Loading organizations...
§ Private Profile · London, United Kingdom
Online marketplace connecting buyers and sellers of rare, exclusive, authentic sneakers and luxury goods, offering authentication and secure.
Laced operates an online marketplace for rare, exclusive, and authentic sneakers and luxury goods, connecting buyers and sellers from its base in London, England. The platform facilitates secure and transparent transactions through comprehensive authentication services, same-day order processing, seven-day-a-week deliveries, and same-day payouts, having surpassed $100 million in gross merchandise value. Laced has raised between $13 million and $17 million in total funding, including a $12 million Series A round in 2023 led by investors Talis Capital and H&M Group Ventures. The company primarily focuses on the fashion and retail sector, serving a global community of sneaker aficionados and collectors. It was founded in 2018 by Chris Gibbons. Its business model centers on commission-based marketplace acting as a middleman between buyers and sellers, with fees from transactions.
Laced has raised $12.0M across 1 funding round.
Laced has raised $12.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Laced has raised $12.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Laced's investors include Talis Capital, Astanor Ventures, Benchmark, Founders Fund, Long Journey Ventures, Mayfield, Signia Venture Partners, SOSV, Tiger Global Management, TQ Ventures, Aleksander Leonard Larsen, Bart Swanson.
Laced has raised $12.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $12.0M Series A in May 2023.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2023 | $12M Series A | Talis Capital | Astanor Ventures, Benchmark, Founders Fund, Long Journey Ventures, Mayfield, Signia Venture Partners, SOSV, Tiger Global Management, TQ Ventures, Aleksander Leonard Larsen, Bart Swanson, Cato Sælid, Eugene WEI, Julius Genachowski, Kevin LIN, XEN Lategan, Eric Archambeau, B&Y Venture Partners, Nanna Andersen, TrueSight Ventures | Announced |
Laced is a London-based technology company operating an online marketplace for trading authentic luxury sneakers in the fashion and retail sector.[2][3] It enables buying and selling of popular and limited-edition sneakers, serving enthusiasts, collectors, and sneaker aficionados who seek verified high-end styles.[2] The platform solves authentication and trust issues in premium sneaker trading, with growth evidenced by $13M total funding, including a $12M Series A round two years ago, positioning it at Series A stage.[2][3]
Distinct from LACED Agency—a separate U.S.-based digital marketing firm founded in 2003 focusing on lead generation and branding—this Laced targets the booming sneaker resale market.[1][2]
Laced was founded in 2018 in London, England, capitalizing on the rising demand for authenticated luxury sneakers amid hype culture.[2][3] Headquartered at 7 Bell Yard, London, the company emerged during a surge in streetwear and collectible fashion, addressing gaps in secure trading platforms for limited-edition releases.[2] Early traction came from its niche focus on premium sneakers, leading to rapid funding: $12M raised in one round from investors, reflecting strong initial market validation in a competitive space with rivals like SODA and The Mainstreet Marketplace.[2][3]
Laced rides the sneaker resale and hype culture trend, fueled by streetwear's fusion with luxury fashion, where limited drops drive secondary markets worth billions.[2] Timing aligns with post-2018 e-commerce booms in collectibles, amplified by social media and mobile trading; market forces like authentication tech demands and Gen Z collector spending favor it.[2][3] It influences the ecosystem by normalizing verified resale, boosting retail innovation, and drawing VC interest in consumer tech niches like fashion marketplaces.[2][4]
Laced is poised for expansion in the maturing sneaker economy, potentially scaling via international growth, app enhancements (e.g., deep linking tech), or adjacent categories like streetwear.[2][5] Trends like AI authentication, Web3 collectibles, and sustainable fashion will shape it, with retail momentum suggesting acquisition potential or further rounds.[2][4] As a funded player in authentic luxury trading, Laced could redefine enthusiast marketplaces, building on its 2018 launch to lead Europe's sneaker tech wave.[2][3]