Alumnus’ Startup Turns Neighbourhood Shops into Digital Marketplaces

Today, groceries and food arrive at our doorstep within minutes. Yet, in fashion, waiting days for delivery or navigating traffic to visit stores has long been the norm. Noticing this gap, Ahmedabad University alumnus Deeprajsinh Gohil (BTech Class of 2025), along with his peers Kushal Suthar (BA (Hons) Class of 2024), Mohit Bohra (BBA (Hons) Class of 2026), and Pratham Keshwala (BBA (Hons) Class of 2027), founded Clozzet. This venture blends the speed of quick commerce with the creativity of local fashion.

What makes this venture unique is its pursuit of inclusivity. Unlike traditional e-commerce platforms that rely on centralised warehouses, Clozzet takes a different route. Their model digitises existing retail stores across the city, turning local inventories into an online marketplace accessible at the tap of a screen.

It offers customers the opportunity to discover and shop local fashion distinct from mass-produced brands. While retailers, many of them small, independent stores, gain visibility in the digital economy without being overshadowed by large players. As Deeprajsinh explains, "The aim is to empower local retailers rather than replace them. We plan to make online shopping faster, more diverse, and community-driven."

Looking ahead, Clozzet plans to expand this model beyond Ahmedabad across India. "The vision is simple: to digitise every retail store, ensuring that small businesses remain competitive in an increasingly digital-first world," says Deeprajsinh.

Clozzet's growth has been supported by VentureStudio​​​​​​, Ahmedabad University's startup incubator, since Deeprajsinh's student days. VentureStudio CEO Jeremy Fritzhand first connected Deeprajsinh with MentorManthan, a structured pitch feedback programme that helps early-stage startups refine their strategies. "As an Ahmedabad University alum and early participant, the structured mentorship helped us refine our pitch and product strategy. Result? Clozzet raised Pre-Seed at $1.2M valuation," shares Deeprajsinh.

Following graduation, when the team needed workspace to scale operations, VentureStudio provided office space at its campus facility, allowing Clozzet to establish its headquarters within the University's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Beyond physical infrastructure, VentureStudio has continued to support the team with strategic guidance and investor relations.

"The best ideas often start with a conversation on campus," says Jeremy Fritzhand, CEO of VentureStudio. "When students approach us with their vision, no matter how early-stage, our door is open. Whether it's connecting them to the right experts, helping them access our facilities, or simply talking through their challenges, we believe that removing barriers to support is how we build the next generation of impactful ventures. Deeprajsinh's journey with Clozzet is a perfect example of how a single initial conversation can evolve into something transformative when the right ecosystem support is in place."

Deeprajsinh's reflections also highlight the key role of Ahmedabad University in shaping their journey toward creating Clozzet. His computer science education gave him the technical foundation needed to build a retail-tech platform, equipping him with the right programming skills and resources to digitise local fashion stores. Beyond technical training, he credits the University's interdisciplinary curriculum, which exposed him to finance, marketing, and data science, skills essential for launching and running a startup effectively.

"Equally important was the personal growth we experienced on campus," said Kushal Suthar (BA (Hons) Class of 2024), Clozzet's founding member. "Coming from outside Gujarat, I initially struggled with confidence and networking. But the University's diverse peer group, collaborative culture, and highly qualified faculty helped me overcome my inhibitions, build connections, and expand my perspectives."

Sharing their success mantra with the aspiring entrepreneurs, Deeprajsinh said, “If you have a unique idea, discuss it with mentors, faculty, or peers who can help you think about its future potential. Then, start working on it. Execution is everything. The journey takes time, so be patient, trust the process, and keep working hard. The most important step is simply to start; once you do, the path will unfold.”

Clozzet is an emerging fashion-tech venture that seeks to transform how people in India buy clothing. The startup has already secured funding at the pre-seed stage.