Clothing repair and alterations business Sojo has been named the UK winner of the 2025 eBay Circular Fashion Fund.
The three UK finalists were described by eBay as “trailblazing businesses” that are “driving the future of circular fashion”. Sojo, which has established strategic partnerships with Reiss, Marks & Spencer, and Arket, is named the winner and will enter a global final.
FibreLab, which transforms waste textiles into PaperTex and custom furniture, and aims to revolutionise textile recycling, and AI-powered app Whering, which helps people extend the lives of items in their wardrobes by supporting resale, were the UK runners-up.
Ebay Circular Fashion Fund is run in partnership with the British Fashion Council (BFC), and there is an ambition to help change how the world thinks about circular fashion.
This year the fund was seeking organisations to challenge the norm with innovative technologies and circular practices to support fashion. All those selected are set to receive funding to help take their businesses to the next level, with the leading lights globally getting a chance to receive an additional investment.
The exact funding is yet to be revealed but from the outset the eBay Circular Fashion Fund was promising up to £50,000 to selected parties to expand their businesses and a chance to gain an additional $300,000 investment. Throughout the process participants have had access to a bespoke mentorship programme with industry experts and exclusive networking opportunities with likeminded organisations and inspirational figures.
The extra investment of $300,000 will come from eBay Ventures, eBay’s venture capital arm, and it is the first time this additional funding has been made available.
As well as the BFC in the UK, eBay has partnered with the Council of Fashion Designers of America, Fashion Council Germany, and the Australian Fashion Council in the respective regions where the fund operates.
Kirsty Keoghan, global general manager of fashion at eBay, said at the launch: “The Circular Fashion Fund is a catalyst for collaboration by combining the global scale and power of established companies like eBay with the creativity and innovation of nimble start-ups.
“We’re not only helping to scale circular solutions but also bringing together the most knowledgeable and respected experts in the industry. Together, we’re making a positive impact on the circular economy and truly reshaping the future of fashion.”
[image credit: eBay]
