Sustainable clothing brand UNIREC, which specializes in clothing made from recycled PET bottles, has achieved a significant milestone in its quest for a more environmentally friendly future. The company announced the successful closure of a seed funding round, securing a substantial investment of US $ 190,000 (Rs 1.5 crore) from BeyondSeed, a prominent Singapore-based seed fund, it announced in a release on Saturday.
The US $ 190,000 (Rs 1.5 crore) seed funding, exclusively provided by BeyondSeed, is strategically designated to facilitate market expansion and enhance research and development efforts for the creation of innovative, sustainable fabrics. This financial injection positions UNIREC to make a considerable impact on the expanding market opportunities in a sustainable fashion.
Over the last 18 months, UNIREC has achieved noteworthy milestones, selling over 25,000 garments produced from recycled PET bottles. This not only equates to the recycling of 300,000 PET bottles but also signifies a remarkable reduction of over 100 tonnes of carbon emissions and the recycling of 6,000 kilograms of plastic bottles.
“Our focus is on scaling rapidly, both online and offline. Currently, we have manufactured 40,000 garments in 18 months, of which 25,000 have already been sold. Our immediate goal, fuelled by this funding round, is to manufacture and sell 25,000 garments every month, ensuring that the environmental impact achieved in the past 18 months is replicated every month,” stated Kapil Bhatia, CEO and Founder of UNIREC.
“This marks a significant milestone for UNIREC. We are grateful for the support of BeyondSeed and are excited to accelerate our mission of creating sustainable fashion that makes a positive impact on the environment,” added Bhatia.
BeyondSeed, a member-driven growth engine, plays a crucial role in supporting early-stage startups like UNIREC, providing founders with access to essential resources, including capital, talent, mentorship, and expert guidance. Speaking on behalf of BeyondSeed, Kuldeep Mirani, Co-Founder & CEO, commented, “This strategic partnership between UNIREC and BeyondSeed underscores the commitment to turning the global problem of plastic waste into an opportunity. We are excited to back not just a great idea but also a very able and passionate team with the vision to address an issue of global concern.”
Each garment produced by UNIREC contributes to the recycling of 10 plastic bottles on average. The brand offers a diverse range of clothing, including t-shirts, formal jackets, sleeveless jackets, trousers, and shirts, emphasizing the intersection of fashion and sustainability.
UNIREC’s vision is to create a sustainable world, ensuring zero effect on climate and zero defects in the products manufactured. The brand’s product range includes formal jackets, sleeveless jackets, trousers, shirts, and t-shirts. The Mumbai-based UNIREC currently sells via e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart.
