Can you explain what Seamless Source is and the key services it provides?
Seamless Source is a platform designed to simplify and improve supply chains, which are often long, inefficient, and lack transparency. Many supply chains aren't circular, meaning products aren't designed or managed for reuse or recycling. With new regulations emerging to address these challenges, we try to provide a solution.

We create prebuilt, transparent, and circular value chains using our own technology, known as the Product Relationship Management (PRM) platform. PRM connects every part of the supply chain—suppliers, manufacturers, customers, recyclers, and retailers—into a single system. This helps businesses streamline their processes and achieve sustainable and transparent supply chains.

Which regions do you currently operate in?
Our supply base is primarily in Asia, particularly in South Asia for manufacturing. Beyond that, we also cover areas related to supply chain operations like transportation and logistics. Additionally, we have a smaller supply chain network in Europe and the UK, which are also key regions for us right now.

How do you ensure manufacturers or producers meet your standards?
We conduct initial checks, such as basic assessments and verifications. However, we also rely on recognized industry standard certifications. Since there are many overlapping certifications globally, we have identified specific ones that meet our standards. If a supplier holds one of these accepted certifications, we consider them compliant. This approach helps us avoid unnecessary duplication or complexity, as most certifications already focus on the same key areas.

How many producers, manufacturers, and suppliers are you currently working with?
We are actively collaborating with about 10 suppliers, but our network includes approximately 50 supply chain partners in total.

Can you share the story behind founding Seamless Source and what inspired you to address supply chain challenges in the fashion industry?
I was born in Sri Lanka and started my career as a fashion designer. Over the years, I worked in various parts of the world, including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, China, Europe, and the UK, on projects related to fashion innovations and supply chains. My experiences revealed three key problems in the fashion industry that inspired me to create Seamless Source:

1. Complexity: A simple product, like a T-shirt, often travels through multiple countries, creating an unnecessarily complex supply chain.
2. Technological gaps: Existing supply chain technologies are fragmented and often do not communicate across entities, making data collection and transparency difficult.
3. Fashion waste: An estimated 5 billion garments were wasted last year due to a lack of circular systems for recycling or repurposing.

Who can benefit most from Seamless Source solutions?
Currently, we focus predominantly on fashion supply chains, including apparel, accessories, and soft goods like toys. However, our technology has the potential to expand into other industries, such as food and beverages, home goods, and even electronics. For example, tracking where a circuit board or mobile phone component comes from could also benefit from our platform. While we're a small team now, our technology is adaptable for a wide range of industries.

How does Seamless Source cater to both small fashion brands and larger enterprises?
When we first started, we focused primarily on small businesses, which allowed us to learn and refine our processes. While we still work with smaller brands, our current focus has shifted toward medium-sized businesses. At the same time, we're running pilot projects with larger enterprise clients to scale our technology for their needs. Moving forward, we aim to balance our services between small, medium, and large businesses.

Why is the fashion industry vulnerable to supply chain complexity?
The fashion industry often prioritizes profit margins above all else, overshadowing factors like ethical labor practices and sustainability. This short-term focus leads to inefficiencies, poor transparency, and neglected environmental and social impacts, making the supply chain more complex and problematic.

How can Seamless Source help customers comply with the EU’s Digital Product Passport guidelines for garments starting in 2025?
Our platform already includes a Digital Product Passport feature. Any products created through our platform will automatically generate a Digital Product Passport. The process is fully automated—data is collected seamlessly through our AI-enhanced system, eliminating the need for manual entry or repetitive tasks. This ensures full compliance with the new EU guidelines while maximizing efficiency, allowing businesses to meet requirements effortlessly and focus on other priorities.

Is the textile and garment industry on the right path to circularity, or does it need to accelerate?
The industry talks a lot about sustainability and circularity, but it remains commercially driven. Without a clear monetary benefit, stakeholders are often hesitant to invest in circular solutions. However, change is happening—consumer behavior, government regulations, and market dynamics are all shifting. For circularity to succeed, it must align with financial incentives. For example, brands can earn beyond the initial sale by incorporating circular business models, such as enabling resale through digital product passports. This creates a continuous revenue stream while promoting sustainability.

Similarly, transparency improves supply chain efficiency. By identifying and reducing waste, businesses can save costs, making sustainability a financially viable goal. In short, aligning circularity and transparency with profitability is key to driving meaningful progress.

How does Seamless Source stay ahead of changing regulations and technological advancements?
Regulations are evolving rapidly, creating challenges for brands to stay informed and compliant. To address this, we closely monitor regulatory developments and collaborate with authorities such as European, US, and Australian regulators. However, instead of reacting to every regulatory update, we focus on the intended outcomes, building technology aligned with finalized guidelines to avoid wasting resources on premature solutions.

What are your plans for global expansion?
Our mission remains the same: to make products more transparent and circular, regardless of region. While continuing to focus on Asia, we plan to expand into Africa, particularly South and West Africa, where emerging legislation and opportunities are growing. Additionally, we aim to explore new industries beyond fashion and textiles, such as food, as client demand increases in these areas.

What has been the most rewarding part of your journey with Seamless Source?
I think we create meaningful businesses with Seamless Source and I feel we’re truly making a difference. Tackling challenges in a trillion-dollar industry and driving change toward sustainability and transparency has been incredibly satisfying.