eBay Australia, in partnership with the Australian Fashion Council (AFC), has awarded three emerging businesses in the circular fashion space a total prize pool of $200,000, as part of the eBay’s 2025 Circular Fashion Fund.
Software start-up Shopfront was awarded the top prize of $100,000 in funding, with Hatch + make and Hello Tailr each receiving $50,000 each, all to further their circular business solutions.
It follows the initial launch of eBay Australia’s Circular Fashion Fund last year, when it then awarded three other businesses a total prize pool of $200,000.
The top winner, Shopfront, is a software tool in which individuals and businesses can streamline listings across multiple marketplaces.
HATCH + make creates sustainable knitwear through low-waste design, eco-friendly production, and a focus on natural fibres.
Meanwhile, Hello Tailr is an online clothing tailor and alteration platform offering door-to-door pickup, mail-in and drop-off services at over 7,500 locations nationwide.
In addition to the funding received, the three recipients will receive bespoke mentoring sessions, educational workshops and networking opportunities.
Moreover, Shopfront's victory will earn them a place in eBay's global competition. They will join winners from the UK, US and Germany to pitch their ideas to eBay's venture capital arm, eBay Ventures, for the chance to be named 'Circular Fashion Innovator of the Year' and receive a potential $300,000 USD additional investment.
“Circularity is no longer an aspiration – it’s a necessity for fashion’s future,” eBay Australia’s fashion lead Anne-Marie Cheney said. “At eBay, we’re proud to support businesses reimagining every stage of the fashion life cycle, from design to resale and repair.
“Following the success of our 2024 winners, we’re excited to see how this year’s businesses use the mentoring, networking opportunities, workshops and funding to drive change. Our 2025 winners prove that a more circular future isn’t just an idea—it’s already in motion.”
Shopfront co-founder and CEO Nate Spiteri said he and his team are honoured to receive the funding.
“At Shopfront, our mission is to make fashion resale seamless, scalable, and sustainable. This funding will help us enhance our AI-powered tool, streamlining the resale process across multiple marketplaces and making it easier for sellers to extend the life cycle of garments.
“We look forward to collaborating with industry leaders and mentors to accelerate sustainable solutions for the future of fashion.”
AFC CEO Jaana Quaintance-James said the finalists for the 2025 Circular Fashion Fund highlight the need to transform Australia’s fashion ecosystem.
“Innovative businesses like HATCH + make, Shopfront, and Hello Tailr are critical for driving forward practical solutions that extend product lifecycles, minimise waste, and build resilient supply chains,” she said. “With continued collaboration between government, industry leaders like eBay, and our pioneering winners, we can accelerate Australia’s transition to a lower impact future.”
Participants were evaluated based on three criteria: innovation, circularity and business viability/scalability.
Selected businesses showcased new or improved products or processes and offered creative strategies to address circularity in fashion.
They also demonstrated scalability and a track record of success, indicating their ability to effectively utilise the funding.
eBay Australia, along with the global markets, will run the Fund with the goal of forming an international alumni of circular fashion businesses, helping to pave the way for a more circular future.
eBay’s Circular Fashion Fund will provide a total global investment of $1.2 million USD to start-ups in the global markets by the end of 2025 and over 200 hours of mentoring and networking support for applicants from industry experts.