LØCI

LØCI is a British footwear brand that offers 100% vegan luxury sneakers handmade in Porto, Portugal, from certified recycled ocean and African coast plastic and renewable and biodegradable materials, such as cork, natural rubber, and recycled materials like bamboo, brass, and foam. LØCI shoes feature 100% natural rubber soles, 100% recycled foam midsoles, and natural cork insoles. In May 2023, the company introduced its latest offering, the maize eco-leather collection , which features a range of 100% vegan materials that replicate the luxurious look and feel of leather made from a combination of 50% corn waste and 50% recycled polyurethane. According to the company, its eco-leather collection is 4x more durable than traditional animal leather and is 63% biodegradable. As of July 2023, LØCI sneakers’ starting prices are at GBP 113 (~USD 145). 

Since its launch, the company has gained global traction with physical stores across Europe and the US and an online presence in more than 200 territories worldwide. As of October 2022, the brand had removed over 982,000 plastic bottles, both land-bound and ocean-bound.

Key customers and partnerships

In October 2022, LØCI partnered with Aglet, a digital platform that connects sneakerheads, creators, and brands through virtual sneakers to digitally launch their vegan sneakers on Web3 through gamification. The two companies unveiled the LØCI Seven “Pyonkiti” in April 2023, designed by Aglet's contest winner. The company has also partnered with notable fashion retailers such as Bergdorf Goodman, Stockmann, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus.

Funding and financials

In October 2022, the company raised GBP 4 million (~USD 5 million) in seed funding , as well as an investment from actor and environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio to expand its global presence.