Farro

il prices. The company combines advanced reconditioning and repair capabilities to handle traditionally unsellable inventory, providing a sustainable outlet that protects brand value and core markets. Faro also runs Faro Impact, a textile recycling initiative that recycles an equivalent kilo of textile waste for every kilo of sustainable clothing sold. Since its launch, Faro has rapidly grown, exceeding revenue projections and planning significant expansion across emerging markets. The leadership team brings extensive experience in African ventures, tech, and retail, emphasizing innovation, sustainability, and market disruption.

Philosophy

Faro is mission-driven to build the world’s most innovative fashion outlet that reduces global textile waste by providing a sustainable, discreet outlet for overstock and returns. The brand emphasizes affordability, accessibility, and sustainability, aiming to disrupt traditional fashion supply chains in Africa by offering authentic, high-quality fashion at discounted prices while protecting brand value and promoting circular economy principles.

Sustainability

Approach: Faro’s sustainability strategy centers on reducing textile waste by selling surplus and returned fashion inventory that would otherwise contribute to environmental harm. The company uses advanced reconditioning and repair to make unsellable stock market-ready and operates Faro Impact, a textile recycling initiative that recycles one kilo of textile waste for every kilo of sustainable clothing sold. This approach supports a circular economy, reduces the fashion industry's environmental footprint, and promotes responsible consumption in African markets.

Founders

David Torr, Background: Co-founder and co-CEO; previously co-founded UCOOK, a leading South African online food retailer, and involved with African cosmetics brand Lelive.. Will McCarren, Background: Co-founder and co-CEO; former Amazon and Jumia employee; co-founded ZUMI, Africa’s largest B2B clothing platform focused on reducing textile waste.. Chris Makhanya, Background: Co-founder; part of the founding team with experience in African tech and fashion ventures.. Amber Penney-Young, Background: Co-founder; held leadership roles in African tech ventures such as Reflective Learning, driving innovation and marketing strategy.

Background

Founded in 2023, Faro emerged from the founders' combined experiences tackling inefficiencies and waste in African fashion supply chains. The company sources excess inventory from global brands and sells it in African markets where these brands have limited or no physical presence. Faro’s model addresses the environmental and economic challenges of fashion waste by reconditioning unsellable stock and recycling textile waste through Faro Impact. The startup quickly gained traction, raising $6 million in funding and exceeding initial revenue expectations with plans for rapid expansion.

History

Faro was founded in 2023 by David Torr, Will McCarren, Chris Makhanya, and Amber Penney-Young. The founders leveraged lessons from previous ventures, including McCarren’s experience with ZUMI, to create a recommerce platform that addresses fashion waste in Africa. The company launched with a pop-up store in 2023, generating $100,000 in its first month, and grew to four stores with over $2.3 million in revenue in its first year. Faro secured $6 million in funding led by prominent investors to scale operations and expand across emerging markets, focusing on sustainable fashion retail and circular economy initiatives.