Vinted, a leading re-commerce business and secondhand marketplace startup, has launched its own venture capital (VC) arm, called Vinted Ventures. This new unit will focus on investing in re-commerce startups globally, tapping into the growing market for secondhand goods and related technologies.
Founded in 2008 in Vilnius, Lithuania, Vinted has steadily grown into one of Europe’s most prominent startups. The company now boasts more than 100 million registered users worldwide and reached €596.3 million in revenue last year, marking a 61% growth from the previous year. In 2024, Vinted reported profitability for the first time, a milestone that signals strong financial health and continued expansion in the global market.
As Lithuania’s first unicorn, Vinted has capitalized on the success of its secondhand marketplace, where users can buy and sell pre-loved items. Now, with the launch of Vinted Ventures, the company plans to leverage its newfound profitability by investing in the re-commerce space. This initiative is aimed at accelerating the growth of other secondhand marketplaces and businesses that support the re-commerce ecosystem.
“Vinted is proof that it’s possible to scale a tech business that is both impactful and financially solid,” says Thomas Plantenga, CEO of Vinted. He added, “The re-commerce space has enormous potential, hence we are excited to invest and grow startups that will ultimately benefit the wider market.”
Targeting Growth-Stage Startups and Innovation
Although Vinted has not disclosed the exact size of its investment fund, the company plans to make up to three investments per year. The focus will be on growth-stage companies, specifically those in Series A to C rounds, with funding ranging from €500k to €10m. Vinted Ventures aims to back companies that are working on accelerating the re-commerce market, investing in innovations that can reshape how consumers interact with secondhand goods.
According to Milda Jasaitė, Senior Director of Corporate Development at Vinted, the investments will target a variety of solutions that drive forward re-commerce. These could include shipping solutions, payments systems, and technological innovations that improve how consumers engage with secondhand products. “We want to back the companies that are accelerating re-commerce, and use the capital to help them tackle this market,” Jasaitė said.
Vinted Ventures will operate with a small but focused team of six employees, including four dedicated to sourcing deals and two working on portfolio development. The team will actively scout promising companies that align with Vinted’s mission of expanding the re-commerce market and making it more efficient for businesses and consumers alike.
Corporate Venture Capital in the Re-Commerce Space
While it’s common for Big Tech companies like Microsoft and Google to establish VC arms (such as M12 and GV, respectively), Vinted Ventures stands out due to its relatively recent profitability and the niche focus on the re-commerce market. Compared to tech giants with billions in revenue, Vinted has carved out a unique position by directing its investment efforts into accelerating the re-commerce space, which has grown in popularity since the Covid-19 pandemic and the rise in inflation-driven demand for affordable goods.
Companies like Stripe and Coinbase have similarly launched VC initiatives to support startups in their respective industries. Vinted Ventures, however, aims to set itself apart by specifically targeting businesses that drive innovation in the secondhand goods sector. This approach not only strengthens Vinted’s position in the market but also contributes to the growth of sustainable, eco-friendly consumption practices globally.
With Vinted Ventures now operational, Vinted is looking to build on its success and further solidify its status as a leader in the re-commerce industry. As the company looks to expand its footprint, investing in innovative startups will help shape the future of secondhand commerce, making it easier and more efficient for businesses and consumers to participate in the growing re-commerce market.
