Tex.tracer is a Software as a Service (SaaS) transparency platform founded in 2020 by Jolanda Kooi and Bart Westerman. The company is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and operates with a team of 1-10 employees. Tex.tracer's mission is to create a transparent fashion ecosystem where consumers, brands, and suppliers connect, enabling informed decisions that positively impact the environment and society. The platform addresses sustainability challenges in the fashion and textile industry by providing verified insights into supply chains, from raw materials to finished products. Utilizing blockchain technology, time and geolocation stamps, and peer-to-peer reviews, tex.tracer collects and verifies data directly from suppliers. This approach allows companies to make informed decisions, improve their environmental and social impact, and work toward meeting the European Union's Net Zero goals for 2050.
Key Strategic Focus
Tex.tracer's strategic focus centers on enhancing supply chain transparency within the fashion and textile industry. The platform enables brands and retailers to collect and verify product and supply chain data directly from suppliers, ensuring accuracy and trustworthiness. By integrating blockchain technology, time and geolocation stamps, and peer-to-peer reviews, tex.tracer provides a comprehensive overview of the supply chain, empowering companies to make educated decisions and comply with emerging regulations such as the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and the Digital Product Passport.
Financials and Funding
In March 2023, tex.tracer secured €1.5 million in seed funding from investors including ROM InWest, HearstLab Europe, Joanna Invests, and several venture capitalists. This investment is intended to further develop and automate the SaaS platform and support international growth.
Technological Platform and Innovation
Tex.tracer's platform is distinguished by its use of blockchain technology to ensure data integrity and transparency. The platform collects primary source data from suppliers, verified through time and geolocation stamps and peer-to-peer reviews. This data is securely stored and accessed using blockchain, providing a transparent and comprehensive overview of the supply chain from manufacturing to raw materials. Additionally, tex.tracer offers consumer-facing tools such as QR codes on product labels and online store widgets, allowing end-users to trace a product's journey and make more informed purchasing decisions.
Leadership Team
- Jolanda Kooi, Co-Founder & CEO: With over 20 years of experience in the textile industry, Jolanda leads tex.tracer's mission to create a transparent fashion ecosystem.
- Bart Westerman, Co-Founder & COO: Bart brings extensive experience in the fashion supply chain, overseeing the operational aspects of tex.tracer.
- Olaf Lohle, Head of Sales: Olaf focuses on driving sales and expanding tex.tracer's market presence.
- Mara Janssen, Head of Product & Data: Mara is responsible for product development and data management, ensuring the platform meets industry needs.
Competitor Profile
Market Insights and Dynamics
The fashion and textile industry is increasingly prioritizing sustainability and transparency, driven by consumer demand and regulatory requirements. The market for supply chain transparency solutions is expanding, with companies seeking tools to verify and communicate their sustainability efforts.
Competitor Analysis
Key competitors in the supply chain transparency space include:
- The ID Factory: Provides end-to-end supply chain traceability solutions for the fashion and textile industry.
- Retraced: Offers blockchain-powered transparency for sustainable and fair fashion supply chains.
- Oritain: Utilizes forensic science to verify the origin of products, providing traceability in supply chains.
These companies focus on enhancing supply chain transparency through various technologies and methodologies, contributing to a more sustainable fashion industry.
Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships
Tex.tracer has established significant partnerships to strengthen its market position and innovation capacity. Notable collaborations include:
- Casestudy: A partnership to help brands adopt the Digital Product Passport, combining tex.tracer's data collection capabilities with Casestudy's expertise in producing trims and labels for the fashion industry.
- ROM InWest: An investment partnership aimed at further developing tex.tracer's platform and supporting international growth.
- HearstLab Europe: An investment partnership aligning with HearstLab's mission to support women-led ventures, providing resources to accelerate tex.tracer's growth.
Operational Insights
Tex.tracer's strategic considerations include:
- Market Position: With over 50 brands onboarded and more than 200 million items traced, tex.tracer has established a significant presence in the Netherlands and is poised for international expansion.
- Competitive Advantages: The platform's use of blockchain technology, combined with time and geolocation stamps and peer-to-peer reviews, ensures data integrity and transparency, setting it apart from competitors.
Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions
Tex.tracer's strategic roadmap includes:
- International Expansion: Leveraging its growing market share in the Netherlands to fuel further growth in the global fashion industry.
- Platform Development: Further developing and automating the SaaS platform to enhance user experience and scalability.
- Regulatory Compliance: Assisting brands and retailers in complying with emerging regulations such as the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and the Digital Product Passport.
Contact Information
- Website: tex-tracer.com
- LinkedIn: tex.tracer LinkedIn
- Instagram: tex.tracer Instagram
- Twitter: tex.tracer Twitter
