Finalists named for 2024 Circular Fashion Innovators Fund

Ebay UK and the British Fashion Council have named the second annual Circular Fashion Innovators Fund cohort, including Swoperz, a subscription-based preloved kids' clothing community.

The Circular Fashion Innovator’s Fund offers 15,000 pounds in funding for each of the winning small businesses specialising in circular fashion solutions to bring new technology and services to the market to help people think and shop differently. There is a particular focus on early-stage businesses that focus on areas such as customer experience, circular inventory and services, and social commerce.

On top of the financial support, winners also participate in a six-week mentoring programme featuring one-on-one sessions with business leaders from Ebay and organisations, including the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and environmental charity Hubbub, an ongoing advisor for the fund, and networking opportunities.

The six 2024 cohorts offer a variety of sustainable solutions, from rental models to curated children’s pre-loved clothes boxes, including Swoperz, a subscription-based preloved kids' clothing community with a difference, as it is run by kids and managed by grownups, which was crowned the ‘ultimate winner’ following a competitive pitch process last month. The win means that Swoperz secured 25,000 pounds to scale up its business.

Vicky Fuller, from Swoperz, said in a statement: “Not only will the £25,000 help us scale our business, but the access to mentorship from fashion industry leaders will truly take us to the next level. Ebay and the British Fashion Council share our vision for a sustainable future for fashion, and we can’t wait to share an update on our progress over the next year.”

Swoperz names ‘Ultimate Winner’ of Ebay UK and BFC’s 2024 Circular Fashion Innovators Fund

Other finalists include Give Your Best, a circular platform where people and brands donate clothes online, so vulnerable people in the UK such as refugees or trafficking victims can shop for clothes online for free with the agency and dignity they deserve and Made Super, which enables rental business models on Shopify. Their beta product Supercycle® allows merchants to offer rental membership, manage inventory and returns, and sell via Shopify.

While Finds World is a social marketplace that lets people use videos to buy and sell the best secondhand, vintage and handmade fashion, and connect with like-minded people, and Thrifthood is a female-founded online retailer of second-hand childrenswear. Any items not resold are donated to families in need, such as toys, bibs and bedding.

The final cohort is Loanhood, a circular commerce platform, including a fashion rental marketplace app and a business-to-business solution for SMEs. Jemma Tadd, head of fashion at Ebay UK, said: “We are dedicated to empowering the UK's most innovative thinkers who are pioneering solutions for fashion waste and driving a circular fashion economy.

“I am immensely proud of this initiative and can’t wait to see this year’s Circular Fashion Innovator’s Fund winners grow with our support. Together, we are truly reimagining the future of fashion.”

Caroline Rush, chief executive at the British Fashion Council, added: “We are delighted to work with Ebay again on the Circular Fashion Innovator’s Fund. As an organisation, we have an important role to play in supporting and empowering businesses in preparing for positive change by embracing innovation. I look forward to following the remarkable advances which are being made in this year’s finalists.”