Oxwash, a U.K.-based on-demand laundry startup, has raised £10 million (or approximately $11.5 million USD) from backers, including a Twitter co-founder.
Founded by Kyle Grant, a former NASA scientist, and Tom de Wilton, Oxwash reported that it is developing a more environmentally friendly laundry service for commercial businesses.
The startup targets businesses like hotel groups and other commercial enterprises, with clients including the Marriot Hotel Group.
Untitled VC led the Series A round with participation from Twitter co-founder Biz Stone; Indeed founder Paul Forster; and the son and daughter of Richard Branson, Holly and Sam Branson.
Oxwash has achieved B Corporation status for its business and said its approach to on-demand laundry is greener and more sustainable.
It uses “next-gen ozone technology” at lower temperatures to clean fabrics and biodegradable chemistry formulations for disinfecting clothes.
The company’s cleaning methods include wetcleaning, as well as a process called “acoustic drying,” which uses soundwaves to dry clothing rather than heat.
In addition, Oxwash uses electric cargo bikes and electric vehicles for laundry pickup and delivery. The company added that it plans to remove all direct greenhouse gas emissions from its operations within the next year.
The new funding will be used to build a new facility in the U.K. to service clients – it currently has three existing facilities – as well as to hasten its entry into the U.S. market.
“This new funding will be used primarily to develop our technology and invest deeply into the complete de-carbonization of our proprietary washing process,” Grant said. “Up to 30 percent will be used for expanding our software technology capabilities, 30 percent for the deployment of our nationwide processing facility, and the remainder for business development and growth.”
Oxwash employs 80 people, and its staff is expected to grow by 50 percent over the next year.
