Vilnius-based startup Sort A Brick, which uses AI-powered technology to automatically sort and reuse toy building bricks affordably and sustainably, has raised €1.15 million in pre-seed funding. The investment was led by FIRSTPICK, with support from nine business angels and an initial €200,000 investment from the founders. The funds will be used to develop the software and finance the construction of prototype machinery.
- Founded in 2023 by Ilya Malkin and Aurimas Slapšys, Sort A Brick harnesses AI-powered computer vision and sorting technology to revive and reuse toy-building bricks.
- Focusing on sustainability and creativity, Sort A Brick allows users to send in their neglected bricks, transforming them into complete, ready-to-build sets. This enables users to enjoy the same building experience for 25% of the cost of a new set while reducing their environmental impact by reusing plastic bricks and cutting CO2 emissions from new production.
Details of the deal
- The fresh funding was led by FIRSTPICK, a Vilnius-based venture capital firm that invests in the Baltic tech startups from various sectors, including fintech, SaaS, deeptech, and consumer marketplaces.
- The round was also supported by business angels, including Mantas Mikuckas, and the founders’ initial investment of €200,000.
- Sort A Brick plans to use the recent funding to enhance its operations by investing in prototype machinery, advanced computer vision technology, software development, and market testing.
- Additionally, the startup aims to raise €2.5 million in a seed funding round by spring 2025, targeting international VC funds. It plans to initiate its expansion across Europe with a limited launch in Germany this October.
"I'm incredibly grateful to our investors for their trust and support in helping us revolutionize the way LEGO bricks are sorted back into sets. This backing fuels our mission to make LEGO experiences more sustainable and accessible. A huge thanks to our team and partners for believing in our vision," Co-founder at Sort A Brick, Aurimas Slapšys, commented on LinkedIn.
