Liverpool’s Birl is gearing up for Nordic growth with significant financial backing.
- A £500k pre-seed investment has unlocked an additional £350k Innovate UK grant for Birl.
- Birl offers a user-friendly way to resell clothing directly on brand websites, fostering sustainability.
- The platform will soon expand to sports shirt trade-in solutions, partnering with major clubs.
- Birl is on course for a £1m revenue target by 2025, supported by effective brand partnerships.
Liverpool-based startup Birl is poised for expansion into the Nordic regions, bolstered by substantial financial support. With a successful pre-seed investment of £500k and the unlocking of an additional £350k Innovate UK grant, the company is well-positioned to advance its mission of reducing waste in the fashion industry.
Birl provides a straightforward solution for consumers to trade pre-owned clothing directly on brand websites, presenting a sustainable alternative to traditional platforms like eBay and Vinted. The company aims to address the pressing issue of waste in the fashion sector, where over 100 billion clothing items are produced annually, yet less than 5% are resold.
In a forward-thinking move, Birl is set to enhance its platform by including sports shirt trade-in options. This will launch through partnerships with several football and rugby clubs, allowing fans to exchange used shirts for credit towards new purchases, promoting both sustainability and ease of acquisition.
The platform’s technology facilitates a no-touch solution for brands by integrating a trade-in button on websites. This feature allows consumers to receive instant credit, paving the way for an efficient resale process that aligns with modern e-commerce trends. “We truly believe that re-commerce will transform shopping much like e-commerce did,” said Peter Lydon, co-founder and chief product officer.
In terms of revenue, Birl is aiming for a £1m target by 2025, leveraging partnerships and market growth. The company’s Liverpool roots play a crucial role in its strategy, benefiting from the city’s dynamic tech and fashion scenes. Birl continues to expand its team to support this anticipated growth.
Birl’s strategic expansion and innovative approach underscore its commitment to a sustainable fashion future.
