After supply chain issues delayed its launch, Portland running shoe startup Vimazi finally has its pace-specific shoes available for preorder.
Co-founder John Zilly spent the better part of the last five years building the company with his co-founder and high school running buddy, Scott Tucker. The principle behind Vimazi's shoes is that the faster the runner, the more force they generate. The footwear reacts to the forces a runner generates at their personal pace, providing optimized cushioning and max efficiency.
Zilly originally planned to have four designs available for preorder in October, but with the supply chain problems that wreaked havoc on the footwear and apparel industry in 2022, that date was pushed back.
“As an unproven startup, if somebody else came in (to our suppliers) who had a proven plan that or that had other orders, we'd get pushed to the back of the line. So that was an issue because we hadn't made a big order yet, so our suppliers don't know that we're going to come through on it,” Zilly said.
With product now available, Zilly said the response has been overwhelming. Though the setbacks were frustrating, he said it gave him and Tucker time for things like ensuring all the shoes had similar fits and crafting the story behind the company.
“We've gotten great press from Runner's World and Gear Junkie, among other places,” Zilly said. “Having a new brand, that's something, but having a completely new concept of running shoes, it brings it to another level.”
Though the company began with the intent to only do direct-to-consumer business, Zilly said Vimazi has found success showing their shoes to runners at races, so they can try the shoes on and get a feel for the products.
Last summer, Vimazi held its third seed funding round that increased its funding to $2.6 million. Going into 2023, Zilly expects to hold a fourth seed round to help manage its inventory and invest in marketing, including going to events to reach more runners.
Vimazi’s six shoes all go for the same price of $175, and preorders will begin shipping in early February, according to its website.
