Skip to main content

Sustainable E-commerce Startup Cerqular ‘Version Two of Shopping’ Platform Gets Seeded

Cerqular's sustainable e-commerce platform contain thousands of goods, ranging from this Voyager Utensil Kit made from bamboo to Unspun jeans.
Cerqular’s sustainable e-commerce platform contains thousands of goods, ranging from this Voyager Utensil Kit made from bamboo to Unspun jeans. Cerqular

Cerqular, which just closed a $1 million pre-seed financing round, wants to build an e-commerce platform for “version two of shopping,” co-founder and CEO David Friedrichs told the Morning Brew newsletter.

A pre-seed round is a funding round that brings in a small initial investment (often under $1.5 million), doesn’t create Series A stock, and has no institutional investors. This is among the first rounds of funding a young company will receive, generally while the company is young and working to gain traction. Cerqular, in this case, has only been around since 2020 and received about $1 million for the funding round. 

Recommended Videos

This investment will go toward upgrading the company’s platform to support and expand the e-seller’s ecosystem of sustainable goods — apparel, beauty, grocery, and much more. It’s Cerqular’s mission to support firms selling products that come with clear “end-of-life solutions” (like upcycling, recycling, and resale options), carbon-neutral shipping, and other green aspects. After showing serious growth upon opening its U.S.-based website last year, Cerqular’s success shows that there’s demand for a digital place to sell green goods.

According to Ecotextile News, the funding round was led by Green Space Investments, a sustainability focused fund seeking to enable green tech that’s supported by several strategic angel investors. Cerqular fits Green Space’s profile as an environmentally conscious company with an executed plan that shows potential for massive expansion. Cerqular has grown to over 135 verified brands selling more than 50,000 products in just one year. 

Related Guides

This profusion of vendors goes toward Cerqular’s mission to make sustainable shopping more accessible and affordable. The company’s definition of ‘sustainable’ includes organic, vegan, and eco-friendly goods.

“We believe in sustainable products — to us, that means they’re things made without harm to animals, natural resources, or other people just like us — both now and tomorrow,” Cerqular states in its company description. “We’ve checked them all one by one and poured a lot of time and energy into making sure they care about the planet just as much as we do.”

Ecotextile News reports that Cerqular also partners with Sendle, an Australian courier providing carbon-neutral shipping service by connecting consumers with local sellers, thus further reducing the environmental impact of online shopping.

“We connect the dots at every touchpoint of a product’s lifecycle,” Cerqular CEO David Friedrichs told Morning Brew. “The power of change really lies in our spending dollars.”

In addition to devoting its new capital to upgrading its platform, Cerqular has already opened the next round of financing to continue catalyzing development plans and creating a more sustainable shopping experience.

“Our goal is to make sustainable shopping the norm – no longer will it have to be expensive or inconvenient.”

Read More: YY Nation — Stylish Shoes Looking to Stomp Their Environmental Impact

Matthew Denis
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Matt Denis is an on-the-go remote multimedia reporter, exploring arts, culture, and the existential in the Pacific Northwest…
Omega takes a trip to space with the Speedmaster Moonphase Meteorite
Omega goes back in time to 1969 with this new watch
Omega Speedmaster Moonphase Meteorite

Omega’s latest launch is a collection that paints a clear picture of what the moon looks like. The Speedmaster has a rich history dating back to 1969, when astronomers wore an Omega timepiece on an expedition to the moon.

This new release honors Omega’s trip to the moon with two different timepieces manufactured from elements found in outer space. It’s worth noting that these two timepieces are characterized by an outer-space aesthetic.

Read more
Oris celebrates 60 years of the Divers Sixty-Five with a retro reissue
The 60th anniversary edition timepiece looks like the first Divers watch from 1965
Oris Divers Sixty Five 60th Anniversary Edition

Since 2025 is the 60th anniversary of the Divers Sixty Five, the brand unveiled a reimagined model from the ‘60s to mark this major achievement.

As a watch with a rich history dating back to the ‘60s, the memory of the Divers Sixty Five still lives on to this day. The first model was rolled out in 1965 with a rather small casing (36mm), complemented by stick markers and unique numerals on the dial.

Read more
Danner goes full Pacific Northwest with Performance Heritage Collection
Explore the PNW with Danner's new collection
Danner Woodsman Jacket

The Pacific Northwest is one of the most picturesque areas in the United States, maybe the world. The wooded areas are home to countless animal species and the kind of wilderness you can get lost in, both in the good ways like camping, hiking, and forest bathing and in the bad ways where you could never be heard from again. That is why heading out into these woods and experiencing the beautiful dangers of the wilderness requires planning, gear, and, for Danner, the right apparel and footwear. That is why the company dropped the Danner Performance Heritage Collection, which prepares you to face everything the beautiful landscapes offer.

The 46-piece collection contains men's, women's, and unisex pieces ranging from outerwear to pants to hats, keeping you warm, dry, and enjoying every moment outdoors.
Deeply rooted in the PNW

Read more