Since its UK launch in 2022, the CFF has supported 15 businesses in scaling their circular fashion initiatives. Notable successes include The Seam, which offers scalable garment care and repair services to prolong the life of clothing, and RCYCL, which developed a home-based recycling programme for unwearable garments. Following its successful expansion to Australia last year, the fund is now set to launch in the US and Germany for the first time.

The initiative aligns with the British Fashion Council's goals of addressing the environmental impact of the fashion industry and tackling the ongoing climate crisis. As part of eBay's commitment to promoting the circular economy, the global expansion of the CFF seeks to foster innovation and encourage a shift in how consumers and businesses approach fashion. Through this initiative, eBay aims to transform the shopping experience, making it easier for brands, sellers, and buyers to participate in the circular fashion movement.

The CFF will provide a global investment of $1.2 million to start-ups in the global markets by the end of 2025, and over 200 hours of mentoring and networking support for applicants from industry experts. Past judges have included Hugo Adams, CEO Kelpi Sustainable Materials and KITX Founder Kit Willow. To further amplify its impact, eBay Ventures will select one winner from the global selection of finalists to become “Circular Fashion Innovator of the Year” and receive an investment of $300,000.

Kirsty Keoghan, Global GM of Fashion at eBay, commented: “The Circular Fashion Fund is a catalyst for collaboration by combining the global scale and power of established companies like eBay with the creativity and innovation of nimble startups. We’re not only helping to scale circular solutions but also bringing together the most knowledgeable and respected experts in the industry. Together, we’re making a positive impact on the circular economy and truly reshaping the future of fashion.”

In the UK, supported by the British Fashion Council, the Fund is entering its third year. The winner will receive a £50,000 cash prize, whilst the two runner-ups will receive £25,000 each. All three finalists will receive bespoke mentoring sessions, educational workshops and networking opportunities.

The winners will be chosen by a judging panel of industry experts across fashion, academia, and sustainability. This panel includes:

• Caroline Rush, CEO, British Fashion Council
• Charlotte Mair, Founder and Managing Director of ‘The Fitting Room’
• Emily Chan, Senior Sustainability & Features Editor, British Vogue
• Henri Jaanimägi, Global Head of eBay Ventures, Inorganic & Strategic Partnerships
• Jane Shepherdson CBE, Chairperson, My Wardrobe HQ
• Jemma Tadd, eBay Head of UK Fashion
• Joe Metcalfe, FounderThrift+
• Kirsty Keoghan, eBay GM Global Fashion
• Patrick Mcdowell, Founder of Patrick Mcdowell; Luxury Fashion
• Viola Jardon, Programme Director, Innovation Programs, Cambridge University

Previous winners include Swoperz, which hosts a child-run swapping service for clothing, and Dempstah, a design practice that recycles Australian textile waste into spun yarn in collaboration with a network of international and local textile mills.

Caroline Rush, CEO, British Fashion Council, commented: “Building on the success of the past two years, we remain focused on boosting excellence and innovation in the British fashion community. Small businesses are integral to building an ecosystem that can create specialised solutions and we want to help them scale. The Circular Fashion Fund has been a game-changer and we are thrilled to support the new ideas and entrepreneurial spirit from this next cohort. Together, we’re making the fashion industry more sustainable, one step at a time.”

Vicky Fuller, co-founder of Swoperz and UK 2023 Circular Fashion Fund winner, commented: “Winning the Circular Fashion Fund has been transformative for Swoperz. It enabled us to partner with new organisations and helped us bring sustainable fashion education to classrooms nationwide and host swap shops at 500 schools. Our book, 'The Swoperz Fashion Show,' has been read 653 times, sparking vital conversations about conscious consumption so we can make sustainable fashion a reality for children. We're grateful to the CFF for amplifying our mission as we work towards a more sustainable fashion future."

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