Led · Series A · Mar 2022

KICKS CREW is a global digital marketplace for authentic sneakers and apparel that launched in January 2021. It operates a verified-retailer model, working only with verified retailers and brands to ensure authenticity at the source. The platform offers a borderless shopping experience to millions of users worldwide and partners with major international sporting brands for direct product launches. KICKS CREW has world-class investor backing from Gobi Partners, AEF, and Pacific Century Group. The company plans to empower emerging brands, enable player-owned product distribution, and support collaborations that blend art and basketball. A recent strategic partnership and equity investment from Kyrie Irving is positioned to expand community-driven initiatives, philanthropic programs, and accessibility for athlete products globally, including projects in the Middle East and Africa; the company is running promotional initiatives tied to the partnership including an 111-pair ANTA Shock Wave 5 giveaway. Kicks Crew is a Los Angeles- and Hong Kong-based sneaker and apparel e-commerce platform that operates a B2B2C marketplace working with verified retailers to guarantee product authenticity. Founded as CEO Johnny Mak’s side project in 2008, the company aggregates over 400,000 styles across brands like Nike, Adidas and Converse. It reported gross merchandise value grew 15x in 2021 versus 2020 and traffic increased more than 5x since January 2021. Kicks Crew emphasizes accessibility across price points rather than focusing only on limited-edition collectibles and serves main markets in the U.S., Canada, Australia and Asia, with Japan, Korea and Taiwan as top Asian markets. The startup plans further expansion into Southeast Asia—targeting the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia—and aims to grow its headcount to about 150 employees this year to sustain growth. It has worked with large direct-to-consumer platforms including Amazon, eBay, Tmall and JD.com and positions itself as a trusted, scalable source of authentic supply for a diverse community of shoppers.