CRESS, a pioneering pre-loved school uniform platform, has successfully raised £234,000 in a pre-seed funding round led by GC Angels, alongside One Planet Capital and a group of angel investors.
This investment will accelerate the Manchester-based company’s efforts to expand its user-friendly digital platform, which connects schools and parents to sustainable and affordable school uniforms. By enhancing its platform, CRESS aims to scale its impact, making school uniforms more accessible while tackling the environmental issues associated with clothing waste.
Each year, countless families in the UK discard perfectly good school uniforms, sending them to landfill instead of engaging in reuse or recycling initiatives. CRESS is addressing this issue by providing a seamless process for parents to donate pre-loved uniforms, which can then be purchased at a fraction of the cost. Through this model, families can save up to 70% on the price of new uniforms, while schools registered on the platform receive over 80% of the revenue from sales, helping them generate much-needed additional funding.
Since its launch, CRESS has built strategic partnerships with organisations such as Carma, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), and Awesome Books, further solidifying its reputation as a leader in sustainable schoolwear solutions. With the support of GMCA, CRESS has already reached over 1,200 schools across the 10 Greater Manchester councils, demonstrating the platform's potential for large-scale impact.
Carl Morris, co-founder of CRESS, emphasised the company’s mission:
“We are combining sustainability with affordability, enabling schools to sell pre-loved uniforms through an intuitive, customer-friendly platform. Our model not only helps parents save money but also supports schools with vital funding and significantly reduces waste and carbon emissions. We are incredibly grateful to GC Angels for their support—from their financial investment to introducing us to key partners like GMCA and Carma, they have been instrumental in propelling CRESS into its next stage of growth.”
Ranvir Singh, Investment Manager at GC Angels, shared his enthusiasm for the company’s potential:
“CRESS is an exceptional example of a business creating both social and environmental impact at scale. Their innovative model and strong partnerships with schools ensure they will reach thousands of families, delivering real value to local communities. We are proud to support their journey and look forward to seeing their continued success.”