UK-based platform Sojo has achieved a major milestone in its start-up journey, securing over $2.4 million in a pre-seed funding round. The round was led by CapitalIT, with participation from Ascension, Mustard Seed MAZE (MSM), Vertex Albion Capital, and 10×10 Angel Syndicate. Sojo, founded by Josephine Philips, aims to revolutionize the clothing repair and tailoring sector in order to make the fashion industry more circular.
Josephine Philips, a vintage fashion enthusiast, faced difficulties in finding secondhand pieces in her size and often had to have them altered. Frustrated by the lack of convenient options for tailoring, she decided to bridge the gap by connecting customers to local seamster businesses through an app and bicycle delivery service. This idea was further fueled by the potential for significant growth in the secondhand fashion market and the fashion industry’s waste problem.
As the need for circular solutions to reduce the environmental impact of consumer society becomes increasingly evident, CapitalT Founding Partners Janneke Niessen and Eva de Mol stressed the urgency of these initiatives. They commended Josephine Philips as an exceptional founder, highlighting her ability to combine visionary strategy with effective execution.
Since its launch in 2021, Sojo has raised a total of $2.7 million in funding, including a $400,000 angel investment round in September of the same year. The latest funding round comes at a pivotal point in the company’s evolution as it plans to expand across all aspects of its business. Sojo has already made a foray into the B2B space through a partnership with Ganni, offering free tailoring and repair services to its customers in London. The company intends to expand this service nationwide after the initial pilot phase.
The funding received will enable Sojo to scale up its team and further develop its B2B proposition. However, the company remains committed to its B2C business and recently relaunched its app in March to enhance the user experience. At present, Sojo’s services are available in London zones 1-2, but the company has ambitious plans to expand within the capital city and throughout the rest of the UK in 2022.
Sojo’s innovative approach to clothing repair and tailoring has attracted significant investment, positioning the company for further growth and impact in the fashion industry. With a mission to make fashion more circular, Sojo is well-positioned to address environmental challenges and contribute to a more sustainable future.
For more information about Sojo and its initiatives, visit their official website: https://www.sojoapp.co.uk.
To learn more about the importance of circular fashion and sustainable practices, visit this resource: https://www.greenstrategy.se/what-is-circular-fashion/.
