Which sustainable footwear startup was co-founded by Tim Brown and Joey Zwillinger? Allbirds.
Allbirds was co-founded in 2015 by New Zealand former professional footballer Tim Brown and biotechnology entrepreneur Joey Zwillinger. Brown had been exploring merino wool as a shoe material, while Zwillinger brought experience in science, business, and sustainable materials.
The company’s first major product was the Wool Runner, launched in 2016. Its minimalist design and use of merino wool helped distinguish it from conventional athletic shoes, while direct-to-consumer sales and a strong environmental message fueled rapid attention. Brown’s earlier Kickstarter campaign raised about $119,000 in five days.
The name refers to New Zealand’s nickname, “the land of birds,” reflecting the country’s lack of native land mammals. Allbirds is often confused with Toms, Veja, or Rothy’s because all sell fashion-oriented footwear with sustainability-related branding. However, the specific founder pairing in this question identifies Allbirds.