Know the Origin raises £300k from GC Angels and an angel investor to expand its team and product lines.
The seed round was backed by GC Angels and an angel investor to fund team expansion and product development.
Know the Origin is an ethical and sustainable online marketplace that offers responsibly sourced clothing and eco-friendly household goods. The firm operates pop-up events and supplies products from numerous independent conscious brands alongside its own label.
Know the Origin has secured £300k in seed funding from GC Angels and an unnamed angel investor. The Manchester-based marketplace will direct the capital towards expanding its headcount from four to 10 employees by the end of the year, alongside developing a website redesign featuring an interactive supply chain map.
Founded by Charlotte Instone, the company stocks over 75 ethical brands and organic homewares. The fresh capital will also support the creation of a new range of own-label products and enable deeper partnerships with ethical producers following the company's recent relocation to Ancoats.
From the founder
"As a relatively new company, we are growing rapidly with the increased demand for ethically-sourced and sustainable products across the UK. Jess and the rest of the GC Angels team have been really helpful throughout the investment journey in pointing us in the right direction when it comes to new contacts and events. They understood our vision to be the most transparent marketplace in the industry, and we are looking forward to expanding with this investment and working together as we grow."
Charlotte Instone
CEO at Know the Origin
Investor perspective
"Climate change is something that we are all becoming increasingly aware of, and the effects that the fashion industry is having on the environment are becoming more prevalent. As such, it is more important than ever that consumers can shop sustainably, and demand is rocketing for stores than can offer these products conveniently. We really connected with Charlotte and her brand and we’re excited to see the imminent growth of Know the Origin."
Jessica Jackson
Investment Director, GC Angels
Use of funds
- 01Grow the team
- 02Continue product development
Investors
Categories
About the company
Know the Origin
Know the Origin operates a sustainable and ethical marketplace for clothing and lifestyle goods.