ReFind
Find what works for you, swap what doesn’t.
Model
SaaS App
Industry
Retail
Stage
Idea
Location
Detroit, Michigan
VentureGrade℠
57
out of 100
ReFind is a clothing swapping platform where people earn credits to exchange unwanted clothing, reducing waste, refreshing wardrobes, and making fashion more circular and eco-friendly.
Elevator Pitch
The U.S. generates over 11 million tons of textile waste annually, much of it driven by fast fashion and overproduction. Fast fashion buyers often don’t get what they expected – lower quality, sizing issues – and, because the items are so low-cost and returns are a hassle, they end up tossing these brand new clothes in the trash, adding to the waste problem. I created a clothing swapping platform where people can earn credits to exchange their unwanted items for clothing from a wide array of retailers. Reducing waste, refreshing wardrobes, and contributing to a more sustainable future for fashion.
Founder(s)
Natalie Hicks
- 10+ yrs of apparel production
- MBA ’26, Wayne State Uni
Revenue Model
We make money through premium subscriptions, transaction fees on swaps, swap credit purchases, and a small markup on shipping. We partner with brands for affiliate marketing, use gamification for ad revenue, and provide anonymized data insights to help brands understand consumer behavior and trends in product returns and exchanges.
Startup Journey
As a fashion professional, I’ve seen the challenges fast fashion creates for consumers. I’ve personally wasted money buying cheap items for vacations or special occasions, only to find they don’t fit or meet my quality expectations, leaving them new and unworn. With thrift stores rejecting fast fashion brands and poor-quality textiles making upcycling impractical, the waste problem only grows.
Refind was created to address this. Currently in the ideation and discovery phase, the concept has been validated on a small scale. The next steps include a 100-user discovery process, building a 1,000-signup email list, and identifying 100 early adopters.
By January 2025, I plan to launch a Wizard of Oz MVP to test the platform, attract users, and build partnerships. Funding will help finalize the beta, validate the market, and establish Refind in the tech ecosystem. This will refine the solution and create a scalable platform that reduces waste.
Go-To-Market Plan
Our go-to-market plan focuses on social media campaigns, influencer partnerships, and referral programs to build awareness and drive signups. We’ll use targeted ads, early adopter incentives, and a 100-user discovery process to validate features and scale. The platform will operate exclusively online, maximizing accessibility and engagement.
Potential Exit
Potential exits include acquisition by major e-commerce platforms like Amazon or resale platforms like ThredUp, Poshmark, or Depop. Likely acquirers are companies focused on circular fashion, sustainable commerce, or fast fashion retailers looking to integrate an exchange model to address waste and improve consumer satisfaction.
VentureGrade℠
Pitch Deck
Pitch Video
