“Tingit Launches Marketplace for Effortless Fashion Repairs”
Image Credits: Tingit
Do you have a favorite jacket with a torn sleeve or a pair of scuffed sneakers collecting dust in your closet? Tingit, a Lithuanian startup, aims to help you breathe new life into your worn-out clothing with its newly launched repair marketplace.
The platform allows users to quickly upload a video of damaged items via their phone to receive a repair or restoration quote. If the quote meets your expectations, you can pay directly through Tingit’s app and send your items to the selected repair shop. Then, it’s just a matter of waiting a few days or weeks—no need to hunt down specialists or deal with inconvenient shop hours. Tingit takes care of everything.
For now, Tingit’s services are only available in Lithuania, where the Vilnius-based startup launched in February. However, the company recently secured a €500,000 pre-seed funding round to expand its operations. CEO and co-founder Indrė Viltrakytė says the startup plans to enter other European markets, likely next year, when they seek further investment.
Lithuania is already home to fashion resale giant Vinted, so the country has a track record in this space. Tingit is following a similar marketplace model, connecting owners of damaged clothing and accessories with businesses that can restore them.
“I grew up around the founders of Vinted, and watching their journey from a small local venture to a global marketplace was incredibly inspiring,” Viltrakytė told TechCrunch. “I hope we can achieve something similar with repairs and collaborate with other companies focused on sustainability.”
Viltrakytė conceived Tingit after years in the fashion industry, frustrated by issues of sustainability and overconsumption. She’s no stranger to tech entrepreneurship, having previously worked with Vinted co-founder Justas Janauskas on a social media startup for teenagers. Her experience also extends to digital fashion and crypto/web3 ventures.
Yet, creating a platform for physical repairs presents a unique challenge.
“I’m a problem solver by nature. When I see something broken, I want to fix it,” she said. “I’ve tried to repair many items myself, and it’s always a headache. For example, it took me six weeks to arrange a repair for my Dyson hair dryer. I thought, in 2023, there has to be a better way. But when I looked around, there wasn’t. So I decided to explore what it could look like.”
Tingit currently offers repair and restoration services for clothing, shoes, and accessories, including specialized tasks like sneaker and handbag restoration, along with more traditional services like dry cleaning.
The initial focus on fashion stems from the co-founders’ industry experience, but Viltrakytė sees potential to expand into areas like sports equipment, toys, and electronics, as long as there’s demand and capable service providers.
European Union regulations are also driving change, with new rules on the right to repair and digital product passports aimed at fostering a circular economy to meet the EU’s 2050 climate goals.
The economic climate might also favor repairs. Viltrakytė notes one investor’s prediction of an upcoming recession, which could make repairs more appealing as people look to make their belongings last longer.
So far, Tingit has completed over 650 repairs and received more than 2,500 repair requests. It partners with three local businesses: one for clothing repairs, one for shoes and bags, and one for dry cleaning.
Tingit also plans to expand into upcycling, modding, and recycling services. However, precise tailoring adjustments aren’t a fit for the platform’s remote service model, as accurate measurements are best done in person.
Currently, shoe repairs account for 70% of orders, with the typical customer being a busy working mom seeking efficient solutions.
Viltrakytė is surprised more men, particularly sneaker enthusiasts, aren’t using the platform, possibly due to a lack of awareness about available restoration services.
She’s keen to promote the idea of “seasonal maintenance,” suggesting that regular care could significantly extend the life of shoes and other items, turning repairs into a habitual practice, like brushing your teeth.
Repair costs vary based on the job, starting at €9 for protective footwear treatments, €25+ for clothing zipper replacements, and up to €139+ for premium handbag restorations.
Some high-end items, like a €10,000 Hermès handbag, have already been sent for repair. With the growing popularity of vintage clothing and resale platforms, a repair marketplace could play a key role in this broader trend.
Tingit often receives inquiries about repairing items people find on second-hand platforms like Vinted. Viltrakytė believes the company can help increase the value of used fashion by demonstrating what’s possible in terms of restoration.
Tingit is currently a B2C marketplace, but Viltrakytė sees opportunities to expand into B2B2C, potentially partnering with brands or integrating with other marketplaces like Vinted or Vestiaire Collective.
The startup is also exploring ways to enhance its technology, aiming to automate damage analysis and quote generation using AI, making the repair process even more seamless for users. Additionally, AI could help value apparel for resale and track product lifecycles, offering valuable insights for the circular economy.
Tingit’s €500,000 pre-seed funding round was led by Firstpick, a Lithuanian VC fund and accelerator, with participation from BADideas.fund (Latvia), PurposeTech (Czech Republic), and Heartfelt Capital (Germany).
Jonė Vaitulevičiūtė, managing partner at Firstpick, commented, “There’s still a gap in using technology to enhance sustainability. We’re excited to see how Tingit will educate consumers and help them adopt sustainable habits.”