Reza Illuminates the Footwear Industry with Innovative Light-Up Shoes
Reza: The Startup Lighting Up Footwear Innovation
Jack Krebsbach, a student at Hope College, and his childhood friend Mustafa Syed have founded Reza, an innovative startup redefining illuminated footwear. Their journey began with a simple yet transformative question: How can they create a distinctive product to enhance the safety of nighttime walkers and runners?
In their high school years, the duo experimented with incorporating electroluminescent wire into their shoes, resulting in wearable, attention-grabbing light sources. Testing their concept in Ann Arbor, Michigan, garnered an overwhelmingly positive response.
In 2021, their visibility skyrocketed when an investor introduced their prototype shoes to EDM artist and DJ Steve Aoki, who donned them on stage. This led to a rapid sell-out of 500 pairs within two hours. Overnight, Reza transitioned from obscurity to high demand, with thousands eager to join the exclusive shipping list.
In 2022, Reza sold 2,000 pairs of shoes featuring cutting-edge Fibrance Fiber laser diode lights, creating a futuristic and elegant aesthetic. With a waitlist exceeding 70,000, Reza is poised for further growth, committed to customer satisfaction and positive impact as they continue to shine in the footwear industry.
Read more in Grand Rapids Mag.