Faircado secures $3 million in funding to encourage consumers to purchase second-hand items

Faircado, a Berlin-based startup, is revolutionizing the way people shop for pre-owned goods with its new browser extension. The company has raised €3 million in funding to become the go-to discovery layer for second-hand items, partnering with major sites like Amazon, Zalando, and Patagonia.

The extension uses a unique combination of image and text matching to suggest pre-owned alternatives when users search for products online. For example, if you’re looking for a new iPhone on Amazon, Faircado will show you pre-owned options from sites like eBay. Currently, the extension covers electronics, books, and apparel.

With support for 1,600 sites and recommendations from over 50 partners, Faircado is making sustainable shopping more accessible and convenient. The company is focusing on expanding in Germany first before launching in the U.K. later this year.

Co-founder Evoléna de Wilde d’Estmael came up with the idea for Faircado to make finding second-hand items easier and more appealing. The company’s goal is to guide consumers towards more sustainable shopping sources and eventually develop native mobile apps for pre-owned goods discovery.

Investors like World Fund see Faircado as a key player in promoting decarbonization through reduced consumption of new goods. The startup generates revenue from affiliate sales and clicks, with plans to concentrate on growth and expand its team.

Faircado faces competition from other players in the market, but its strategic positioning in Europe gives it a competitive edge for future growth. With a focus on sustainability and convenience, Faircado is poised to change the way people shop for pre-owned goods online.