Marketplace giant eBay has concluded its 2025 Circular Fashion Fund by announcing the Circular Fashion Innovator of the Year winner, and four country winners.
US-based Refiberd was announced the overall winner from 12 shortlisted businesses across the UK, Germany, and Australia.
The $300,000 funding is aimed to scale the impact of Refiberd’s AI system that can discern exactly what different fabrics are made of, allowing them to be accurately sorted and recycled. Their technology can be integrated into existing recycling infrastructures to sort materials and ensure they’re processed using the right methods—helping recyclers turn textile waste into new, usable fibres. By enabling more efficient recycling, Refiberd aims to tackle the industry’s waste-sorting dilemma and drive true circularity in fashion.
Country finalists, will receive grants starting at $50,000, includes UK-founded Sojo which makes repairs easy with door-to-door service to keep clothes in use longer.
Moot (Made Out of Trash) from Germany offers a comprehensive upcycling plug-in to enable brands to seamlessly integrate scalable upcycling solutions.
Wile, Shopfront in Australia uses AI to streamline the fashion resale process across multiple marketplaces simplifying the clothing resale process.
“As the pioneering secondary marketplace, eBay has been driving circularity in fashion since its inception 30 years ago,” said Alexis Hoopes, VP global head of fashion at eBay.
“It’s a critical time for the fashion industry, and eBay’s Circular Fashion Fund—and the eBay platform at-large—are propelling the industry forward, enabling innovative ideas to help shape brand and consumer behaviours.”
Learn how brands including Currys, Decathlon, Holland & Barrett and New Look are embedding sustainable practices and demonstrating greater transparency at SustainabilityX this May.
As part of RetailX Event’s Spring Festival, SustainabilityX uncovers the latest innovations and best-practice on delivering sustainable retail, whilst leveraging consumer buy-in. Discover how leading brands are differentiating themselves, building trust with consumers and delivering a better shopper experience, whilst also satisfying regulatory requirements and nurturing their bottom line.
Stay informed
Our editor carefully curates two newsletters a week filled with up-to-date news, analysis and research, click here to subscribe to the FREE newsletter sent straight to your inbox and why not follow us on LinkedIn to receive the latest updates on our research and analysis.