Member Article

London entrepreneur launches winter jacket company, SQI

The hybrid sportswear-fashion brand creates multi-functional jackets made from recycled plastic bottles

A London-based entrepreneur has launched SQI, (pronounced ski), a brand new e-commerce clothing startup. The company, which champions multi-use, diverse, and sustainable winter jackets, aims to break into the fashion, sportswear, and skiwear industries, bridging the fashion gap between the mountains and city life.

SQI has so far raised £170,000 from a total of 29 investors and is aiming to secure further investment in 2022. With the beginnings of SQI imagined and built during the Covid-19 pandemic, it has successfully secured funding, built a brand, made hires, developed products and launched to market all through the medium of video meetings.

SQI hopes to make further hires over the next few months to bolster the brand and bring in expertise from across the industry. With previous startup experience in the marketing and property industry, CEO and Founder, Freddy Hoare, is well placed to see SQI flourish.

“We’re so excited to be officially launching SQI and proud that this is the result of incredible hard work throughout the pandemic”, said Freddy Hoare. “We’re here to challenge fast fashion, and truly believe in the need for just one high quality, and thoughtfully designed winter jacket which is priced affordably and super stylish. The most sustainable product is the one that’s worn 100 times”.

Marco Nardini, Founder of Shaptor Capital, and an investor of SQI also said: “We’re really excited by the prospects of SQI, which is why we absolutely had to invest. It’s a young, conscious, and current fashion brand that is well placed to make a big mark on both the fashion and ski industries with its innovative vision”.

SQI’s sustainability credentials include the use of non-toxic dyes, recycled polyester insulation, and a waterproof outerwear fabric made from second-hand plastic bottles. It is applying for further funding in 2022 to help SQI become a global challenger to the big winter wear players.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by SQI .