The Dutch “responsible electronics” startup launched four years ago, selling a modular cellphone handset made with sustainably sourced minerals, and funded through crowdsourcing.
The latest round is backed by Pymwymic Impact Investing Cooperative and DOEN Participaties, the investment arm of the Dutch DOEN Foundation.
The funds will be used for material sourcing, production, distribution, recycling and improving its product longevity. Since its launch, Fairphone has sold 135,000 handsets, and has ambitions to influence the full electronics sector.
“There is very little set up by the industry for sustainable production in its current state,” says co-founder Bas van Abel.
