Women's soccer cleat maker Ida Sports files to raise $4.19M

What's the deal? Ida SportsDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, a maker of soccer cleats designed for women, has filed a notice with the US Securities and Exchange Commission to raise up to $4.19 million in new funding. The filing, made under Regulation D, was disclosed in October 2026.

What's the endgame? Ida Sports builds cleats specifically for female players, with custom outsoles that address differences between men's and women's feet. The company says its designs aim to eliminate pain points such as blisters, black toes, and pinching from too narrow a fit.

Why now? The company traces its origins to a Guinness World Record set with the Equal Playing Field Initiative for the highest-altitude soccer game, staged to highlight gender inequality in sport. Co-founders Laura Youngson and Ben Sandhu then spent two years working with podiatrists, physical therapists, coaches, and more than 800 female players to develop the product.

Youngson, the company's chief executive officer, has said Ida is dedicated to "prioritizing athletes who have traditionally been an afterthought."

The signal: Ida Sports is betting that a growing women's game needs equipment built for women, not scaled-down versions of men's gear. The raise gives it capital to pursue that niche as interest in women's football climbs.

Read more: intelligence360.news

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