The idea for Uni4mers was born from a familiar scene in many households. When co-founder Lanre’s youngest daughter finished school, she was left with cupboards full of perfectly good uniforms that were no longer needed. Like many parents, he had the option of donating them or giving them away – but with the rising cost of school uniforms, he wondered if there could be a way to both recover some of the cost and help other families in the process.

The existing second-hand uniform system was patchy at best – reliant on sporadic school-run sales, word of mouth, or local Facebook groups. What was clearly missing was a central, streamlined, secure platform that could serve parents and schools alike, all year round. And so, Uni4mers was created – a dedicated marketplace for second-hand uniforms that is accessible, affordable, and sustainable.

A Platform Designed for Parents and Schools

Uni4mers serves two primary users: parents and schools.

For parents, it offers an intuitive, easy-to-use platform where they can buy and sell school uniforms at any time. No more relying on once-a-term sales or navigating informal, unstructured arrangements. The platform allows users to filter listings by school, ensuring they only see relevant items – whether they have one child or several, at the same or different schools. This provides not only cost savings but a clutter-free, convenient shopping experience.

For schools, Uni4mers is more than just a helpful tool – it's a partner in sustainability, efficiency, and fundraising. Schools can upload and manage their own inventory, set prices, and earn income through commission-based sales. What initially appeared to some schools as a possible challenge to traditional donation-based sales has become a scalable opportunity to engage parents, promote eco-conscious practices, and raise funds with minimal admin.

Overcoming Resistance Through Collaboration

One of the early hurdles for Uni4mers was engaging schools and encouraging them to see the platform not as a competitor but as a collaborator. Many were initially concerned that encouraging resale could reduce donations to the school’s own second-hand shop.

The solution? Build a system where schools retain control. By allowing them to set up official accounts, upload their own stock, and benefit financially from each transaction, Uni4mers turned a perceived problem into a partnership. Now, schools can run their second-hand shops more efficiently and profitably, with added visibility and far less hassle.

More Than a Marketplace

A common misconception is that Uni4mers is simply a place to buy and sell used uniforms. In reality, it’s much more. The platform is designed to create a community around sustainable schoolwear – reducing waste, cutting costs, and making life easier for families juggling busy schedules and tight budgets.

Schools are central to this mission. Not only can they generate revenue and reduce textile waste, but they can also align the platform with their sustainability goals and parent engagement strategies.

Looking Ahead: Growing with Families

In the next 12 months, Uni4mers plans to expand its presence across private and grammar schools, continuing to onboard forward-thinking institutions who value environmental responsibility and community connection.

But that’s only the beginning.

The long-term vision includes expanding into other areas such as sports club kits, and even creating partnerships with uniform wholesalers and retailers. Eventually, parents will be able to buy both second-hand and new uniforms in one trusted space – with the same ease, reliability, and sustainability-first approach.

Built from Experience, Backed by Expertise

Co-founders Lanre and Zuriel bring a complementary blend of tech and finance backgrounds, but their real strength lies in their personal connection to the problem. Lanre’s journey as a parent navigating high uniform costs informed the platform’s design, while Zuriel’s childhood experiences of seeing how expensive schoolwear could be instilled a drive to create something better for future families.

Together, they’ve built a platform that reflects their shared vision: a smarter, greener, more cost-effective way to dress the next generation for school.