Singapore-based fashion resale startup Refash has raised US$294,000 in seed round by Tri5 Ventures.
Aiming to help women clear their wardrobe of unwanted items such as clothing, bags, and accessories, the startup has created a system to pick unwanted items from users and sell them on the platform.
The business is thriving on the growing acceptance among women of buying and using pre-loved clothing.
The startup believes in the environmental consequences of its concept: Singaporeans are reportedly disposing up to 41.5 million kilograms (8kg per person) of unwanted clothing each year.
“Rather than just throwing away, I believe in the immense potential in the problems we are solving – bursting closets, clothes wastage and rising landfills to dispose [of] these clothes,” said Refash CEO and Founder Aloysius Sng.
Since launching in January 2016, the company has sold more than 30,000 ‘pre-loved’ items and amassed close to S$400,000 (US$294,323) in sales.
With the new funding, Refash plans to enhance its technology – on its website and back-end inventory system.
A B2B network will be built in order to force internal and regional consumption.
Other investors joining the pitching include Malaysian Tinkbig Ventures, who is looking forward to launch Refash in Malaysia by end of the year, and an undisclosed angel investor.