In 2015, four developers released a fashion-rental app that allows college women to showcase designer dresses at formals and parties, without paying designer prices. The app quickly gained steam at the University of Mississippi, the branched out to a few other schools.
With the Curtsy app, women register with their university email address, fill in their sizes and other details, the browse available dresses and other clothing items. They may then rent these items on a short-term basis.
Members earn money for renting out their clothing items, and users avoid breaking the undergraduate budget.
Before receiving the New Technology Business Seed Fund investment from Innovative Mississippi, Curtsy was up and running at six different schools. With their new capital, they are growing their reach throughout the Southeast.
“Curtsy is very happy to accept the Mississippi Seed Fund investment from Innovate Mississippi,” said Curtsy cofounder William Ault. “The investment will allow us to expand to an additional 50 schools in the spring of 2017.”