Archive Raises $30M To Boost Resale Tech And Expansion

California-based circular tech startup Archive has raised $30 million in a Series B funding round to enhance its platform, which helps brands develop and manage resale programs. The company, founded in 2021 with a mission to reduce the environmental impact of retail by keeping products in use longer, aims to use the proceeds to further develop its resale intelligence software, expand globally, and invest in new product innovations.

Led by Energize with returning investors Lightspeed Venture Partners, Bain Capital Ventures, G9 Ventures and Capital F, Archive secured the funding round. New to the round were investors Woodline Partners LP and Frontline Growth, making the total funding raised for the company to date $54 million. With this investment, Eileen Waris, Principal at Energize Capital, is joining the company's board of directors.

According to Waris, the growing preference of consumers for sustainable retail options is what made Archive successful. "We have been closely tracking trends in resale markets and the circular economy for years. Over the past decade, the retail industry has undergone massive, enduring changes driven by generational shifts in consumer preferences towards more sustainable options.". Archive's software cashes in on this trend and allows brands to take a larger share of the resale pie, all while working towards profitability and sustainability, she said.

The platform through which Archive's platform enables brands to recover their supply from different channels such as returns, past seasons, consumer listings, and in-store trade-ins. Offering a holistic set of circular models, such as peer-to-peer, trade-in, and returns management, Archive helps brands align resale programs to their requirements. The company has also connected its platform with logistics providers worldwide for the facilitation of the resale process.

The company claims that its software enables brands to sell secondhand items at higher margins than full-price products, creating a profitable opportunity for brands while promoting sustainability. Archive currently collaborates with over 50 brands worldwide, including notable names such as The North Face, Oscar de la Renta, New Balance, and Dr. Martens.

Archive Co-founder and CEO Emily Gittins said, "Resale has proven wildly popular with consumers and a significant and profitable growth opportunity for brands, allowing them to drive sales, customer loyalty, and sustainability at the same time. We're extremely pleased to partner with this prestigious group of investors as we help brands launch and scale resale channels that strengthen their business," she said.

As consumer demand for resale shopping options increases around the globe, new funding arrives at an appropriate moment. According to a study from GlobalData, the secondhand apparel market was valued at $230 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach nearly $350 billion by the end of 2028. Industry reports note that currently, 40% of Gen Z's purchases of apparel are secondhand; it is believed this customer base will maintain the upward push in growth of the fashion resale space.

Archive's approach aligns with the transformation happening in the retail sector, as sustainability and circular economy models become more critical. The company is enabling brands to build profitable resale programs, an industry trend that's moving toward a more environmentally friendly and consumer-centric practice.

As Archive continues to expand its reach and develop new technologies, the company remains committed to helping retail brands achieve their sustainability and growth goals through effective resale strategies. With the support of its investors and partners, Archive is well-positioned to lead the charge in reshaping the retail landscape and promoting a more circular economy.