eBay Australia, the original marketplace for recommerce, has announced a global expansion of its Circular Fashion Fund (CFF) to help fashion start-ups scale circular solutions, from production to end-of-life, including rental and repair services. Applications for eBay’s CFF are open from now until 15 November 2024, and innovative tech start-ups, small businesses, social enterprises and charities can apply* via eBay’s site here.
Since it launched in the UK in 2022, the CFF has helped 15 businesses scale their circular solutions, including the three funding recipients of the inaugural CFF in Australia. The Australian recipients included the overall winner, Dempstah, a design practice that recycles Australian textile waste into spun yarn, and runners-up RCYCL and The Very Good Bra.
The CFF will provide a global investment of $1.2 million USD to start-ups in the global markets by the end of 2025 and over 200 hours of mentoring and networking support for applicants from industry experts. To further amplify its impact, eBay Ventures, eBay’s venture capital arm, will select one winner from the global selection of market winners to become “Circular Fashion Innovator of the Year” and receive an investment of $300,000 USD.
“At eBay, we’re committed to creating economic opportunity for all while driving positive change in the fashion industry. The Circular Fashion Fund exemplifies the power of collaboration and innovation between companies like eBay and fashion start-ups. By uniting our resources and expertise, we’re scaling circular fashion businesses to help build a more sustainable future and reduce clothing going to landfill,” said eBay Australia’s Fashion Lead, Anne-Marie Cheney.
The Fund will enter its second year in Australia in partnership with the Australian Fashion Council (AFC). The winner will receive a $100,000 AUD cash prize, whilst the two runner-ups will receive $50,000 AUD each. All three finalists will receive bespoke mentoring sessions, educational workshops and networking opportunities. A judging panel of industry experts across fashion, academia, and sustainability will choose the winners.
This panel includes:
- Jaana Quaintance-James, CEO Australian Fashion Council
- James Chin-Moody, Founder and CEO of Sendle
- Dr Lisa Lake, Director of the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Fashion & Textiles, UTS
- Rosanna Iaconno, CEO, The Growth Activists
- Danielle Kent, General Manager Industry Transformation, Seamless
- Liandra Gaykamangu, Founder, Liandra
- Bernadetter Olivier, Founder and CEO, The Volte
- Henri Jaanimagi, Global Head of eBay Ventures & Strategic Partnerships
- Rebecca Newton, Chief Marketing Officer & Director of Category at eBay Australia
- Anne-Marie Cheney, Fashion Lead eBay Australia
“The last six months have been incredible since we won the Circular Fashion Fund. The Fund has enabled us to attend major industry events worldwide, kickstart new collaborations and invest in our own manufacturing machinery. We’ve also connected with key stakeholders in both government and the Australian textile industry, keen to support our work and guide us towards further funding and development opportunities,” said founder of Dempstah and 2024 CFF winner in Australia, Guy Dempster.
“Building on the success of the inaugural Circular Fashion Fund in Australia, we’re excited to see the innovative solutions this year’s applicants propose. Initiatives like this Fund help accelerate innovation and support the Australian industry to create more sustainable and circular business models. By fostering creativity and resilience within our industry, we can pave the way toward a more sustainable future for fashion,” said CEO of the Australian Fashion Council, Jaana Quaintance-James.
eBay’s Circular Fashion Fund is a global initiative that began in the UK in 2022. Now in its third year in the UK, the CFF is set to launch in the US and Germany for the first time, having successfully expanded to Australia last year. eBay Australia, along with the global markets, will run the Fund with the goal of forming an international alumni of circular fashion businesses, helping to pave the way for a more circular future.
