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It’s something like the Rajinikanth-starrer “Kabali” which garnered a huge pile of money even before its release. A three-month-old startup, planning to launch specialized sports shorts in September, has already garnered nearly $ 12,500, in 10 days flat, through global crowd-funding.
By the time its crowd-funding campaign ends on September 17, it hopes to collect nearly $ 200,000.
Launched in May 2016, the Ahmedabad-based startup, Revo International, has developed “smart performance shorts” (SPS) under the brand-name TrueREVO. On July 19, it commenced a global crowd-funding campaign on the Kickstarter platform as a pre-booking exercise in the international market.
“We had a goal of getting pledges worth $ 10,000 within a week. But we have managed to raise pledges worth over $ 12,000 so far, thanks to more than 265 backers from 23 different nationalities, from Australia to Singapore to the USA,” Rohan Shah, Founder, told BusinessLine.
“Our real campaign through various media outlets will commence tomorrow (July 29),” he said.
So, how these shorts to be used by runners, sportspeople and for workouts are different?
An SPS is a two-layered short, priced between Rs.1, 499 and Rs.1, 999 in India. Its outer layer is made of imported light, polyester while the inner fabric is made of polyester spandex. “Before manufacturing, this fabric is treated for anti-bacteria land anti-odour effect that lasts up to 50 washes. This short is more hygienic and longer-lasting.”
The ergonomically-designed short has tight pockets on the inner layer to enable the runner stuff a smartphone therein. A small hole provided enables the earphone wire to pass through in order to listen to music or calls. The user needs no other accessory, like an arm strap or a waist belt, to place the smartphone. Other features include a separate pocket on the backside for keys and valuables.
It will be manufactured at facilities in Ludhiana, Delhi, Ahmedabad and Tirupur (TN) and delivery of pre-booked orders would start in September, Shah said.
Revo International makes “extreme” performance and fitness apparel, sportswear and sports accessories sold online on its website and e-commerce portals. The SPS, however, is currently available for pre-booking only on the Kickstarter platform. After the Kickstarter campaign, it will sell SPS through exclusive partnership with leading retailers of the country, he added.
Even with Kickstarter, Revo International has a barter-like arrangement: it will pay in kind—the campaigner would also get shorts!
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