Zeven sports shoe

Introduction

This is multi-sport apparel startup which designs products that are conducive to Indian weather and terrain. The startup is run by tennis star Mahesh Bhupathi, along with former Nike country manager (South Asia) Hemchandra Javeri with a seed investment of $5 million. Zeven has been designed for the Indian weather and terrain, keeping in mind the Indian body structure and socio-cultural factors around pursuing a sport. The start-up has launched a footwear range designed in India and manufactured in China for cricket, running, speed-walking and working out at the gym

Website

Zevenworld.com

Products

The company presently offers footwear, apparel and accessories across six sport categories: cricket, football, tennis, run, walk and gym.

Zeven has designed three shoes, each for batsmen, bowlers and all-rounders. "We went to different fields in Mumbai, BENGALURU, Hyderabad, and Pune, and understood how Indian ground conditions are different," said Ravi Shekhar, head (footwear), Zeven.

The other pain point that Zeven aims to tackle is cost. Zeven's stress on 'affordability' is to make sure that every Indian plays sports. "The primary angle is 'Made for India at an affordable price'.

Made for India

“The sports business in India presents a massive opportunity for us. The combined sales of the top four players in the domestic market – Nike, Adidas, Reebok and Puma – is ₹2,500 crore, just the tip of the iceberg. More important, they are not designed and created for Indian weather, terrain and body types and cater to just a miniscule segment of the country’s 200-million-strong middle class population. This is where Zeven steps in with products that are a perfect fit for Indians in fit, size and comfort at one-third or half the cost offered by the top four global brands,” Zaveri told BusinessLine.

Testimonial

"I have been wearing Zeven since August last year and have been testing the products. The results have been great, both at the comfort level and at the fit level," said Rohan Bopanna, tennis player.

Stores

Zeven merchandise is available on its website, Amazon, Flipkart and Snapdeal

Reference

http://www.zevenworld.com/

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/zeven-is-mahesh-bhupathis-ace-for-the-local-sports-market/articleshow/51434509.cms

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/sport-merchandise-startup-zeven-to-open-brand-stores/article8500065.ece