Source: Business Recorder
Brooklyn, USA — May 2025 — Atoms, a Brooklyn-based sneaker startup founded by Pakistani entrepreneur Sidra Qasim, has successfully raised over $2 million in a private funding round led by its own customers. The announcement was made by Qasim on LinkedIn, where she described the initiative as “the most meaningful experience” 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,” Qasim shared in her post. She personally spoke to several of the 450 customers who participated in the round, engaging with them to understand their motivations, answer questions, and gather insights into how they envision the future of the brand.
“Every founder with PMF should do this once—you’ll remember why you’re building,” she noted, referring to product-market fit (PMF), a term that denotes a company’s successful alignment of its offerings with market demand.
The move drew praise from startup ecosystem players, including early-stage startup advisor Saba Kalsoom. Speaking to Business Recorder, Kalsoom said, “This is such a powerful move. If your customers are your biggest advocates to the extent that they’re helping you raise a round, it shows your product truly resonates with them.”
Kalsoom emphasized the relevance of this model for Pakistani startups, where venture capital has become increasingly constrained. “Whether it’s through pre-orders, community crowdfunding, or customer-led rounds, this model is worth exploring,” she said.
According to Atoms’ profile on crowdfunding platform Wefunder.com, the company has already raised $250,000 or more from a venture firm and boasts lifetime revenues exceeding $36 million. The company has sold over 840,000 products, including sneakers, face masks, and accessories, to more than 200,000 customers.
As of March 2025, Atoms reported cash in hand of $281,498. Over the prior three months, the company averaged $204,000 in monthly revenue, with costs of goods sold at $90,000 and operational expenses of $200,000 per month.
One of the standout investors in this customer-led round is Vijay Rao, who invested $415,000, in addition to a previous $15,000 investment. “Atoms isn’t just about making great shoes (which they do exceptionally well); it’s about creating a brand that people genuinely love and want to be part of,” Rao said. “Their commitment to quality, community, and innovation is unmatched.”
Atoms’ innovative fundraising approach marks a shift in how direct-to-consumer brands can leverage community engagement not just for sales, but also for growth capital — redefining customer relationships in the process.
