58. RESPONSIBLE

Founders: Mark Dowds, Mitch Doust
Year founded: 2020
Website: getresponsible.com

The fashion industry ranks as the second most polluting sector globally, which is why it’s time to get RESPONSIBLE.

RESPONSIBLE is a streetwear resale marketplace that caters to the growing conscientious community of fashion enthusiasts who share a passion for eco-friendly living. Its mission? To extend the lifespan of clothing, reduce the carbon footprint of garments, and revolutionise the fashion resale market.

But what makes RESPONSIBLE different from the plethora of other secondhand clothing sites out there?

“By combining advanced AI and ML technologies with a sustainability-focused approach, its dedication to sell-through, rather than volume accumulation, promotes a more sustainable fashion ecosystem,” explain the founders. The RESPONSIBLE advanced automated trading platform makes managed resale 10 times more cost-efficient and five times faster for the broader mass market. Additionally, its partnerships with eco-conscious brands and charity initiatives underscore its commitment to making a positive social and environmental impact.

Equally impressive, since its inception in 2020, RESPONSIBLE has established strategic partnerships with influential players in the fashion and sustainable business sectors. These include brands like kuyichi, cote et ciel, and Raeburn, as well as investment partners like TechStart and Barclays Sustainable Capital. In fact, the streetwear startup completed the largest seed capital raise in Northern Ireland’s history, confirming Belfast as a hub for innovation and tech businesses.

Looking ahead, RESPONSIBLE plans to expand its global presence, attract a larger user base of sustainability-conscious consumers, diversify its product offerings, and make measurable reductions in fashion waste and carbon emissions.

At no. 58 on the Startups 100 index, RESPONSIBLE has earned its place by sewing the seeds of change in the resale industry with its fashion forward tech.