Amsterdam-based Dutch Founders Fund has reinforced its long-standing belief in recommerce as a structural market shift by backing Getmobil’s € 18.8 million Series A funding round. Rather than treating recommerce as a niche consumer trend, the investor frames secondary electronics as core infrastructure for modern mobile markets, particularly those facing supply constraints, pricing pressure, and sustainability mandates. The decision to continue supporting Getmobil reflects confidence in execution, scalability, and long-term relevance within the circular economy.
From frustration to platform
Getmobil was founded by Mehmet Ertan Uygun and Zeynep Uygun after a personal inability to find a trustworthy and efficient way to buy and sell a used smartphone. That initial frustration has since evolved into what investors describe as a de facto operating system for device trade-in, refurbishment, and resale within Turkey. The platform has built scale in a market where consistent supply, quality assurance, and pricing transparency remain structurally difficult to achieve.
Turkey as proving ground
Turkey represents a mobile-first, highly price-sensitive environment where new smartphones are significantly more expensive due to import restrictions and taxation. These conditions have accelerated demand for refurbished devices, positioning recommerce as a practical necessity rather than a discretionary alternative. At the same time, sustainability awareness is increasing, creating alignment between economic pressure and circular consumption models. For Getmobil, this combination has enabled rapid platform adoption and operational maturity.
Policy and sustainability alignment
Government policy in Turkey is becoming increasingly supportive of high-quality refurbishment, reinforcing the business case for professionalised secondary market operators. By extending device lifecycles and improving access to affordable technology, platforms like Getmobil contribute directly to waste reduction and resource efficiency. This alignment strengthens the sustainability narrative while reducing regulatory risk for investors seeking exposure to circular economy infrastructure.
Strategic investor syndicate
The Series A round includes participation from Lowercarbon Capital, IFC International Finance Corporation, Endeavor, and 2150, underscoring the strategic framing of recommerce as climate-relevant industrial capacity. Dutch Founders Fund also backs Dubai-based NorthLadder, which operates large-scale trade-in programmes across the Middle East and Europe through a multi-buyer platform model designed to maximise residual value. Together, these investments reflect a broader thesis around scalable recommerce systems beyond single markets.
Implications for secondary markets
Getmobil’s trajectory highlights how regional platforms can mature into foundational infrastructure for the secondary mobile ecosystem. As trade-in volumes increase and grading standards tighten globally, infrastructure-led recommerce models are moving from early adoption toward operational necessity, shaping the future of circular electronics markets.
Market
Trade-in
Repair
Refurbishing
