Vinted, Europe’s most prominent second-hand marketplace, is stepping into venture capital with a bold move that could redefine the future of the recommerce landscape. The company has unveiled Vinted Ventures, a dedicated investment arm designed to fuel startups building the next generation of circular economy solutions. Backed by a €5 billion valuation, this launch doesn’t just mark an expansion—it signals Vinted’s intent to lead beyond its platform.
Why Vinted Ventures Matters Right Now
Launched on April 29, 2025, Vinted Ventures enters the European VC scene with something most funds don’t have: deep operator experience. Vinted isn’t just writing checks—it’s bringing over 15 years of firsthand insight into how to scale a second-hand marketplace across 22 countries. This new arm isn’t looking to dabble. It aims to become a cornerstone investor in the recommerce startup ecosystem, blending capital with proven know-how.
With ambitions stretching across Europe and the UK, the fund is launching into a growing market. The UK alone boasts a resale sector worth over £7 billion, powered by brands like Depop and By Rotation. For British founders building in the circular economy, Vinted Ventures presents a rare opportunity to partner with an operator that’s already succeeded at scale.
The fund is born from strength. Vinted’s valuation has jumped from €3.5 billion in 2021 to €5 billion at the end of 2024. That momentum gives Vinted Ventures real financial firepower—and more importantly, the freedom to invest based on conviction, not pressure.
Backing Startups That Power the Recommerce Value Chain
Unlike generalist funds, Vinted Ventures has a clear focus: startups driving recommerce innovation. That means companies tackling logistics challenges, modernizing payment infrastructure, building digital tools for offline retailers, and transforming consumer experiences. It’s a sector-wide play designed to unlock new growth across the entire second-hand ecosystem.
One major area of interest? Helping traditional second-hand shops go digital. Today, 93% of European thrift stores still don’t sell online. Vinted Ventures wants to close that gap and usher in a more connected, scalable second-hand economy.
The fund is targeting Series A to Series C companies—startups that have already found product-market fit but need help to scale. Investment sizes range from €500K to €10 million, giving founders the flexibility to raise what they need while gaining access to Vinted’s operational muscle.
Beyond Capital: Strategic Support From a Proven Leader
What sets Vinted Ventures apart isn’t just its check size—it’s the support system that comes with it. Portfolio companies will get access to advisors and operators who’ve built one of Europe’s most successful marketplaces. That includes growth strategies, regulatory know-how, and real-world insights from Vinted’s journey scaling across borders.
The fund describes itself as “by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs.” That’s more than branding. Milda Jasaitė, Vinted’s Senior Director of Corporate Development, says they’re looking for founders who are solving meaningful problems and pushing boundaries in how people buy, sell, and value the things they own.
Vinted’s own track record backs that up. Since launching in Lithuania in 2008, it has grown to serve users in 22 countries, turned a profit of €18 million in 2023, and proven that tech and sustainability can scale hand in hand. That journey is now becoming a blueprint for the startups it backs.
Financial Strength That Fuels Patience and Selectivity
Vinted Ventures isn’t just another VC firm scrambling to raise from LPs. It’s funded from a position of financial strength. In 2023 alone, Vinted’s revenue shot up 61% to €596 million. Its gross merchandise value has tripled since its last funding round in 2021, and its EBITDA margins remain solid.
The fund’s capital base was recently reinforced by a €340 million secondary share sale led by TPG, with new investors like Hedosophia, Baillie Gifford, and FJ Labs joining the table. These partners understand Vinted’s vision—and are now indirectly backing the startups that Vinted Ventures will support.
This gives the fund freedom to take a high-conviction, low-volume approach. Instead of chasing dozens of deals, it will invest selectively in startups that align with Vinted’s long-term view of a re-commerce-first world.
Tapping Into Sustainability Momentum
Vinted Ventures is launching at a time when sustainability is no longer a niche—it’s a consumer expectation. According to Vinted, 37% of its users say half or more of their wardrobe now comes from second-hand sources. This behavior shift opens up huge market potential for founders building with purpose.
TPG’s Andy Doyle captures the moment: consumers are now embracing second-hand as a core shopping behavior—not just a budget option. This shift is being driven by a desire for both sustainability and flexibility, which are fast becoming the new norms.
Vinted is already responding to that demand by expanding beyond fashion. Its newer services include electronics resale and authentication for designer items—key steps toward making second-hand goods safer, broader, and more trusted. Expect Vinted Ventures to look at startups helping unlock these next chapters of recommerce.
What It Means for Founders and the Future of Recommerce
Vinted Ventures is more than just a new fund. It’s a strategic leap by one of Europe’s most impactful digital marketplaces—one that knows how to scale across borders and shift consumer mindsets. For founders building in recommerce, this means access to capital, strategic support, and a partner that understands the market from the inside out.
As Europe’s circular economy grows, and as consumer habits continue to shift toward sustainability, Vinted Ventures could play a key role in deciding which startups rise to the top. Its backing signals more than belief—it shows that the second-hand revolution has room to grow, and that growth will be backed by operators who’ve already been there.
