Launch · Commerce & Consumer Brands

KobSook launches limited-edition sneakers with artist designs

By Startup Enthusiast · 27 August 2026

What they do

KobSook handcrafts limited-edition canvas sneakers in Delhi with designs by differently-abled artists

The startup, founded in 2023 by Aziz Kapasi, trains artists via partner AIMS Media and pays them salaries

It targets a gap for homegrown premium sneakers made entirely in India with a social employment model

KobSook is a Delhi-based footwear startup founded in 2023 that handcrafts limited-edition canvas sneakers.
The sneakers feature designs created by differently-abled artists, and the company positions them as wearable art, not fast fashion.
Production happens in an in-house facility in Hauz Khas Village, Delhi, using manual assembly with no conveyor belts or automated lines.
Artists are salaried team members trained through partner AIMS Media in illustration, digital design, and photo/video editing.
Candidates are identified via AIMS Media, assessed for skills, and go through parent conversations and internships before longer-term engagement.
Each design is produced in limited quantities, with digital printing on canvas, hand cutting and stitching, and manual quality checks.
All materials, including soles, canvas, and thread, are sourced from India, and packaging uses biodegradable shoe pouches with an explanatory card.

The startup was founded to create steady paid work for creatively skilled young adults who are often excluded from formal employment.
The name KobSook comes from Buddhism, meaning a person with a happy heart and compassion.
The founder identified a market gap: few homegrown premium canvas sneaker brands are made entirely in India, and existing designs are often limited and derivative.
KobSook differentiates itself from large brands and fast-fashion players through original artwork, limited production, and its employment model.

KobSook handcrafts limited-edition canvas sneakers in India, with designs by differently-abled artists.
The company operates from Hauz Khas Village, Delhi, with an in-house manufacturing facility.
Production involves manual assembly, digital printing on canvas, and hand cutting and stitching.
Artists are salaried employees, not piece workers, and receive training through partner AIMS Media.
Materials, including TPR soles, EVA insoles, and breathable canvas, are all sourced from India.
The company offers customisation, allowing customers to request personalised designs.
Packaging is biodegradable and includes a card explaining the company's process and intent.
Each production batch is used to improve precision, reduce waste, and optimise material usage.