dmodot Raises Rs. 1.35 Crore on JioHotstar’s Pitch to Get Rich to Expand Handcrafted Footwear Brand

Delhi-based handcrafted footwear brand dmodot, founded by designer-entrepreneur Abhishek Sharma, has secured Rs. 1.35 crore in funding for a 30% equity stake, valuing the company at Rs. 4.5 crore, on JioHotstar’s business reality series Pitch to Get Rich. The funding marks an important milestone for the brand and India’s emerging Quiet Luxury segment, positioning dmodot among the first handcrafted footwear labels to gain national recognition and investment on an OTT platform.

Abhishek Sharma’s pitch to the investor panel — featuring Akshay Kumar, Karan Johar, Manish Malhotra, and Malaika Arora — highlighted dmodot’s focus on handcrafted heritage, ethical sourcing, and contemporary design. The presentation underscored the brand’s mission to scale Indian craftsmanship as a sustainable and profitable business model within modern retail.

The investment will allow dmodot to expand its retail and online presence across major Indian cities, launch an international capsule collection under the theme Quiet Luxury, Made in India, strengthen its artisan network, and implement sustainable production processes. Funds will also be directed towards marketing, e-commerce technology, and new product development.

The show Pitch to Get Rich is produced by Dharmatic Entertainment in association with the Fashion Entrepreneur Fund (FEF) and is described as India’s first reality series combining fashion, business, and entertainment. With an overall investment pool of Rs. 40 crore, the series provides a platform for entrepreneurs to present their ideas to a panel of investors and mentors from the fashion and entertainment industries. During the episode, dmodot was recognised by the judges for its design process, inclusive sizing range (36–50), and approach that connects traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics.

Founded in 2016 by Abhishek Sharma, dmodot is a handcrafted footwear brand based in Delhi. Its collections include loafers, mules, sneakers, and mojris, combining comfort, craftsmanship, and conscious design. The brand aims to reinterpret Indian luxury through modern silhouettes and traditional techniques.

With the investment, dmodot plans to open experience studios in Delhi and Mumbai by mid-2025, expand its international e-commerce operations in the UAE, UK, and Singapore, and collaborate with Indian designers on limited-edition collections. The company also intends to double its production capacity while continuing to prioritise artisan-led processes.