In a powerful show of customer trust and brand loyalty, Atoms, a Brooklyn-based sneaker brand co-founded by Pakistani entrepreneur Sidra Qasim, has raised over $2 million from around 450 customers in a private funding round.
🧵 A Founder-Customer Connection Like No Other
Sidra Qasim, Atoms’ CEO, shared the news on LinkedIn, describing the experience as the most meaningful of her career:
“A few weeks ago we opened up a private round for customers to invest in Atoms and it has been such an incredible experience,” she wrote.
She personally connected with several investors—many of whom were long-time customers—to hear their feedback, answer questions, and share the vision for the brand’s future.
“Every founder with PMF should do this once—you’ll remember why you’re building,” she added.
📈 Why This Matters: A Model for Pakistani Startups
With VC funding constrained in Pakistan, startup advisor Saba Kalsoom called the move “a powerful model.”
“If your customers are helping you raise a round, it shows that your product truly resonates,” she told Business Recorder.
“Whether through pre-orders, community crowdfunding, or customer-led rounds, there’s growth potential here.”
💼 The Business Behind the Brand
According to Wefunder, where the round was hosted, Atoms has:
- Over $36 million in lifetime revenue
- 200,000+ customers
- 840,000+ products sold (including shoes, masks, and accessories)
- Cash on hand (March 2025): $281,498
- Monthly revenue (recent 3-month average): $204,000
- Monthly operational expenses: $200,000
- Monthly COGS: $90,000
Investor Vijay Rao, who contributed $415,000 in this round, praised Atoms for “redefining what a modern footwear brand should be.”
“Their commitment to quality, community, and innovation is unmatched,” he said.
💡 Takeaway for Founders
Atoms’ customer-funded round is a compelling example of how product-market fit and community-building can unlock new avenues for growth—especially in capital-scarce ecosystems like Pakistan’s.
