THE BUSINESS IS IN THE BAG FOR MINITRADE WITH AN $880 K INVESTMENT
Montréal, September 15th, 2015 – Isabelle Doucet got the idea to found Minitrade at the end of 2012 when she saw bags filled with children’s clothes gathering in her home as well as garments in her own closet, some of which had never been worn. A good idea that quickly found a market! The business expanded rapidly in Quebec and can now take its place on the Canadian market with an $880 K investment, including $405 K from Anges Québec members and $250 K from the Anges Québec Capital fund.
Minitrade is an intelligent way for women to renew their wardrobe and offers exclusive fashion items by acting as an intermediary between women who want to dispose of quality clothing that is still trendy and those who are looking for unique pieces at an affordable cost, for themselves or their children,” explained Isabelle Doucet, founder and CEO of Minitrade.
With an inventory that has a daily inflow of over 15,000 pieces, provided by its 35,000 users, bought upfront or on consignment, Minitrade stands out from online second-hand stores through its high selection criteria: they only accept recent pieces of well-known brands that are in perfect condition. The MCouture section even offers designer clothes. “Partnerships with public figures such as Mitsou for the MCouture high-end selection, have also greatly contributed to our visibility and growth. We have just moved into new offices and this investment will allow us to promote MCouture in the rest of the Canada,” added Isabelle Doucet.
Mike Cegelski, the angel who led this investment project at Anges Québec, has complete confidence in the expansion project: “I am convinced that this business has everything it needs to position itself as a leader in Canada, where it does not have a comparable equivalent. I am also encouraged by the fact that it is led by a bold and determined entrepreneur, who promotes environmentally responsible values which, like me, more and more consumers are becoming aware of.”
About Mike Cegelski
A successful entrepreneur, then angel investor and mentor, Mike Cegelski’s path is guided by passion! He likes to get involved where it counts, and where he can provide tangible value. As an entrepreneur, he founded and managed Beltron from 1984 to 2000, followed by iBwave from 2003 to 2015: two highly successful businesses in the field of telecommunications. As an investor and mentor, Mike Cegelski has been involved with more than 30 companies in the last 10 years, and, in several ways, in the angel investors community. His primary vocation continues to be to favour the entrepreneurial spirit!
About Anges Québec
Anges Québec is a network of over 165 private investors that identifies, finances and coaches innovative enterprises in a wide range of sectors and in all regions of Québec. So far, Anges Québec members have completed over 77 investments and reinvestments in promising businesses in the seed and startup phases.
About the Anges Québec Capital Fund
Anges Québec Capital is an investment fund created to provide financial support to members of the Anges Québec network. The fund is mainly sponsored by Investissement Québec, the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and the Fonds de solidarité FTQ, to support financial angels who invest in innovative seed or start-up companies in Quebec. The joint effort by the angels and sponsors has resulted in over $125 million being made available to entrepreneurs, allowing them to benefit from more substantial financial leverage in order to considerably increase the development of their business.
Information:
François Gilbert
President and CEO
ANGES QUÉBEC
C. 418.261.0011
Isabelle Doucet
Founder and CEO
MINITRADE
Direct 514.999.2691