Tingit: The New Marketplace for Clothing Repairs and Restoration
Lithuanian startup Tingit is revolutionizing the way people restore their used clothing through its repairs marketplace. The platform allows users to upload a video of their distressed items and receive a quote for repair or restoration. With a seamless payment system and the option to mail the items to the chosen repair shop, Tingit eliminates the hassle of finding specialized restorers and dealing with inconvenient schedules.
While currently only available in Lithuania, Tingit has raised €500,000 in pre-seed funding to expand into other European markets. The startup aims to follow in the footsteps of Lithuania’s fashion reuse marketplace giant, Vinted, and become a global player in the repairs industry. Indrė Viltrakytė, CEO and co-founder of Tingit, hopes to find synergies with other companies working on sustainability.
Viltrakytė’s inspiration for Tingit came from her frustration with the fashion industry’s sustainability and overconsumption issues. As a problem solver, she saw the need for a better way to handle repairs and decided to create a platform that connects owners of damaged fashion items with businesses that can repair them.
Currently, Tingit focuses on fashion repairs, including specialized restoration work and dry cleaning. However, Viltrakytė believes there is potential for expansion into repairs for sports goods, toys, and consumer electronics. European Union regulations promoting the right to repair and a circular economy provide a favorable environment for Tingit’s growth.
Since its launch, Tingit has facilitated over 650 completed repairs and received more than 2,500 repair requests. Shoe repairs make up 70% of the platform’s orders, with its typical customer being a busy working parent seeking efficient solutions.
To increase awareness about restoration services, Viltrakytė plans to introduce the concept of seasonal maintenance. By properly looking after their items, customers can extend their lifespan. Viltrakytė envisions repairs becoming a habit, comparing it to brushing teeth.
Tingit offers a range of prices for repairs and restoration services, starting at €9 for footwear treatments and going up to €139+ for premium handbag restoration. The startup has already received high-end items, such as a €10,000 Hermes handbag, for repair, highlighting the potential intersection between a repair marketplace and the vintage clothing and second-hand market trends.
Looking ahead, Tingit plans to explore opportunities in the business-to-business-to-consumer (B2B2C) space. It aims to become the official representatives for brands and integrate with retailers and other marketplaces. Additionally, Tingit plans to leverage technology, such as AI, to automate damage analysis and quote generation, making the process even more convenient for users.
With its recent funding round led by Firstpick and participation from other VC funds across the Baltics and Europe, Tingit is well-positioned to educate consumers and help them create sustainable habits. As the platform continues to grow, it has the potential to transform the way people think about repairs and contribute to a more sustainable fashion industry.