World Footwear

Companies

Children's footwear start-up Jbrds Secures 500 000 USD in funding

Sep 6, 2023 United States
Children's footwear start-up Jbrds Secures 500 000 USD in funding
The Baltimore-based start-up has secured 500 00 US dollars in an initial funding round. Although its financial backers are not known, the company is now valued at 5 million US dollars
Founded by podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon Dr. Jay LeBow, together with former sports industry veteran at Mizuno and Adidas Mike Gugat and sporting goods retailer David Hirshfeld, Jbrds offers children's shoes anatomically designed to support their foot structure and activity requirements.

“After reviewing hundreds of x-rays and evaluating the current offering of generic kids' footwear, it was clear there was a need in the footwear industry Jbrds could fill. Now, every child can start on the right foot with shoes designed for their developmental needs and crafted with clinical expertise”, commented Chief Product Officer Dr. LeBow.

Launched in 2022, its first line Stand2Walk, designed for children aged between 9 and 8 months, features a patent-pending design aimed at supporting the wearer's lateral column by locking the development of the cuboid bone while stabilizing the heel.

“Our mission is to start kids off on the right foot, and Jbrds is leaving the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to children’s footwear behind. We're meeting kids’ needs from cradle to eight years old to avoid possible problems later in life from wearing ill-fitting, or simply the wrong shoes as a child”, added Mike Gugat.

The start-up plans to introduce in the future ranges for the next developmental phases of children, including the Walk2Run (ages 18 months to 3 years), Run2Play (ages 3 to 5 years) and GoPlay (ages 5 to 8 years) collections.


Image credits: www.bizjournals.com

Related Events

  • Jan
    25
    Jan 25-Jan 27, 2025 | Livonia, United States

    Michigan Shoe Market

  • Jan
    29
    Jan 29-Jan 30, 2025 | New York, United States

    Lineapelle New York

  • Feb
    2
    Feb 2-Feb 3, 2025 | Michigan, United States

    Metro-Michigan Women's Wear Market

  • Feb
    3
    Feb 3-Feb 7, 2025 | New York, United States

    FFANY Market Week

Related Organizations

  • AAFA - American Apparel & Footwear Association

    AAFA - American Apparel & Footwear Association

    United States
  • Two Ten Footwear Foundation

    Two Ten Footwear Foundation

    United States
  • Chicago School of Shoemaking & Leather Arts

    Chicago School of Shoemaking & Leather Arts

    United States
  • SSIA - Shoe Service Institute of America

    SSIA - Shoe Service Institute of America

    United States