Lab-go, a start-up that aims to revolutionise the concept of authentication using patented QR codes, announces the closure of a €1.4 million bridge round of investment. The transaction brings the company’s post-money valuation to approximately €18 million.
The transaction was fully underwritten by a pool of Italian and Swiss entrepreneurs acting as business angels, who chose to support Lab-go’s technological vision without the involvement of institutional funds, confirming the soundness of the business model applied to brand protection and fan engagement.
According to data from Boston Consulting Group’s 2025 Resale’s Next Chapter report, the global second-hand market is growing three times faster than the primary market. However, this expansion is being held back by the risk of counterfeiting, a phenomenon that is now worth over $450 billion globally.
In response to this challenge, Lab-go has developed proprietary technology based on patented QR codes that represents a radical evolution from traditional authentication systems. Unlike holograms, which are easily replicable, Lab-go’s system features a unique scan: once the certificate of authenticity has been generated, the code changes its status, eliminating the possibility of cloning. This one-shot system makes counterfeiting virtually impossible, guaranteeing the originality of the product at every stage of its journey.
Thanks to this innovation, the start-up has already won the trust of leading brands in the world of sport and entertainment, collaborating with most of the football teams in the Italian Serie A league and with international music icons such as Metallica, Iron Maiden and Linkin Park.
The capital raised will be allocated primarily to expansion in the fashion sector, where traceability is now essential and the Digital Product Passport (DPP) will become mandatory in the textile industry. The key project involves the development of a system connecting fashion products with their digital twin. This tool will make it possible to create a digital product passport that certifies its authenticity and origin throughout the supply chain, providing fundamental value for both manufacturers and end consumers, especially on resale platforms.
Technology will enhance brand protection: QR codes will become gateways to personalised digital experiences and exclusive content, allowing brands to maintain a direct and interactive connection with their customer base, even after the physical product has been sold.
“This capital increase will enable us to accelerate and bring to fruition a number of technological and strategic projects that we have been quietly working on for over two years. We are proud to have closed the round with a group of investors who strongly believe in our mission: for us, they best represent the entrepreneurial spirit that has guided Lab-go since its inception and shapes its choices,” said Mirko Brignani, CEO of Lab-go (pictured with the team), in a statement.
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