Vinted, the secondhand marketplace startup founded in 2008 in Vilnius, has launched Vinted Ventures, its in-house venture capital arm aimed at investing in re-commerce businesses worldwide.

With over 100 million registered users, Vinted reported its first profitable year in 2024, achieving revenues of €596.3 million, which represents a remarkable 61% increase from the previous year.

This move into venture capital is particularly noteworthy given Vinted's recent profitability and its smaller scale compared to major tech companies like Microsoft and Google, which have substantial VC arms.

Vinted Ventures plans to target growth-stage companies, specifically those in Series A to C funding rounds, with investments ranging from €500,000 to €10 million.

The re-commerce sector has seen a surge in popularity, particularly due to the Covid-19 pandemic and rising inflation, creating a favorable environment for Vinted's investment strategy.

Milda Jasaitė, the senior director of corporate development, highlighted that Vinted Ventures will focus on innovative solutions related to shipping, payments, and technology within the secondhand market.

The venture capital initiative will operate with a dedicated team of six staff members, including four focused on deal sourcing and two on portfolio development, indicating a structured approach to their investments.

CEO Thomas Plantenga emphasized the significant potential of the re-commerce market and expressed a strong commitment to supporting startups that enhance this sector.