Portland-based HILOS announced $3M in funding. HILOS is a design, development and infinite restock platform enabling brands to launch 3D-printed footwear lines without inventory or waste, pioneering the first commercially-scaled use of 3D printing technology for on-demand footwear.
CEO and Co-Founder Elias Stahl founded HILOS with an ambition to change the way footwear is made, rewiring the industry for zero-waste, on-demand products. Prior to HILOS, Elias served in the Israeli special forces, worked on urban policy while at the National League of Cities, and helped Fortune 50 brands leverage their influence for social impact as VP of Product at Handshake.
Chief Creative and Co-Founder Gaia Giladi started HILOS to shift the narrative of the industry, and make a true impact on the way fashion is designed, produced and recycled. Giladi side-hustled her way through college by upcycling her fashion school fabric scraps into handmade pillows and repurposing vintage jackets into holographic art pieces before we were calling it the circular economy. Prior to HILOS, Giladi worked as a multi-disciplinary designer at Hybrid, St. John Knits, and BCBGMAXAZRIA with a range from textile design to women’s and childrenswear.
Prominent investors include industry leaders Eric Sprunk, retired Nike chief operating officer, and Greg Bui, retired Nike VP of Global Footwear Sourcing & Manufacturing, as well as Better Ventures, Builders VC and XRC Labs. Greg Bui has joined the HILOS team to lead a rapid scale-up of the technology and end-to-end supply chain solutions, while Eric Sprunk is actively helping advise and build out the company’s board.
HILOS is currently revenue-generating and will use this investment to accelerate its work with innovative and sustainably-conscious brands while aggressively expanding into new product capabilities.
In 2022, some of HILOS’ major growth milestones included the launch of the first scaled 3D-printed mules, clogs and sandals. The company also received the SXSW Innovative World Technology and Best in Show awards. HILOS also partnered with Yale’s Center for Business, BASF Forward AM, HP and AMT to produce the first environmental evaluation of 3D-printed footwear report which found that HILOS technology cut carbon emissions by 48% and water usage by 99%.
For more information, visit hilos.co.
