Two Nike veterans, including the basketball legend Michael Jordan's son Jeffrey Jordan, are launching a brand for sustainable workout apparel that hopes to compete with the likes of
The Portland, Oregon, startup ktiiv, which rhymes with black sleeve, recently hit its funding goal after launching its first products on a crowd funding platform. The company will use the cash from the campaign to grow.
ktiiv wants to take on the likes of Nike and Lululemon in the market for premium leggings. ktiiv products are made from plants and not from oil or plastic.
By contrast, the sustainable leggings sold by other brands are usually made from recycled material. It's lightweight, durable, and versatile and that's why it's a staple of athletic footwear.
Tim Gobet is a 15-year veteran of Nike and a co-owner of ktiiv. The line we want to put in the sand is that one.
Another sustainable brand hell-bent on moving the sportswear industry away from plastic is ktiiv.
The ktiiv campaign was launched on November 1. There was a bra, a legging, a tank, and a short-sleeve top. The leggings were discounted during the campaign.
The company's products are made at a contract factory in China with a proprietary plant-based material made by weaving together three types of natural thread
Gobet said it felt like nylon orPolyester. It's made from plants.
Gobet was a senior product manager for basketball at Nike. He worked on the Nike Pro apparel line. ktiiv products are designed to be used in the gym.
He sold his stake in the company after cofounding it with Brian Boesen.
Jordan is an ktiiv investor and adviser. He co-founding Heir, a digital platform that helps athletes connect with fans after leaving Nike, where he worked in several departments.
Jordan and Gobet met when they worked at Nike.
Jordan said thatSustainability has been something they've talked about. This type of product is not available.
Gobet and Jordan said they hoped big apparel and sportswear brands would follow in their footsteps and eliminate plastic. Unless Collective and Kent are similar brands. Kent, which makes underwear from plastic-free material, received an investment on the show.
Consumer demand for clothing made more sustainable is what the chief retail analyst for Doneger Tobe says.
She told Insider that the sector of the industry is similar to the food movement. People want to know where their items come from.
The greatest challenge for ktiiv will be its ability to communicate all of its efforts. She said consumers wanted to know more than just the lack of plastic.
Gobet and Jordan are considering retail partnerships for ktiiv. They plan to make men's products as well.
Gobet said that Nike was the best school of all time. I'm a big fan of Nike. I am a huge fan of Jordan. I want to find new ways to do things. All of the big brands are going to have to follow where we are going.
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