Tingit, a Vilnius-based startup focusing on zero-effort fashion repairs, recently announced securing €500,000 in a pre-seed funding round. The investment round saw participation from international VC funds, including Lithuanian VC fund Firstpick, Latvia-based BADideas.fund, Czech Republic’s PurposeTech, and Germany’s Heartfelt Capital. The funds will be utilized to expand Tingit’s operations and develop new features for its platform, which aims to promote sustainable consumption by making fashion repairs more accessible.
Tingit was co-founded in 2023 by Indrė Viltrakytė, who has over 15 years of experience in the fashion industry, along with three partners including Robertas Kalinkinas and Tadas Maslauskas. The startup addresses the massive issue of textile waste, with 92 million tons generated globally each year. Tingit connects consumers with repair specialists, providing a seamless repair experience through its app. The company focuses on fashion items initially but plans to expand to other industries like sports goods, toys, and consumer electronics.
Challenges and Solutions
The textile waste problem has been a persistent issue, with items often discarded after just a few wears. Tingit aims to counter this by promoting circular business models, making repairs not only convenient but also a part of everyday consumer habits. The startup has already completed over 600 orders and handled more than 2,500 repair requests, with a significant portion coming from repeat customers. The raised capital will be used to launch the Service Provider Gateway, which allows repair specialists to offer their services independently through the platform.
The trend of after-sales repairs is gaining traction, with major brands like Zara and Uniqlo introducing such services. Tingit aims to be at the forefront of this movement by making repairs as easy as possible. “We want to be the first name that comes to mind when people think about any kind of repair,” said co-founder Viltrakytė. The upcoming API will enable brands, e-commerce sites, and marketplaces to integrate Tingit’s repair network into their operations, further promoting sustainable consumerism.
Future Prospects
Co-founder and CTO Tadas Maslauskas highlighted the ease of the repair process through Tingit’s platform, where users can upload a quick video to receive a tailored repair quote. This streamlined approach eliminates the hassle of selecting a service upfront, making repairs more accessible. The success in Lithuania has prompted plans to expand to other countries by early 2025. The startup also envisions expanding into other sectors such as sports goods and consumer electronics, thereby broadening its impact on sustainable consumption.
The VC investors recognize the potential in tech-driven solutions that extend the lifespan of goods. They see Tingit’s model as a valuable addition to the sustainable consumerism market, akin to the success of Lithuania’s unicorn Vinted. CEO Viltrakytė emphasized, “Our possessions need and can be maintained to remain in use. We want to make repairs so simple it becomes a habit, just like brushing your teeth.” This vision aligns with a growing societal shift towards more sustainable consumption habits.
Tingit’s innovative approach to fashion repairs positions it well to address the significant issue of textile waste. The startup’s focus on making repairs accessible and convenient could lead to substantial reductions in waste and promote more sustainable consumer behaviors. By integrating with brands and marketplaces, Tingit can further amplify its impact, making it a key player in the repair economy. The planned expansion into other industries and countries signifies the startup’s ambitious goals to revolutionize the repair sector globally.
