CustomMade

CustomMade operates an online marketplace that connects buyers seeking bespoke, one-of-a-kind creations with a network of professional makers. The platform hosts more than 12,000 makers and was built to help consumers find uniquely sourced, custom goods. Leadership has focused on building capabilities to help customers describe needs and match with the right maker while enabling makers to run their businesses more efficiently. In early 2013 CustomMade added Jim Haughwout to lead technology efforts and product development. The company says it has doubled in size and revenues over the past six months. CustomMade intends to use new funding to expand its position in the custom-made goods market and make custom accessible to a broader audience. CustomMade operates an online marketplace that connects shoppers with artisans to commission customized goods such as jewelry and furniture. Customers post project proposals and makers browse requests, build profiles and portfolios, assign themselves and bid; an average project receives three bids and completes for $1,000. The site hosts over 3,000 artisans and is seeing $500,000 in project requests per week, with transaction volume growing 50% month-over-month. Co-founders Seth Rosen and Mike Salguero bought the site in 2009; the platform has existed since 1996. CustomMade differentiates from marketplaces like Etsy by focusing exclusively on customized, higher-priced work. The company will use the new funding to expand its technology infrastructure and scale the platform. CustomMade operates a peer-to-peer marketplace where customers post project proposals for custom products such as jewelry and furniture and makers can browse and assign themselves to projects. Makers sign up and build profiles and portfolios on the site so customers can review their work. The platform hosts over 3,000 makers and has overseen over $2 million in project requests, averaging around $1,500 per job. Co-founder Mike Salguero says the company is tapping into demand for local, green, and personalized goods. Google Ventures framed the business as a technology platform that links local artisans to a wide customer base. CustomMade plans to use its new funding to expand staff and site features with the goal of disrupting big-box retail through personalized products. CustomMade operates an online marketplace that connects buyers of custom furniture, cabinetry and other products with artisans such as woodworkers, metalworkers and glass makers. The platform provides makers with tools to find an audience and serves as a local directory and online portfolio while helping consumers locate the right custom maker. Co-founders Seth Rosen and Mike Salguero purchased the business in 2009 and have grown the community from about 350 woodworkers to over 1,200 paying custom artisans. The company reports accelerating revenue growth and decided to delay taking venture capital. It secured a $1.15M angel round, taken as a convertible-debt bridge, which was quickly oversubscribed. Proceeds will fund expanded consumer marketing, entry into additional custom verticals, and hires for website development and sales.