Rebundle

Rebundle is a direct-to-consumer company operating in the beauty and personal care industry, specifically targeting the multi-billion dollar hair extension market. Founded in 2019 by Ciara Imani May and co-founder Danielle Washington, the St. Louis-based startup was born out of May's personal experience with itchy scalps and skin irritation caused by traditional plastic synthetic hair extensions. This personal pain point, combined with a desire for a more sustainable lifestyle, led to the creation of a plant-based alternative that addresses both health and environmental concerns.

The company's flagship product, "braidbetter," is a plant-based braiding hair made primarily from naturally extracted banana fibers, an agricultural waste product. This proprietary material, called ReGen Hair Fiber™, is designed to be itch-free, non-toxic, lightweight, biodegradable, and compostable. Unlike conventional synthetic hair, which is often made from plastics like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) coated in irritating chemicals, Rebundle's product is a USDA Certified 97% Biobased Product. The extensions are available in a variety of colors and are sold directly to consumers through the company's website, often in limited drops that sell out quickly. The business model centers on this direct-to-consumer approach, positioning its product as a premium alternative priced between cheap synthetic options and high-end human hair.

Rebundle has also implemented a take-back program, allowing customers to mail in used plastic synthetic hair for recycling. This initiative turns waste management into a form of customer engagement, with the collected plastic being downcycled into items like outdoor furniture. The company has secured significant funding to scale its operations, including a $1.4 million pre-seed round in early 2022 led by M25, in addition to six-figures in grants and other non-dilutive capital. This capital is being used to expand the team, invest in the supply chain, and establish one of the only hair extension manufacturing facilities in the United States.

Keywords: plant-based hair extensions, banana fiber hair, biodegradable braids, non-toxic hair extensions, synthetic hair alternative, direct-to-consumer beauty, sustainable haircare, Black-owned business, Ciara Imani May, scalp irritation solution, eco-friendly beauty, circular economy, ReGen Hair Fiber, braidbetter, hair extension recycling, clean beauty, braiding hair, protective styles, social entrepreneurship, venture capital