<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nVinted was founded in 2008 by Milda Mitkute and Justas Janauskas in Vilnius, Lithuania. <\/p>\n\n\n\nJustas Janauskas and Milda Mitkute<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nMitkute was a shy person who had learned one important rule, not to follow others and lose her individuality. She was invested in forming her dreams and understanding herself. Her father had died when she was six, and she grew up with her mother, sister and grandmother. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mitkute’s grandmother believed that education was the key to a successful future and encouraged Mikute to study hard and be at the top of her class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mitkute had never dreamed of being a businesswoman. When she moved from her native town to the capital to study, she moved her whole closet. Mitkute realized that she had many things that she didn’t wear anymore. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many items still had the tags on, or she had worn them only a couple of times. She had lots of stuff in her closet, but it still seemed that she had nothing to wear. She then thought that she must not be the only girl in this situation. And she was right. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few days later, Mitkute was invited to a housewarming party, where she met Janauskas. She mentioned her idea for an online marketplace to sell fashionable used clothing to Janauskas, a software engineer at that time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The idea for Vinted was born from this spontaneous conversation. Although it could have stayed as an idea, Mitkute and Janauskas were so passionate about the idea that they wanted to try it out. They realized the need for a prototype to sell used clothes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Within a few weeks, Janauskas and Mitkutte created a prototype for an online marketplace where people could exchange pre-owned clothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vinted was an unexpected success right from the beginning. Members were joining every hour, and media coverage was excellent. News portals, radio stations were calling Mitkute asking for interviews. It was then that they realized that they had started something big.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mitkute’s simple idea created a billion-dollar business. Her company doesn’t contribute to the global pollution problem by throwing out perfectly good clothes. Instead, it encourages people to recycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They help people save money by selling second-hand items. Their main goal is to ensure that everyone has access to affordable fashion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vinted then extended the site into Germany, where it runs as Kleiderkreisel these days. France and Germany are the top two countries using Vinted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vinted was expanded into the United States in 2010. After about two years, the company launched a mobile app on Android and iOS to complement the desktop version. Vinted now allows users in 12 different countries to sell, buy and trade clothing. Today, the company has a community of around 37 million people that includes both men and women. <\/p>\n\n\n\n