To The Market: Ethical & Sustainable Work for Women

From Counter-Terrorism to Ethical Supply Chains: The Story of To The Market

Jane Mosbacher Morris initially launched her career by assisting women in combating terrorism within the U.S. Department of State. Currently, her focus has shifted to empowering these same women through the provision of equitable employment opportunities.

Recognizing the Need for Resources

Morris identified a crucial need: for women to effectively instigate change, they require access to essential resources. This realization prompted her to delve into the study of agriculture and other key sectors. She subsequently developed a strong interest in the strategic importance of investment within supply chains.

“My observations revealed that retail manufacturing represents the largest economies of scale and is predominantly staffed by women throughout the supply chain,” Mosbacher Morris explained to TechCrunch. “However, insufficient strategic investment hindered the advancement of ethical and sustainable retail products. We began exploring how we could act as a catalyst, elevating roles to enable full participation in the global supply chain.”

The Founding of To The Market

In 2016, she established To The Market with the core objective of democratizing access to the global supply chain. Simultaneously, the company aimed to safeguard the environment and champion businesses, particularly those spearheaded by women.

The company’s unique platform meticulously evaluates businesses for ethical and sustainable practices along the supply chain. It leverages technology to connect brands with this vetted network of suppliers. Currently, its syndicated supply chain encompasses over 200 manufacturers across 50 nations.

Securing Series A Funding

The company announced a Series A funding round on Monday, confirmed by Mosbacher Morris to be $5 million. Curate Capital spearheaded the financing, with participation from Working Capital Fund, Spouting Rock, and Forward Ventures. Additional investment came from Belle Fund, Knightsgate Ventures, and a collective of strategic angel investors.

A Seal of Approval for Ethical Goods

“To The Market is rapidly becoming a recognized standard for ethically produced goods,” stated Carrie Colbert, founder and general partner of Curate Capital. “They are poised to become the definitive source for these verified suppliers. I commend their growth in 2020; this team not only navigated the challenges of the pandemic due to their strong positioning, but also readily fulfilled demand when manufacturers faced disruptions in sourcing from China.”

Mosbacher Morris asserts that, due to its investment in its vendor matrix, the company is “at least ten years ahead of any competitor,” not only in terms of sustainability and ethical standards, but also in overall business performance.

Partnerships and Future Growth

Retailers currently collaborating with To The Market include Nordstrom Rack, TJ Maxx, Burlington, and Bloomingdales. The newly acquired funding will be allocated to facilitate further expansion.

This includes bolstering the team, enhancing technology development, and increasing market share. The company currently employs approximately 20 individuals, described by Mosbacher Morris as “a lean and highly effective team.”

“We are forging partnerships with manufacturers outside of China to enhance the value proposition of the global supply chain, particularly for U.S. companies that have historically concentrated their sourcing in a single country,” Mosbacher Morris explained. “The pandemic has underscored the critical importance of a diversified and syndicated supply chain. Reliance on a single factory or nation presents significant risks.”