Rajshree Upadhyaya | Jaipur | Business Remedies | In India’s rapidly expanding sneaker culture, collectors and fashion enthusiasts often spend significant amounts on premium footwear and limited edition designs. However, maintaining these expensive items has long been a challenge, as traditional cleaning services rarely understand the delicate materials used in modern sneakers or luxury accessories. Identifying this gap in the market, Sahil Jain and Arunima Singhal Jain founded Sneakinn in 2020, a Gurugram based startup focused on professional cleaning, restoration, and care for high value fashion items. What began as a small experimental venture has gradually grown into a specialized service business catering to sneaker lovers and luxury fashion owners across India.
The idea behind Sneakinn originated from a personal experience. Sahil Jain, who had a strong interest in sneakers, once gave a pair of his expensive shoes to a local cleaner but received them back damaged. The incident made him realize that India lacked reliable professional services dedicated to maintaining luxury sneakers and leather goods. Determined to solve this problem, Sahil and Arunima began researching global sneaker cleaning techniques and restoration methods. In the early days, their operations were extremely modest, starting from a small terrace space at Sahil’s home where they experimented with tools, materials, and cleaning processes before formally launching the brand.
As the business developed, Sneakinn positioned itself as a premium care service rather than a conventional laundry operation. The company built its core offerings around premium sneaker cleaning, deep sneaker restoration, colour restoration, leather repair, and protective treatments designed to extend the life of expensive footwear. The founders focused heavily on developing specialized processes that could restore sneakers without damaging delicate materials such as suede, mesh, nubuck, and leather. Over time, the company expanded beyond sneakers to include services like luxury handbag restoration, leather jacket cleaning, and repair services for belts and boots, transforming Sneakinn into a broader luxury accessory care platform.
To complement its service offerings, Sneakinn also introduced a small range of products aimed at customers who prefer maintaining their sneakers at home. The brand launched DIY sneaker cleaning kits, complete sneaker care kits, crease protection guards, and protective accessories that help preserve the condition of sneakers between professional treatments. These products helped Sneakinn connect more deeply with sneaker enthusiasts while strengthening its brand presence in India’s growing sneaker community.
The company adopted an omnichannel model to scale its services efficiently. Sneakinn operates dedicated retail outlets where customers can drop off their sneakers and accessories, while a centralized workshop handles the detailed cleaning and restoration processes using specialized equipment and materials. At the same time, the startup provides nationwide pickup and courier services, allowing customers across India to send their items for professional treatment without visiting a store. This hybrid approach enabled the company to expand its reach while maintaining operational efficiency.
Financial growth followed steadily as sneaker culture gained popularity in India. Sneakinn reported revenue of about Rs. 19.8 lakh in its early phase, but the numbers grew rapidly as awareness increased. The company soon crossed Rs. 1.5 crore in revenue, later reaching around Rs. 3.8 crore before growing further to approximately Rs. 5.9 crore annually. The strong growth reflected rising consumer demand for professional maintenance services for luxury fashion items.
The brand gained wider recognition after appearing on a popular startup investment television show where the founders pitched their venture seeking Rs. 90 lakh for 3 percent equity, valuing the company at Rs. 30 crore. After discussions with the investors, Anupam Mittal offered Rs. 90 lakh in exchange for 6.5 percent equity, bringing the valuation to around Rs. 13.85 crore. The founders accepted the offer, and the appearance significantly increased Sneakinn’s visibility among consumers across the country.
Today, Sneakinn continues to operate and expand in the luxury sneaker care segment. With multiple stores, a centralized restoration facility, and nationwide logistics support, the company remains focused on preserving premium sneakers and accessories for customers who consider them valuable collectibles as well as fashion statements. What started as a simple effort to repair a damaged pair of sneakers has grown into a distinctive business that reflects the evolving sneaker culture and luxury care industry in India.
