Rens, a Finnish sustainable sneaker startup, is expecting to raise USD 1 million via the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter. The company initially raised USD 500,000 via a Kickstarter campaign in 2019 to fund the manufacturing of its first version of sustainable sneaker, “Original.” If this new crowdfunding campaign is successful, it would be considered the most funded Kickstarter campaign in Finland to date.  

The company expects to use the funds to scale manufacturing and accelerate the commercialization of its new sustainable sneaker, “Nomad,” which is expected to go into production by September 2021, with deliveries to begin by December 2021. Rens is also providing the Kickstarter Backers the option to preorder the Nomad shoe at a 40% discount to the retail price. Rens has set a super early bird price for the first eight hours of the campaign at USD 89 a pair, after which the early bird price will be USD 109. 

The company began prototyping the Nomad in August 2020 and unveiled the sneaker in nine colors. Each pair of Nomad sneakers is made from 21 cups of recycled coffee grounds and six recycled plastic bottles. 

Founded in 2017, Rens manufactures climate-neutral sneakers that are 100% vegan and made from recycled coffee grounds and plastic. The company launched its “Original” line of sneakers in 2019, and to date, it has recycled more than 250,000 plastic bottles and 750,000 cups of used coffee. The company has also partnered with Climate Partner to ensure all carbon emission standards are met.