Sourceasy

Sourceeasy operated as a technology-enabled platform focused on the apparel manufacturing sector, aiming to streamline the production process for designers, e-commerce stores, and private-label brands. The company was founded in March 2013 by Pranay Srinivasan, Chirag Chamoli, and Samudra Neelam Bhuyan, with operations based in San Francisco and Bangalore. Srinivasan brought extensive family experience in the textile and apparel export business, having helped expand his father's company before starting his own ventures. Chamoli provided the technical expertise, having founded a data storage company and worked as a software engineer.

The firm's core offering was a web-based platform that managed the entire apparel production lifecycle, from design and sampling to sourcing, quality assurance, and logistics. It served as a B2B marketplace connecting clients with a network of offline manufacturers. The platform allowed users to track orders, collaborate on designs, and request samples, with a key selling point being the ability to deliver finished goods in as little as four to six weeks. This model was designed to help brands test new styles in smaller quantities before committing to larger production runs. The company's revenue was generated by acting as an intermediary in these manufacturing transactions. Over its lifetime, Sourceeasy raised a total of approximately $4.64 million to $6.29 million in funding over several rounds from investors including 500 Startups, QueensBridge Venture Partners, and Structure Capital. A notable milestone was the acquisition of AbbeyPost, a US-based custom apparel design company, in May 2015, which enhanced its 'Made in USA' manufacturing capabilities.

Despite its initial traction and investor backing, Sourceeasy faced significant challenges. In late 2017, the company ceased operations and subsequently filed for bankruptcy in January 2018. Founder Pranay Srinivasan later reflected that while the platform aimed to solve numerous problems for brands, its full-service approach did not sufficiently automate key processes, leading to operational difficulties. Following the shutdown, Srinivasan went on to found Manufactured.com in 2018, a new venture applying lessons learned from Sourceeasy to digitize contract manufacturing across various industries.

Keywords: apparel manufacturing platform, private label production, custom apparel sourcing, fashion supply chain, textile outsourcing, B2B manufacturing marketplace, on-demand apparel, clothing production management, Sourceeasy, Pranay Srinivasan, Chirag Chamoli, 500 Startups, apparel design to delivery, clothing manufacturing, supply chain technology, online sourcing platform, fashion tech, textile industry, private label brands, AbbeyPost acquisition, contract manufacturing