November 24, 2024

Fleek, the innovative wholesale marketplace for second-hand fashion, has raised $20.4 million to bring the fragmented, offline second-hand clothing industry online.

The Series A funding round was led by HV Capital, with participation from Andreesen Horowitz (a16z) and Y Combinator. Founders and operators from prominent technology companies like Shopify’s President (Harley Finkelstein), Depop’s ex-CEO (Maria Raga), and Postmates’ CTO (Sean Plaice) have also invested. The previous seed round was led by a16z.

Founded in 2021 by Abhi Arora and Sanket Agarwal, Fleek addresses one of the second-hand fashion industry’s biggest challenges: sourcing inventory from a highly fragmented, offline market. The second-hand fashion industry, valued at $200 billion, is expected to grow three times faster than the overall apparel market, reaching $350 billion by 2028.

Fleek’s platform connects over 1,000 suppliers with more than 10,000 resellers across 70 countries. By offering a seamless online marketplace, Fleek enables access to desirable second-hand inventory with competitive pricing, buyer protection, and global logistics support. The platform’s interactive social features, such as chat and live video shopping, foster direct connections between buyers and suppliers, creating a dynamic shopping experience.

Abhi Arora, co-founder and CEO of Fleek, said, “Our mission is clear: to make second-hand the first choice. With this funding, we aim to empower more businesses to embrace sustainable fashion.”

Fleek also leverages AI and predictive analytics to help suppliers understand market trends, enabling buyers to source trending categories like vintage streetwear and upcycled clothing in bulk. This data-driven approach positions Fleek to play a key role in promoting sustainable fashion, offering a viable alternative to fast fashion’s environmental impact.

Felix Klühr, General Partner at HV Capital, commented, “Fleek is redefining the second-hand fashion landscape and setting the stage for a more sustainable future in fashion. We’re excited to support their growth.”

With offices in the UK, Pakistan, and India, Fleek is poised to further transform the wholesale fashion market by providing a streamlined, accessible solution for businesses worldwide looking to enter or expand in the second-hand apparel market.

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Fleek secures $20.4M to bring global wholesale second-hand fashion market online