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§ Venture Capital · Stockholm, Sweden
Corporate venture capital investing in fashion tech, sustainable retail, and retail innovation startups to advance the future of fashion.
Key people at H&M CO:LAB.
H&M CO:LAB, operating as the venture capital arm of H&M Group from its base in Stockholm, Sweden, focused its investments on startups developing sustainable retail solutions, retail innovation, and new technical tools for the fashion industry. This corporate venture capital entity, fully funded by its parent company H&M Group, aimed to identify and strategically support innovative companies driving significant progress within the broader fashion sector. Its investment thesis specifically targeted emerging technologies and business models that could enhance sustainability, improve customer experiences, or streamline operations across the entire retail landscape. The firm actively engaged with the startup ecosystem, notably exemplified by its hosting of a prominent gathering for founders, startups, brands, and investors at the H&M NYC office during NRF 2026, fostering crucial industry connections. H&M CO:LAB was established in 2015; founder names are not publicly known.
Key people at H&M CO:LAB.
H&M CO:LAB is the corporate venture capital arm of H&M Group, focused on investing in early-stage startups that drive innovation and sustainability in fashion and retail. It aims to integrate new technologies and business models into H&M’s ecosystem, particularly those advancing circular economy principles and sustainable retail practices. The fund supports startups by providing capital, industry expertise, and access to H&M’s supply chain and network, helping promising innovations scale and create meaningful impact in the fashion industry[1][2][3][4].
Founded around 2021-2023 as part of H&M Group’s broader sustainability and innovation strategy, CO:LAB emerged to bridge the gap between early-stage innovation and large-scale industry adoption. It complements initiatives like the Global Change Award and the Circular Innovation Lab by investing in startups that align with H&M’s mission to become fully circular and climate positive. The venture arm is managed by experienced investors with a track record of deals across technology and sustainability sectors, leveraging a data-driven, operator-first approach to support portfolio companies[1][2][3].
H&M CO:LAB rides the global trend of corporate venture capital investing in sustainability and retail tech innovation. The timing is critical as the fashion industry faces increasing pressure to reduce environmental impact and adopt circular business models. Market forces such as consumer demand for sustainable products, regulatory shifts, and technological advances in materials and supply chain transparency favor CO:LAB’s mission. By investing in startups pioneering these changes, H&M CO:LAB influences the broader ecosystem by accelerating the adoption of sustainable technologies and fostering collaboration between startups and established industry players[1][2][3][9].
Looking ahead, H&M CO:LAB is poised to deepen its impact by expanding investments in AI-driven personalization, sustainable materials, and supply chain innovations. Recent investments, such as the $13 million funding in AI-powered menswear startup Thread, demonstrate a strategic push into technology-enabled retail experiences. As sustainability continues to shape consumer preferences and regulatory frameworks tighten, CO:LAB’s role as a bridge between innovation and industry scale will grow. Its influence will likely extend beyond fashion, setting a model for corporate venture arms driving systemic change in traditional industries[2][8][9].
In summary, H&M CO:LAB exemplifies how a major fashion retailer leverages venture capital to accelerate sustainable innovation, integrating startups into its ecosystem to transform the industry towards circularity and tech-enabled retail.
