SB

Stephanie Benedetto

CEO | Founder

Personal Background


Stephanie Benedetto is the CEO and Co-Founder of Queen of Raw, an innovative marketplace aimed at sustainability within the fashion industry. With a familial history deeply rooted in the textile business, Stephanie's great-grandfather emigrated from Austria in the 1890s and started a textile company in New York City. This background influenced her vision to tackle textile waste, reminiscent of her grandfather's method of repurposing garments with minimal waste.

Stephanie graduated from Emory University School of Law with a Juris Doctor and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from the University of Pennsylvania, where she graduated with honors.

Company Overview


Queen of Raw is focused on solving the supply-demand mismatch in the textile industry by providing a blockchain-enabled marketplace for buying and selling unused textiles. This platform helps companies turn their deadstock fabrics into profit while significantly reducing environmental waste. The business model Stephanie adopted can be seen as an "Airbnb for fabric," connecting manufacturers with buyers and thereby turning potential waste into valuable resources.

Achievements and Impact


Queen of Raw has already had an enormous environmental and economic impact:
  • Saved over one billion gallons of water, which is enough to provide clean water to 1.43 million people for three years.

  • Enabled businesses to profit from more than $120 billion worth of excess fabric.

  • The platform also significantly reduces the overall carbon footprint as the fashion industry is responsible for over 5% of global carbon emissions.


Innovations and Technology


The company leverages blockchain and machine learning/AI technologies to enhance supply chain efficiencies and promote sustainable business practices. This innovative approach not only helps in waste reduction but also explores applications in other industries beyond textiles.

Professional Achievements


  • Grand Prize Winner at the 2018 WeWork Creator Awards, hosted and judged by Ashton Kutcher, which resulted in securing $360,000 to launch Queen of Raw.

  • Recognized as a fellow at the Cartier Women's Initiative in 2020.

  • Awarded for her leadership in sustainable fashion and circular economy practices by various industry groups including MIT Solve and the CFDA.


Company Vision and Future Goals


Stephanie's mission extends beyond textiles to solving broader environmental issues, such as the global water crisis. Queen of Raw aims to push the boundaries of sustainability through continued use of advanced technologies and expansion into other sectors of the supply chain. Her ultimate goal is to ensure clean water availability and reduce toxic waste exposure for future generations, driven by her personal motivation to create a better world for her children.

Social and Business Impact


Queen of Raw operates as a for-profit business with a strong social mission. This hybrid model has been crucial in engaging C-suite executives across different specializations from CMOs concerned with storytelling to CIOs and COOs managing the supply chain.

Contact Information





Stephanie Benedetto's career exemplifies the integration of sustainability, technology, and business acumen to drive change in the global fashion industry. Her efforts have not only created a more sustainable approach to textile waste but have also demonstrated the potential for profitability in doing good for the planet.