Mirza International Acquires D2C Footwear Brand Solethreads

Footwear maker Mirza International, led by Managing Director Tauseef Mirza, has acquired D2C brand Solethreads. The acquisition was announced by Solethreads' founder and CEO Sumant Kakaria through a LinkedIn post, though specific details about the deal size or other aspects were not disclosed. Kakaria highlighted that the founding vision of Solethreads was to make everyday footwear more "cool" and accessible through a tech-led approach. Over time, the startup expanded its online reach and added physical retail as it grew.

Regulatory filings reveal that Mirza International became a director and promoter at Solethreads' parent company, Summersalt Lifestyle, in December 2025. With this acquisition, Solethreads will now fall under the umbrella of Mirza International, a legacy footwear company renowned for brands such as RedTape and Oaktrak. Kakaria will step down from his role as CEO following the acquisition.

Solethreads was founded in 2020 by Sumant Kakaria, Gaurav Chopra, Aprajit Kathuria, and Vikram Iyer as a digital-first brand focused on casual footwear for young consumers. Initially, the brand built its presence online before expanding into offline retail. It began with flip-flops, which remain its best-selling category, and later moved into sneakers. Solethreads positioned itself as a design-led brand offering relatively affordable products compared to global labels targeting similar customers.

Over the years, Solethreads raised multiple rounds of funding. In 2020, it secured ₹13 crore, and in 2021, it raised another ₹14 crore from DSG Consumer Partners and Saama Capital. In 2023, the startup raised $3.7 million in its Series A round led by Fireside Ventures, with participation from angel investors Nihir Nalin Parikh and Dhaval Nalin Parikh, along with existing backers.

This acquisition comes at a time when traditional companies are increasingly turning to digital-first brands to reach younger consumers. Recent examples include Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail’s acquisition of Bewakoof and Styched buying sneaker brand Flatheads. The acquisition of Solethreads by Mirza International will provide the D2C brand with access to Mirza International’s manufacturing and distribution network, enabling it to scale its operations more efficiently.

The move signifies a strategic shift for both companies. For Mirza International, this acquisition allows it to tap into the younger demographic that Solethreads targets, leveraging the startup's digital presence and innovative approach. Meanwhile, Solethreads gains the benefits of a larger, established company’s resources, which can help it expand its product offerings and reach a broader audience.

As part of the acquisition, Solethreads will continue to operate under its current brand identity, but with the added support of Mirza International’s infrastructure. This collaboration is expected to enhance the brand’s visibility and strengthen its position in the competitive footwear market.

In the rapidly evolving footwear industry, where digital transformation and customer engagement are key, the acquisition of Solethreads by Mirza International represents a strategic move for both parties. It underscores the trend of traditional companies acquiring digital-first startups to adapt to changing consumer preferences and stay relevant in the market.