Gibie

Summary

There is an immediate need to curb the ongoing devastation the textile industry has on the planet. GIBIE aims to disrupt this industry using plant-based dyes inspired by 5000-year-old Ayurvedic processes. Their products are kind to our skin & the environment by avoiding the use of harmful chemicals.

• Replacing synthetic dyes with plant-based dyes
• Selected for Green Product Award ‘20, Innovation & Sustainability
• Global bed & bath linen market estimated at £60 Billion in 2020
• Longer-term ambition to exit by trade sale

Idea

The textile industry uses an astonishing 9 trillion gallons of water annually. In India alone, 425 million gallons of water are used daily, with around 500 gallons of water are used in the production of just one pair of jeans.

GIBIE was founded with the aim of reducing the harmful effects and pollution from current linen production by creating fabrics through a combination of 5000-year-old Ayurvedic Herbal dyeing techniques and modern weaving technology. We strongly believe our linen has superior qualities to chemically enhanced and dyed linen, and that there are sufficient resources available in nature to develop superior fabrics. We want to tap into the benefits and utilities that come with natural fibres and dyes.

After extensive research and development, the plant-based dyeing processes developed with our partner in India are now ready for production at industrial scale through identified suppliers and manufacturers who can achieve our production goals. We have executed a test run on Amazon, resulting in an impressive response, and are in close talks with a buyer in Canada.

Awards & recognitions:

1. Selected for Green Product Award, 2020
2. VEGAN Brand accredited & approved by PETA
3. Member of Color Ashram Foundation

Funds from this raise will be spent on recruitment, launching key sales programs & marketing initiatives, as well as scaling production & product ranges.

Team

Working in the textiles industry in India, GIBIE’s founder Hitesh learnt about terrible conditions within the dyeing industry. Pollution being pushed out into rivers in India resulted in many diseases. Hitesh saw that factory workers injured their fingers due to the harmful synthetic dyes. Disheartened, he decided to make a change to source alternative dyeing methods.

In 2016, he met Arun Baid (part time advisor at Gibie), Herbal Dyeing Expert & Head of Research. Arun had been researching Ayurvedic Dyeing Practices which were 100% natural, healthy & had existed in India for 5000 years but were on the brink of extinction. Hitesh and Arun came together to start building the industrial methodology of Ayurvedic Dyeing. 3 years of research allowed Hitesh, Arun and his team in India* to develop the right method of dyeing practices for modern textiles, resulting in Gibie being founded and Hitesh being appointed as CEO last year. *Please note this is a separate company

Vibhu Taneja (part time advisor), with his rich experience of working with renowned Investment Banks, joined as one of the earliest investors and board of directors, believing in Hitesh’s vision to build a sustainable and luxurious linen brand.

Mark Swanwick, a seasoned NED & advisor to many start-ups has also joined as the Chairman (Non-Executive), bringing his rich experience and knowledge to take GIBIE to the next level.