Prenew, an Espoo-based startup specializing in refurbished gaming PCs, has successfully closed a $2.12 Million pre-seed funding round. This significant capital injection, led by the early-stage venture capital firm Antler, is set to fuel the company's ambitious international expansion and a substantial hiring initiative in Finland. The investment underscores growing confidence in the circular economy for high-performance electronics.
Strategic Investment for European Growth
The funding round saw participation from notable investors including Outlast VC, Silence VC, and Nuard Ventures. A syndicate of experienced operators from successful European tech companies such as Swappie, Wolt, and Just Eat also contributed, providing strategic expertise alongside capital. This backing signals strong market validation for Prenew's specialized business model.
With this new capital, Prenew plans to aggressively expand its footprint beyond its current markets of Finland, Sweden, and Germany. The primary objective is to enter new European territories and strengthen its operational infrastructure, particularly in Central Europe. This strategic push aims to capture a larger share of the growing demand for sustainable gaming hardware.
Addressing a Niche in the Circular Economy
Founded in 2024 by Viljami Meriläinen and Roope Aarnio, Prenew operates a cross-border marketplace for professionally refurbished gaming computers. The company targets a fast-growing segment of gamers who are both price-conscious and environmentally aware. This model addresses a clear gap in the market for reliable second-hand, high-performance PCs.
Unlike smartphones, gaming PCs are highly customized, component-based devices, which makes their refurbishment and standardization significantly more complex. Prenew has tackled this challenge by focusing on automating key parts of the refurbishment process. This technological approach ensures consistent quality, scalability, and transparent pricing for consumers.
Jussi Kallasvuo, a Partner at Antler, highlighted the company's key innovation in his statement on the investment. He noted that Prenew has succeeded in automating the refurbishment of these complex devices. This breakthrough enables the introduction of an entirely new product type to markets where second-hand operations were previously very limited.
Ambitious Hiring and Operational Scale-Up
A major component of Prenew's growth strategy involves a significant expansion of its team. The company announced plans to hire up to 100 new employees in Finland over the next 18 months. These new roles will be concentrated in critical areas such as operations, technology, and marketplace development.
Co-founder Viljami Meriläinen expressed his enthusiasm for the company's trajectory and the opportunities this funding creates. "With this new funding, we are able to expand into new markets and recruit for several key roles," he stated. The company is already actively hiring for software engineering positions in Helsinki and operations roles in Berlin.
Market Position and Future Outlook
Prenew is positioning itself to become a leader in a burgeoning market segment. Meriläinen believes that second-hand commerce will become a significant part of buying and selling gaming PCs in the future. The company's strong customer reception, with nearly half of new customers acquired through referrals, supports this optimistic outlook.
The investment serves as a strong endorsement of Prenew's potential to set the standard for quality and trust in its category. By combining high-performance technology with a sustainable, circular model, the company is making elite gaming more accessible. This approach is poised to resonate deeply with the next generation of gamers across Europe.
The $2.12 Million in pre-seed funding marks a pivotal moment for Prenew, validating its innovative approach to the complex market of refurbished gaming hardware. This capital will not only accelerate the company's European expansion and team growth but also solidify its position as a key player in the circular economy. Prenew is now well-equipped to scale its operations and redefine the market for second-hand gaming PCs.