Activewear brand ready to be snapped up as it nears crowdfunding target

A Derby-based activewear provider is close to achieving its £300,000 crowdfunding target and is eyeing a sale to a major industry name.

3RD ROCK, which has dubbed its funding drive as ‘equity for earth lovers’, has raised just over 287,000 against a £300,000 total sought through the Seedrs platform.

The firm was founded in 2010 by Jessica Mor. She said: “I founded 3RD ROCK out of a passion to make long lasting clothes that don’t cost the earth. Clothes that move with the body, rather than hold it back, and even add a cheeky bit of flair into the mix.”

With over 55,000 units sold to customers, and wholesale accounts in 10 countries, Mor says the company is in a prime position to scale, or be snapped up by a big corporate. With this in mind, 3RD ROCK has handed part of the company over to the community it serves.

“Our hope is to be the first ever climbing brand owned by its community,” said Guy Mor, co-founder.

This has meant that a portion of the company’s funding is being allocated to engage in grassroots and community outreach programmes nationwide.

With a portion of its sales having been donated to charity since being founded, 3RD ROCK founding partner status with the Peak District Foundation – the fundraising body tasked with preserving the UK’s first ever national park.

Sarah Slowther, development officer at the foundation, said: “We’re delighted to be working with 3RD ROCK as official partners. Their donations, as well as their lending of expertise, is helping us preserve, protect, and promote one of the UK’s most valuable natural resources – the UK’s first ever national park.”

Guy Mor added: “First and foremost, we know that the best thing we can do for the business is succeed. That means we’re keeping the same focus on developing our product range, and expanding into new markets.

“We also happen to think that the best way to grow is by creating a bond with the customer that isn’t based on a commercial relationship, and that the most sustainable profit comes from keeping customers for a lifetime. That means we’ve got a role to play too, and this is how we want to play that part.”