Upcycled backpack brand La Virgule raises €1 million

French brand La Virgule, specialised in upcycled backpacks and bicycle bags, has recently raised €1 million to finance the development of its solutions to recycle outdoor equipment that has reached the end of its useful life.

La Virgule has carried out a funding round with various business angels, interested in the project launched in 2020 by Maxime Labat, former silver medallist in the world junior windsurfing championship, Benoit Gourlet, an engineer at Decathlon, and cyclist and trail runner Nathan Douillard. The initial project was to re-use materials salvaged from kitesurf boards, lifeboats and similar equipment, to make bags and accessories. From the outset, La Virgule has been keen to avoid placing expensive ads with groups like Meta and Google.

“By surrounding itself with business angels specialised in various fields, the company aims to strengthen its network and expertise,” said CEO Nathan Douillard. “Our company is growing and has strong fundamentals, but this funding round is a unique opportunity to accelerate our expansion,” he added.

The capital raised will enable La Virgule to hire two senior executives focused on developing new recycled products. The brand is also keen to deploy a digital marketing strategy, aiming to improve its visibility without resorting to intrusive communication strategies.

La Virgule’s assortment includes belt bags priced at €59, hiking bags at €289, the Grand Hors-Bord backpack at €179, and the Gravelot backpack at €149. The North Face and Patagonia have run upcycling workshops for their customers with La Virgule, which also claims to have developed the first upcycled bag for cross-country skis with French brand Zag.

La Virgule has also established ties with ocean protection organisation Sea Shepherd, whose founder Paul Watson was in the news in July, when he was arrested in Greenland. La Virgule is donating to Sea Shepherd 20% of the revenue from the sales of products co-branded with the organisation, including a seafaring version of the Hors-Bord backpack.