Here at Startup Savant, we love startup culture. That’s why we identified the most exciting, innovative, and creative sustainable clothing startups to watch in 2024 and beyond. From artificial intelligence (AI)-powered sizing and garment selection apps to water-free textile processing, these are the hottest sustainable fashion companies to follow.
Top Sustainable Clothing Startups to Follow
Every year, new startups pull to the forefront of their industry through exciting innovation, tech, and industry-disrupting business models. We’ve rounded up the most exciting sustainable clothing startups of 2024 that startup-lovers, investors, and aspiring entrepreneurs should follow.
Disclaimer: With so many exciting sustainable clothing brands launching and growing worldwide, we aren’t able to cover them all. Furthermore, the startups that are listed below aren’t officially ranked and are listed in no particular order.
1. Ambercycle
- Location: Los Angeles, California
- Founder(s): Moby Ahmed, Shay Sethi
- Founded In: 2013
- Funding: Debt Financing, $44.2 Million
- Investors Include: Shinkong Synthetic Fibers, DRIVE Catalyst, H&M Group
Ambercycle focuses on textile recycling and sustainable fashion. The company has developed an innovative technology to break down post-consumer textile waste and transform it into new, high-quality fibers that can be used to create new garments. Ambercycle’s process aims to reduce the environmental impact of the fashion industry by creating a closed-loop system for textile production. Ambercycle’s mission is to make circular fashion a reality and help brands transition toward more sustainable practices.
2. Christy Dawn
- Location: Los Angeles, California
- Founder(s): Aras Baskauskas, Christy Dawn
- Founded In: 2014
- Funding: Private Equity, Undisclosed Amount
- Investors Include: KarpReilly
Fashion brand Christy Dawn embodies the ethos of sustainable and ethical clothing production. The company is renowned for its vintage-inspired dresses crafted from deadstock fabrics — surplus materials that would otherwise go to waste. In recent years, the company expanded its commitment to regenerative agriculture through a Farm-to-Closet initiative, partnering with farmers in India to grow organic cotton using practices that restore soil health. This holistic approach to fashion not only minimizes waste, but also aims to heal the earth and support farming communities.
3. Pact
- Location: Boulder, Colorado
- Founder(s): Brendan Synnott, Jeff Denby
- Founded In: 2009
- Funding: Series Unknown, $32.2 Million
- Investors Include: Sunrise Strategic Partners, Revelry Brands
Pact is an apparel company that puts sustainability and ethical production at the forefront of its business model. This clothing brand specializes in creating everyday essentials like underwear, T-shirts, and loungewear using organic cotton and environmentally friendly production methods. The company is committed to fair trade practices, ensuring safe working conditions and fair wages for workers throughout its supply chain. Pact’s mission extends beyond just clothing, as they strive to educate consumers about the importance of conscious consumption and the impact of their purchasing decisions on both people and the planet.
4. Supercircle
- Location: New York, New York
- Founder(s): Chloe Songer, Phong Nguyen, Stuart Ahlum
- Founded In: 2018
- Funding: Series A, $11.2 Million
- Investors Include: Radicle Impact, Blueprint Ventures, Earthshot Ventures
Supercircle tackles textile waste in the fashion industry with a digital platform that connects various stakeholders in the clothing lifecycle — brands, recyclers, and sorters — to facilitate efficient and scalable textile recycling. Supercircle’s technology enables the tracing and sorting of textiles, making it easier to recycle or upcycle used garments into new products. By streamlining the recycling process and providing valuable data insights, Supercircle aims to accelerate the transition toward a truly circular fashion economy.
5. Quince
- Location: San Francisco, California
- Founder(s): Sid Gupta, Zunu Mittal, Sourabh Mahajan, Becky Mortimer
- Founded In: 2018
- Funding: Series B, $142 Million
- Investors Include: Wellington Management, Insight Partners, Basis Set Ventures
Quince is a direct-to-consumer retail startup that’s disrupting traditional retail models with its innovative approach to manufacturing and distribution. The company operates on a “factory-to-consumer” model, cutting out middlemen to offer high-quality clothing, accessories, and home goods at significantly lower prices than traditional retailers. Quince’s unique just-in-time production system allows the brand to produce items only after they’re ordered to reduce waste and inventory costs. This startup’s goal is to provide consumers with ethically-made, premium products without the luxury markup.
