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The Volte closes a $700K funding round

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// In more good news for the local tech scene this week, peer-to-peer fashion lending marketplace The Volte closed an oversubscribed $700K seed round from a consortium of angel investors...

In more good news for the local tech scene this week, peer-to-peer fashion lending marketplace The Volte closed an oversubscribed $700K seed round from a consortium of angel investors…

Founded in 2017 by four friends Kym Atkins, Bernadette Olivier, Genevieve Hohnen and Jade Hirniak, the ‘Airbnb of Fashion’ site The Volte has been making waves across the country ever since.

As Australia’s leading peer-to-peer (P2P) fashion lending marketplace, the business plans to capitalise on the continued rise of the sharing economy and increased global concern around sustainability in fashion.

The sharing economy in Australia is estimated to be worth over $15B. In 2018, 36% of Australians were using the sharing economy, which was forecast to grow another 22% in 2019 (YouGov, April 2018).

Mirroring this trend, The Volte saw a 400% growth in revenue in 2018, with the platform now boasting a retail value of over $10M, with more than 100,000 active users per month and over 15,000 listings.

Co-founder Kym Atkins said the funding had come at an ideal time:

“We recognised early on the potential the sharing economy held for the fashion industry and our rapid growth and proven business model show that demand is only increasing,” she said.

“We have seen a huge uptake in demand for peer-to-peer fashion lending as more and more Australians are seeing their wardrobes as an investment, capable of earning them income. Not only that, many of us are wising up to the negative impact that the fast fashion industry has on the environment.”

Kym Atkins

The latest investment will be used for technical platform upgrades to ensure a more seamless buying and selling experience, as well as for expansion of the team in both its Sydney and Perth locations.

The Volte closes a $700K funding round
Kym Atkins

“This investment will help set us up for this continued growth as we solidify our position.

“Partnering with the right investors is very important to us, as each investor brings a diverse range of skills, connections and strong mentorship to help us steer the company in the right direction.

“We are excited about what the future holds for The Volte and look forward to helping even more women earn a passive income from the glamorous dresses sitting untouched in their wardrobes.”

Kym Atkins

The platform has helped Australian women save and make hundreds or thousands of dollars by renting out their investment pieces from anywhere between $20 – $2,000 per hire.

But it’s not just individuals reaping the benefits. The Volte also provides an opportunity for smaller, local rental boutiques to join the growing platform.

The Volte closes a $700K funding round
Bernadette Olivier with her 2019 Startup News ‘Most Admired’ award

“We looked at the rental boutiques in Australia when we launched and realised only 5 per cent had an online presence.

By joining The Volte, we are able to give these rental boutiques a 24/7 national exposure, reaching an audience that they might not have the capabilities to otherwise, and therefore helping their bricks and mortar business survive and thrive, ” Kym added.

In December last year, co-founder and CEO of The Volte Bernadette Olivier won the inaugural Startup News ‘Most Admired Startup Person’, as voted by Startup News readers (see photo).

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Main Image: The Volte co-founders Genevieve Hohnen, Jade Hirniak, Bernadette Olivier & Kym Atkins. Photos Supplied.

Read more of the latest news from the startup ecosystem here

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Startup News has been the home of West Australian startup news and events since 2013. We publish several news stories, interviews, tips and events relating to WA startups every week, with over 1,900 articles in our archives. We also produce the 'Startup West' podcast, and host the 'Hubs (Ecosystem)' database of WA startup programs, places and events.
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