Following the successful launch of the Circular Fashion Fund in 2022, leading marketplace, eBay UK, has today announced its £100,000 fund will return for a second year, in partnership with The British Fashion Council.
The Fund, which will offer up to six £25,000 grants to small businesses, exists to invest in and bring new technology and services to the circular economy, with a particular focus on innovation around customer experience, circular inventory & services and social commerce. Environmental charity, Hubbub will also support in an advisory role, drawing on its experience in delivering high-profile grant funds.
Applications are open from now until Friday 20th October 2023, and innovative tech start-ups and small businesses can apply via a simple form on eBay’s website here. The judging criteria is focused on four key assessment areas; innovation, circularity, scalability and sustainability. A shortlist of ten businesses will be invited to pitch to a panel of fashion and sustainability industry experts and leading organisations. Alongside our partners from The BFC, Hubbub and The Ellen MacArthur Foundation our expert panel include:
- Jane Shepherdson CBE, Sustainability Industry Expert, ex Whistles and Topshop
- Joe Metcalf, founder of Thrift +
- Hugo Adams, CEO Kelpi Sustainable Materials
- Amy Bannerman, eBay’s Pre-loved Style Director
- Kirsty Keoghan, Global GM of Fashion at eBay
Alongside the financial support, finalists will receive a six-week mentoring program, industry networking opportunities and a platform to showcase their innovative circular fashion solutions to a wider audience.
The Fund returns as appetite for secondhand and circular fashion continues to grow with one pre-loved sale every second one eBay UK. It also builds on eBay’s long-standing support to accelerate and scale the fashion circular economy.
eBay’s Global GM of Fashion, Kirsty Keoghan, said: “The UK fashion industry is at the forefront of innovation driving to make circularity the future of fashion. At eBay, we’ve seen first hand that start-ups and small businesses are a significant driving force behind this ambition for change. Following the hugely successful first year of the Fund, we’re committed to identifying and scaling more UK businesses to help make the change we all want to see.”
Caroline Rush, CEO at the British Fashion Council, said: “We are excited to announce our renewed partnership with eBay after a successful first year. We aim to support and assist businesses in preparing for positive change by embracing innovation, which is fundamental to our mission. We firmly believe that everyone has a role to play in building a brighter future for the fashion industry and aiding the growth of companies that are accelerating the circular economy in fashion is key to this. We look forward to continuing to champion the remarkable advances which are being made in the industry.”
Providing testimony to the impact of the Fund, 2022 finalist Oli Pepper at Circular Inc, which provides circular design and sustainable manufacturing to accompany radio frequency identification (RFID)-assisted commercial repair and upcycling of clothing, said: “The eBay Circular Fashion Fund was an excellent opportunity. From a simple application to becoming one of finalists, the process was clearly handled and the rewards great. Not only from the financial point of view but importantly from the superb mentorship and the valuable connections with other businesses in the circular economy. The program has made people, brands and organisations sit up and take notice of what we have achieved.’’
Layla Sargent, Founder and CEO of The Seam said: “It was truly rewarding to be a part of the Circular Fashion Fund. A key business focus for us is helping people keep their items in circulation for longer, and the prize fund directly helped with this objective - to scale our Maker network to new locations and increase the types of services which we’re able to offer. Now, we’re able to provide repair and restorations across accessories, expanding on our already existing offering of clothing, bags and footwear. As a small company with a two-sided marketplace, our plan for the future is to work with the fund to help make logistics smooth for both parties involved in any transaction - a process eBay does better than any other player on the market.”
Among one of the winning solutions in 2022 was a shoe that grows with a growing child’s foot and can be cleanly disassembled into component parts for recycling. Speaking on the impact of the Fund, owners Pip and Henry said: “Winning the eBay Circular Fashion Fund has been fantastic at many levels - from getting to meet the other winners through to being mentored by eBay execs and their partners (like Hubbub and the British Fashion Council). The entire experience was very positive and collaborative and has inspired ideas and partnerships that will thrive long after the receipt of the award.’’
Recent announcements in support of the circular economy from eBay UK include:
- The marketplace returning for the third season as Love Island’s Pre-Loved Fashion Partner in a bid to change perceptions around second-hand shopping
- The launch of eBay’s Pre-Loved Wedding Hub, offering a more sustainable and cost-effective option for shoppers to get designer wedding outfits from top brands.
- The acquisition of Certilogo to further enhance the pre-loved fashion category with digital ID technology.
- The launch of the Carbon Academy, an interactive self-learning experience, created in collaboration with ClimatePartner - a one-stop-shop to help you apply actionable steps, at ones own pace, to accelerate your sustainability journey.
Following the success of the fund that launched last year in the UK, today eBay Australia are also launching the initiative.