A $1.3-million seed fundraising round

EQUO is a startup dedicated to developing sustainable products. This startup successfully raised $1.3 million in a seed round. Leading this funding round is NextGen Ventures, with participation from Techstars, East Ventures. Also participating in the round were angel investors Luke Vigeant, Jeff Hohner, Jack Tai, Mark Groves, Dimple Mukherjee, and female golfer Michelle Wie-West. EQUO also announced Michelle Wie-West as a global brand ambassador. Wie-West is an American professional golfer who competes on the LPGA Tour. She rose to fame in her teens when she was the youngest person to qualify for the LPGA Tour event. Wie-West also won her first major title at the 2014 US Open Women’s Golf.

 

Michelle Wie-West

 

Wie-West is very secure when using and carrying EQUO products. She believes that sustainability and health go hand in hand. Becoming a builder of a greener future for future generations is a goal that she is passionate about. She is very happy to be able to accompany EQUO in realizing this goal. With a capital of $1.3 million, this startup will expand its product lines, develop production and technical capacity, and expand its business scale. EQUO will increase brand awareness and influence in the US, Canada, and Singapore markets. It will also expand to Europe, Japan, and Australia.

 

About EQUO

EQUO was founded by Mariana Tran Vu in 2020. This is a brand that provides a 100% plastic-free, compostable solution instead of single-use plastic. Products manufactured and distributed by the company include straws, eating utensils, bags and food containers made from natural materials such as sugarcane, coffee, and coconut. EQUO is one of the 9 winning startups at UNOPS S3i Innovation Center 2022. This startup is also in the Top 18 EPPIC of UNDP. EQUO’s products are distributed on Amazon in the US, Canada, Australia, and EQUO’s website, Faire’s website, and F&B retail locations in Vietnam, Singapore, and Europe.

 

Mariana Tran Vu, Founder & CEO of EQUO

 

Mariana said: “Our vision is to replace all single-use plastic on the planet. New products this year will bring to the market a complete alternative to single-use plastic and including paper, in some cases”. Jimmy Quach, CEO of NextGen Ventures, shared: “EQUO operates with a purpose with a clear mission to eliminate the world of single-use plastic, giving consumers a better choice to protect the environment. NextGen is pleased to be accompanying Equo in pioneering efforts to promote the mission of sustainable development, market expansion, and business scale.”

Sources of information include e27 and TechInAsia.