6. Outerknown
- Location: Culver City, California
- Founder(s): John Moore, Kelly Slater
- Founded In: 2015
- Funding: Undisclosed
Outerknown is a sustainable clothing brand cofounded by professional surfer Kelly Slater and designer John Moore. The company is built on the principle of creating great clothes with a radical commitment to sustainability. Outerknown is known for its use of eco-friendly materials like organic cotton, recycled polyester, and Econyl® regenerated nylon as well as its focus on fair labor practices and transparency in its supply chain. With a blend of surf-inspired casual wear and more refined pieces, Outerknown aims to prove that style and sustainability can go hand in hand.
7. Veja
- Location: Paris, France
- Founder(s): François-Ghislain Morillion, Sébastien Kopp
- Founded In: 2005
- Funding: Self-Funded
Footwear and accessories brand Veja gained prominence for its innovative approach to sustainable and ethical fashion. The company is known for its minimalist sneaker designs that prioritize fair trade practices and ecological materials. Veja sources organic cotton from Brazilian farmers, wild Amazonian rubber for its soles, and various recycled materials for other components. The brand stands out for its transparency about its production costs and markup, challenging traditional luxury pricing models. Veja’s commitment to social responsibility and environmental consciousness has made it a leader in the sustainable fashion movement.
8. TALA
- Location: London, England
- Founder(s): Grace Beverley
- Founded In: 2019
- Funding: Series A, $12 Million
- Investors Include: Active Partners, Venrex, Pembroke Venture Capital Trust
TALA is an activewear and lifestyle brand founded by fitness influencer Grace Beverley. The company focuses on creating sustainable, affordable, and size-inclusive clothing for workout enthusiasts as well as everyday wear. TALA distinguishes itself by using innovative, eco-friendly materials like recycled plastic bottles and factory offcuts to produce its garments. With a strong emphasis on transparency and ethical production, TALA aims to prove that sustainability doesn’t have to come at a premium price point. The brand has quickly gained popularity among younger consumers for its trendy designs and commitment to reducing fashion’s environmental impact.
9. Organic Basics
- Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
- Founder(s): Alexander Christiansen, Christoffer Immanuel, Mads Fibiger Rasmussen, Mads Haugsted Rasmussen, Adrian Fey, Martin Andersen
- Founded In: 2015
- Funding: Late Stage, $3.41 Million
- Investors Include: Dreamcraft Ventures, Nordic Eye Venture Capital, Eutopia
Organic Basics is a sustainable underwear and essentials brand dedicated to creating high-quality, long-lasting basics with minimal environmental impact. Organic Basics focuses on using eco-friendly materials like organic cotton, recycled nylon, and innovative fabrics (e.g., SilverTech™ for odor control). Beyond materials, the brand emphasizes ethical production by working with certified factory partners and ensuring fair labor practices. Organic Basics also stands out for its commitment to transparency, providing detailed information about its supply chain and impact, and for initiatives like its “Low Impact Website” designed to reduce its digital carbon footprint.
10. Girlfriend Collective
- Location: Seattle, Washington
- Founder(s): Quang Dinh, Ellie Dinh
- Founded In: 2016
- Funding: Self-Funded
Activewear brand Girlfriend Collective gained a devoted following for its eco-friendly practices and inclusive approach to sizing. The company is known for creating high-quality leggings, sports bras, and other athletic wear from recycled materials — primarily post-consumer water bottles. Girlfriend Collective stands out for its commitment to ethical manufacturing, working with SA8000-certified factories in Vietnam, and offering transparency about its production processes. The brand has also made waves with its body-positive marketing, featuring diverse models and offering an extensive size range from XXS to 6XL.