Right Business: How this business is creating innovative activewear for athletes with a "Warrior ...

Summary

In this insightful interview, Gunjan Dada, founder and CEO of Zoda, shares his journey from a 25-year global business career to creating a disruptive activewear brand. Zoda combines performance-driven activewear with sustainability, leveraging innovative technologies like NFC to enhance athletes' experiences. Gunjan discusses Zoda’s warrior mindset, its commitment to eco-friendly materials, and its goal to build a global community of athletes. The brand focuses on bridging the gap between aesthetics and functionality, aiming to inspire athletes worldwide with cutting-edge products and a deep connection to their values.

Takeaways

• 😀 Gunjan Dada, the founder and CEO of Zoda, has over 25 years of global business experience across three continents, working in diverse industries.
• 😀 Zoda was created with the vision to challenge the activewear industry, focusing on performance-driven apparel that resonates with a strong purpose and warrior mindset.
• 😀 Gunjan's personal fitness journey, including amateur bodybuilding, swimming, and cricket, significantly influenced the design and functionality of Zoda’s activewear.
• 😀 Zoda’s performance wear uses precision-engineered fabrics called Zenit Tech, focusing on durability, functionality, and comfort to help athletes perform better.
• 😀 Zoda differentiates itself from competitors by emphasizing technology and sustainability, rather than just aesthetics in the activewear industry.
• 😀 Building a global brand from Singapore is a strategic advantage due to the country's location, reputation for quality, and access to both suppliers and growing consumer markets in Asia.
• 😀 Zoda integrates NFC technology in its activewear, allowing athletes to interact with the brand digitally, engage with other athletes, and access challenges via the Zoda platform.
• 😀 Zoda has partnered with Shinta, a material sciences company, to create the Coster X Zoda TM tank, which absorbs CO2 from the air, helping reduce environmental impact.
• 😀 Zoda’s commitment to sustainability includes using BCI cotton and carbon-capturing fabrics, focusing on both performance and minimizing the environmental footprint of activewear.
• 😀 Zoda aims to build a community of 1 million athletes by 2030 by fostering a sense of belonging through its Zoda Warrior program and athlete-driven product innovation.
• 😀 The company plans to launch 25 new products focused on performance in the next year, continuing to invest in R&D and stay true to its pillars of technology, sustainability, and community.

Q & A

What motivated Gunjan Dada to transition from a 25-year career across various industries to the activewear sector?

Gunjan's lifelong passion for fitness, combined with his desire to create something meaningful, led him to start a fitness studio. This passion eventually drove him to establish Zoda, an activewear brand aimed at providing premium performance wear that supports athletes' limits while aligning with a deeper purpose and community.

How does Gunjan Dada's personal fitness experience influence the design of Zoda's activewear?

Gunjan's extensive experience in various fitness challenges, including amateur bodybuilding, swimming, and cricket, has shaped Zoda's design philosophy. He emphasizes functionality, the use of high-performance fabrics, precision engineering (Zenit tech), and durability to create activewear that enhances athletic performance and comfort.

What sets Zoda apart from other activewear brands in a competitive market?

Zoda differentiates itself by focusing on technology, sustainability, and performance. Unlike many mass-market brands that emphasize aesthetics over function, Zoda integrates cutting-edge technology and high-quality materials to create activewear that enhances performance and supports sustainability.

Why does Gunjan believe building Zoda in Singapore is an advantage?

Gunjan sees Singapore's strategic location as a massive advantage, offering access to key markets in China, India, and Southeast Asia. The country is known for its reputation in quality and innovation, and Zoda leverages e-commerce and social media to connect directly with customers, positioning itself as a global brand.

What is the Zatap NFC tech, and how does it enhance an athlete's performance?

Zatap NFC tech allows athletes to interact with their activewear by tapping their phone on an emblem on the garment. This action connects them with other athletes, enables participation in challenges, and creates an immersive, interactive experience that blurs the line between physical and digital engagement.

What is the inspiration behind Zoda's use of carbon-capturing fabrics, such as the Coster X Zoda™ tank?

The inspiration comes from a collaboration with Shinta, a material sciences company that developed a fabric capable of absorbing carbon dioxide. The Coster X Zoda™ tank uses this technology to actively capture CO2, with 20 people wearing the tank equaling the impact of one mature tree in terms of CO2 absorption.

How does Zoda approach sustainability in its activewear products?

Zoda integrates sustainability by using materials like BCI cotton and carbon-capturing fabrics, aiming to reduce the environmental footprint of its products. The brand is committed to building performance wear that is durable and eco-friendly, pushing for an environmentally responsible fashion industry.

What is Zoda's long-term goal regarding its athlete community, and how do they plan to build it?

Zoda aims to build a global community of 1 million athletes by 2030. They plan to foster this community by featuring athletes who embody the brand's warrior mindset, sharing their stories, and involving them in product innovation. Zoda will also launch podcasts and other platforms to engage and inspire athletes worldwide.

How does Zoda ensure the functionality of its products while maintaining sustainability?

Zoda combines advanced performance-driven design with sustainable practices by focusing on durability, high-quality materials, and eco-friendly fabric technologies. The brand's commitment to sustainability is integral, ensuring that their activewear not only enhances performance but also minimizes environmental impact.

What milestones does Zoda have planned for the near future?

Zoda is focused on releasing 25 new products by June, targeting athletes involved in events like the Hierox and CrossFit championships. The company will continue investing in R&D to innovate new fabrics and smart apparel solutions, while staying true to its core pillars of technology, sustainability, and community.