl VC added, “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”.

With this funding, AKINNA plans to scale operations, support artisan communities, and strengthen its position in the global luxury market, representing a new chapter for Indian-made luxury goods.