Mirza International Acquires D2C Footwear Brand Solethreads
Business leaders shake hands, symbolizing a footwear brand acquisition.
Key Highlights
Mirza International acquires D2C footwear brand Solethreads, expanding its portfolio. Founder Sumant Kakaria steps down as CEO. Learn more about this strategic move.
Footwear maker Mirza International’s MD Tauseef Mirza has acquired D2C brand Solethreads. Solethreads’ founder and CEO, Sumant Kakaria, announced the acquisition in a LinkedIn post, though he did not disclose the deal size or other details.
Kakaria stated that the vision behind starting Solethreads was to make everyday footwear more accessible through a tech-led approach. Over time, the startup expanded its online presence and added physical retail locations.
Regulatory filings indicate that Mirza became a director and promoter at Summersalt Lifestyle, Solethread’s parent company, in December 2025.
With the acquisition, Solethreads will now operate under Mirza International, a footwear company known for brands such as RedTape and Oaktrak. Kakaria will step down from his role as CEO following the acquisition.
Founded in 2020 by Kakaria, Gaurav Chopra, Aprajit Kathuria, and Vikram Iyer, Solethreads began as a digital-first brand focused on casual footwear for young consumers. It initially built its online presence before expanding into offline retail.
The startup started with flip-flops, which remain its best-selling category, and later moved into sneakers. It positioned itself as a design-led brand offering affordable products compared to global labels targeting similar customers.
Over the years, Solethreads raised multiple rounds of funding, securing ₹13 Cr in 2020 and ₹14 Cr in 2021 from DSG Consumer Partners and Saama Capital. In 2023, it raised $3.7 Mn 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.
The acquisition occurs when traditional companies are investing in digital-first brands to reach younger consumers. Recent examples include Aditya Birla Fashion and ’s acquisition of Bewakoof and Styched buying sneaker brand Flatheads.
The acquisition will provide Solethreads with access to Mirza International’s manufacturing and distribution network.