London's Fleek Raises $25M From eBay, Burda to Digitize Secondhand Fashion Supply Chains

The Problem Fleek Targets

Fleek describes the secondhand clothing sector as large but under-served by modern technology. Ventureburn reports the industry is worth roughly $242 billion and says its back-end operations still depend on slow, paper-based and manual processes. EU-Startups cites Fleek referencing a market valued at more than €175.3 billion (over $200 billion), and notes demand for secondhand fashion is growing three times faster than that for conventional apparel. The two figures differ in how the market is measured, so readers should treat them as separate estimates.

The startup operates a business-to-business marketplace paired with AI systems intended to digitize the supply chains that move vintage and used clothing across borders. Rather than launching another consumer resale app, Fleek is focused on the wholesale infrastructure that underpins the sector.

Why It Signals a Shift

Ventureburn frames the round as evidence that investor attention is moving toward the infrastructure layer of resale rather than consumer-facing thrift applications. Burda's earlier involvement with Vinted — a company EU-Startups and Ventureburn note grew into a multibillion-euro business — is presented as relevant experience in scaling resale platforms.

EU-Startups reported that Arora said most people have little idea what happens to clothing after they part with it, describing a system he characterised as broken while the underlying market expands. Fleek says the new capital will support the rollout of its AI-powered marketplace.