Xiaomi, ex-Amazon execs invest $700k in Pakistani fashion ecommerce startup

Clicky, a Pakistan-based fashion ecommerce startup, announced it has raised US$700,000 in a pre-series A round from Xiaomi and former executives from Amazon Middle East and North Africa.

Angel investors, including Asif Keshodia, former executive for the Middle East and North Africa at Souq, also participated in the fundraise, according to a statement.

Photo credit: Andriy Popov / 123rf

Founded in 2016, Clicky is a fashion-focused marketplace and retail startup that works directly with manufacturers and builds private labels across fashion categories.

It plans to use the new funds to grow a team of fashion designers for homegrown labels. The startup will also invest in its logistics and supply chain in four of Pakistan’s major cities, with two fulfillment centers to be based out of Lahore and Islamabad.

“We see a massive opportunity here, looking at successful online fashion destinations launched in other markets like ASOS in the UK, Zalando in Germany, and Net-A-Porter in France,” said Keshodia.

The fashion and apparel sector remains one of the top three categories of ecommerce in Pakistan and is projected to grow its revenue by US$5 billion in the next three years.

Currently, 12% of the total market revenue in the fashion segment is generated through online sales. By 2023, online fashion sales are expected to grow by 18% across the categories of apparel, footwear, and fashion accessories.

The company is up against rivals in the space such as Bagallery, which closed a US$900,000 pre-series A funding round from Lakson Venture Capital last month, as well as the Alibaba-backed Daraz.