Case Study: How One Startup Boosted Team Spirit with Custom Hoodies

Case Study: How One Startup Boosted Team Spirit with Custom Hoodies

Case Study: How One Startup Boosted Team Spirit with Custom Hoodies

August 11, 2025 — Prerna Haldar

Introduction: The Startup Culture Challenge

Startups are fast-paced, high-pressure environments. Teams often work long hours, pivot frequently, and face uncertain outcomes. In such a culture, building team spirit and belonging is crucial.

This is where custom merchandise — something as simple as a hoodie — can make a huge difference.

At Alma Mater Store, we recently worked with a growing Indian startup that wanted to strengthen team unity. Here’s how customized hoodies transformed their culture.

Read Also : Why Premium Quality Matters in Team T-Shirts

About the Startup

  • Industry: Fintech

  • Team Size: ~120 employees

  • Location: Bangalore

  • Stage: Series A funded

  • Problem: The founders felt employees were working in silos and lacked a sense of “one team, one mission.”

The Challenge

The startup had:

  • Rapid team expansion (from 30 → 120 in less than a year).

  • Employees working in hybrid mode (remote + office).

  • Need for a symbol of identity that would bring everyone together.

The HR team reached out to Alma Mater Store for a solution.

The Solution: Custom Hoodies

We suggested premium custom hoodies with:

  • Company logo on the chest.

  • Bold slogan (“Finteching the Future”) across the back.

  • Navy blue color (professional + stylish).

  • Mix of pullover and zipper hoodies for employee preference.

 Why hoodies? Because they’re casual, versatile, and instantly wearable across office and offsite events.

Execution Process

  1. Design Consultation → Alma Mater’s design team created 3 mockups.

  2. Sample Approval → The startup tested 2 hoodie samples for quality.

  3. Bulk Order → Final order of 150 hoodies placed (to cover employees + new hires).

  4. Delivery Timeline → Delivered in 9 business days across Bangalore and remote employees’ addresses.

The Results

After distribution, the company saw immediate cultural benefits:

  • Employee Engagement
    Wearing the same hoodie created a sense of unity. Employees posted team photos on LinkedIn, tagging the company — boosting employer branding.

  • Social Media Visibility
    The hashtag #OneTeamOneMission (printed on the hoodie sleeve) started trending internally, and even clients noticed the posts.

  • Recruitment Impact
    New hires felt instantly connected. During onboarding, they received a hoodie as part of their welcome kit.

  • Retention & Belonging
    The HR head reported higher morale: “The hoodies weren’t just clothing — they became part of our identity.”

Employee Testimonials

  • “I felt like part of something bigger when we all wore the same hoodie at our offsite.”

  • “Even my family noticed the hoodie quality — I wear it everywhere.”

  • “It made the company feel real, like we’re not just employees, but a team.”

Why Hoodies Work So Well for Startups

  1. Symbol of Culture → Startup life is about hustle; hoodies represent that casual, driven vibe.

  2. Practicality → Perfect for India’s air-conditioned offices and Bangalore’s weather.

  3. Longevity → Employees wear them for months, ensuring long-term visibility.

  4. Employer Branding → Every photo in a hoodie is free marketing.

Real Comparisons

We’ve seen multiple startups use merchandise to shape culture:

  • A Delhi-based EdTech startup gifted custom T-shirts → helped new interns feel included.

  • A Mumbai-based SaaS company gave hoodies + mugs as onboarding kits → boosted retention.

  • But this fintech startup’s focus on premium hoodies alone created a single, strong, unifying identity.

Key Takeaways from This Case Study

  • Premium hoodies = higher adoption and brand love.

  • Small teams can start with 10 pieces; larger teams can scale to 500+.

  • Custom slogans create emotional connect.

  • Distribution during onboarding/offsites maximizes impact.

Why Startups Trust Alma Mater Store

  • Bulk orders starting from 10 units (with discounts).

  • Premium fabrics (cotton, fleece, poly blends).

  • Trusted by IIMs, IITs, and India’s fastest-growing startups.

  • Delivery to multiple addresses (for remote teams).

  • Design consultation included.

Conclusion

In today’s startup ecosystem, culture is everything. And sometimes, building culture starts with something as simple as a hoodie.

For this fintech startup, customized hoodies became more than apparel — they became a shared symbol of mission, pride, and belonging.

At Alma Mater Store, we’re proud to be a part of such stories, helping startups, colleges, and corporates across India bring their teams closer with premium merchandise.

Get in Touch

Want to create custom hoodies for your startup?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How many hoodies should a startup order to begin with?
Most startups begin with 10–50 hoodies for their core team, then scale as they grow.

Q2. What’s the cost of custom hoodies for startups?
Prices range from ₹799–₹999 per hoodie in bulk (10+ units).

Q3. Can hoodies be customized with both logos and text?
Yes, we can add logos, slogans, employee names, or event branding.

Q4. How long does delivery take for startups?
7–10 business days for bulk orders (10–500 units).

Q5. Can startups order a mix of zipper and pullover hoodies?
Absolutely. You can split the order into different styles and sizes.