Coolmate, a leading Vietnamese direct-to-consumer (D2C) fashion brand, has completed its Series C funding round led by Vertex Growth Fund. The round also saw participation from Cool Japan Fund, YoungOne CVC, and existing investors Vertex Ventures SEA & India and Kairous Capital. This milestone marks a major step forward for the company as it prepares to enter its next phase of growth.
Driving global growth and diversification
Founded in 2019, Coolmate has built a technology-driven local supply chain to deliver affordable, high-quality products and reliable customer service. The brand has fulfilled more than five million orders across Vietnam, becoming one of the country’s most successful D2C startups.
The new investment will accelerate Coolmate’s strategic plan for the 2026–2030 period, focusing on three key initiatives: Go Women, Go Global, and Go Offline. These priorities aim to expand the brand’s reach across new customer segments and international markets while strengthening its domestic retail presence.
In March 2025, Coolmate launched its first women’s activewear line, a fast-growing category in Vietnam. This marks a shift from being perceived primarily as a men’s fashion brand to positioning itself as a performance lifestyle brand for everyone. The company targets 40% of its total revenue to come from women’s products by 2030.
Coolmate also took its first step into global markets this year by debuting on Amazon US with a line of sports socks that quickly achieved Best Seller status. The brand recorded more than 25,000 monthly orders shortly after launch. Building on this success, Coolmate plans to grow its international revenue share to 30% by 2030, with expansion across Southeast Asia as the next milestone.
The brand’s offline strategy is another major focus. Coolmate aims to create physical retail spaces that showcase Vietnamese craftsmanship through purposeful design and performance-oriented apparel. Offline sales are projected to contribute up to 40% of total revenue by 2030.
Investor confidence in Coolmate’s vision
Despite a challenging investment climate, Coolmate continues to attract strong investor confidence. The company’s strengths lie in its end-to-end supply chain within Vietnam, innovation in performance-driven apparel, dynamic brand engagement, and a young, ambitious team. These qualities have helped it sustain growth and attract global investors across multiple funding rounds.
“Coolmate was founded with a simple belief — that Vietnam can create global-standard products, designed and produced with pride at home. This investment allows us to amplify that belief, expand to new markets, and keep building a brand that truly represents Vietnamese innovation,” said Pham Chi Nhu, CEO and Founder of Coolmate.
James Lee, General Partner at Vertex Growth Fund, added, “Coolmate exemplifies Vietnam’s new generation of consumer brands — digitally native, vertically integrated, and globally ambitious. The company’s disciplined execution and product innovation have set strong foundations for scale. We are proud to support its vision of becoming a leading performance lifestyle brand from Vietnam to the world.”
Strategic investors supporting Coolmate’s growth
Vertex Growth Fund, the lead investor, focuses on supporting companies at the growth stage that are building enduring category leaders. As part of the Vertex global network of venture capital funds anchored by Temasek, the fund leverages access to global innovation ecosystems and portfolio synergies to help its partners scale internationally.
Cool Japan Fund, a government-backed investment initiative, supports companies that promote Japanese culture and lifestyle overseas. The fund aims to help Coolmate collaborate with Japanese IP owners and distributors to develop official merchandise, particularly in Vietnam and other key international markets.
YoungOne CVC, the corporate venture arm of South Korea’s Youngone Holdings, brings extensive expertise in high-performance apparel and sustainability. Its involvement aligns with Coolmate’s ambition to become a global player in performance lifestyle fashion.
Coolmate’s Series C success reflects the growing maturity of Vietnam’s consumer brand ecosystem. With a strong domestic foundation, international investor backing, and a clear roadmap for growth, the company is positioned to redefine the global perception of “Made in Vietnam” products.
