Funding · Commerce & Consumer Brands

NORI raises $350,000 in pre-seed funding led by Rebalance

By Startup Enthusiast · 11 May 2026

Date: 11 May 2026
Company: Nori
What it does: women-focused travel gear brand
Kind: Funding
Amount: $350K
Stage: pre-seed
Based in: Bengaluru
Founded: 2025
Sector: Commerce & Consumer Brands

What they do

NORI is a direct-to-consumer travel gear brand designed exclusively for women, offering luggage, bags, packing cubes, and travel organizers tailored to…

What happened

The $350,000 pre-seed round was led by Rebalance, with participation from Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma through his investment vehicle VSS Investco and…

Why it matters

NORI has served over 4,000 customers and is tracking toward an annual revenue run-rate of ₹2 crore, with a high Net Promoter Score and repeat purchase rate

The details

NORI, a Bengaluru-based travel gear brand, raised $350,000 in a pre-seed funding round led by Rebalance, with participation from Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma through his investment vehicle VSS Investco and other angel investors.
The funding will be used to expand NORI's product portfolio and strengthen its presence across digital and offline sales channels.
NORI was founded in 2025 by Meenakshi Vyas and Rashika Nayak, who aim to address the gender-specific gap in the travel gear market.
The company's product range includes luggage, bags, packing cubes, and travel organizers designed specifically for women's travel habits and needs.
NORI's flagship product, the Carry On Wheelie, is a cabin-sized trolley bag built around the actual packing and travel habits of women, with a focus on better organization, ergonomics, and feminine design.

The bigger picture

NORI targets a growing segment of female solo and business travelers in India, who often face challenges with generic travel gear not designed for their specific needs.
The company's early traction includes serving over 4,000 customers and tracking toward an annual revenue run-rate of ₹2 crore.
NORI has a high Net Promoter Score (NPS) above 9 and a 20% repeat purchase rate within 60 days, which is rare for early-stage D2C brands in India.

About the business

NORI is a direct-to-consumer (D2C) travel gear brand focused exclusively on women, offering products like luggage, bags, packing cubes, and travel organizers.
The company's products are designed to meet the specific organizational and ergonomic needs of women, with a focus on feminine aesthetics and functionality.
NORI's flagship product, the Carry On Wheelie, is a cabin-sized trolley bag tailored to women's travel habits, featuring specialized compartments and ergonomic adjustments.
The brand's Organizers range was its first product line and helped establish early customer traction.
NORI aims to position itself as the primary choice for the modern female traveler by combining functional design with a distinct brand identity.

What happens next

NORI plans to expand its product portfolio and scale its distribution across both digital platforms and physical retail channels.
The company aims to position itself as the primary choice for the modern female traveler by combining functional design with a distinct brand identity.

The deal

Type: funding

Investors

Rebalance (lead) — Co-founded by Aishwarya Malhi and Vikas Kumar.
Vijay Shekhar Sharma (participated) — Founder of Paytm and investor through VSS Investco.
VSS Investco (participated) — Investment vehicle of Vijay Shekhar Sharma.

Founders

Meenakshi Vyas, co-founder
Rashika Nayak, co-founder

About Nori

Product: Luggage, bags, packing cubes, and travel organizers designed specifically for women travelers
Customers: Women travelers, especially solo and business travelers seeking travel gear tailored to their needs
How it makes money: Direct-to-consumer e-commerce with physical retail presence
What sets it apart: Products designed around how women actually pack and travel with better organization and ergonomics

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