Passionate about textiles, upcycling, and fostering inclusion in design. Committed to redesigning systems for a more sustainable and equitable world.
During a lecture on Venture Capital and Angel Investors at CBS today, I couldn’t help but reflect on how VC funding plays a significant role in driving fast, scalable business models and on research found them behind many fast fashion brands. Companies like Shein, which has raised $4 billion, and Cider, backed by Andreessen Horowitz and valued at $1 billion, are examples. While Cider claims its on-demand inventory makes it more ethical, that’s still debatable. We know the mechanics of fast fashion: rapid production is often made possible by using cheap materials, underpaid labor, and sometimes by replicating designs. These practices raise serious concerns about labor violations and environmental impact. Despite these red flags, VCs continue to back such ventures, chasing short-term profits. Meanwhile, new and innovative sustainable startups, which could actually drive meaningful change, often struggle to get the support they need. This disparity in funding makes it harder for truly ethical solutions to scale. While VCs may not be able to reform the fast-fashion industry overnight, perhaps it’s time to start thinking critically about the long-term consequences of funding it — and the missed opportunity in not backing more sustainable alternatives and helping them scale up! #funding #venturecapital #angelinvestors #equity #crowdfunding #sustainability #fashion #capitalism
Communication & Branding for Social Enterprise
2moVery good point. The responsibility of ‘curbing’ (for lack of better word) should lie at every level and not just with the end users. The concious choice needs to be made at every step!