Project Dates

Start: 2020

The Story

Uptraded is a digital clothes swapping marketplace that reimagines fashion consumption through circular exchange. Originating from local clothes swap events where garments functioned as currency, the platform scales this concept into an accessible online system. Users upload clothing they no longer wear and receive uptraded points – an internal ‘currency’ – which they can use to select pre-loved items from others. This model promotes reuse over purchase, shifting the fashion experience from linear consumption to circular participation. By removing the need for money and enabling direct value exchange between individuals, uptraded lowers environmental impact, extends product lifecycles, and democratizes access to fashion. The platform’s innovation lies in simplifying peer-to-peer swapping into a seamless, gamified, and scalable digital ecosystem – turning idle wardrobes into active, sustainable inventories.

Success Factor | Hero Moment

The turning point for uptraded was its growth from a small community of 1,000 to over 20,000 active members. What began as a network of friends expanded to include strangers who organically adopted the platform as part of their daily lives. This shift demonstrated that when people are given intuitive tools to act sustainably and connect with others, they take initiative, manage exchanges themselves, and become drivers of community-led change.