Led · Equity · Jul 2024

Bouqs operates a direct-to-consumer floral delivery model that ships flowers direct from farms around the world through a vertically integrated supply chain driven by proprietary data and technology. The company runs a growing e-commerce business and a robust subscription service that ships hundreds of thousands of orders annually, and also serves weddings, events, and corporate customers. Bouqs has begun expanding into physical retail, opening a flagship store on Robertson Boulevard, pop-up shops and same-day delivery in multiple U.S. cities, and three shop-in-shops inside Whole Foods Market in California. To support this retail expansion and other initiatives, Bouqs secured more than $23 million in combined debt and equity. The company was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Marina del Rey, California. The Bouqs is an online flower delivery company built on a farm‑direct supply chain that cuts out middlemen to deliver longer‑lasting bouquets. Its core offerings include direct online sales and a growing subscription product that the company says expands revenue and profitability. The new financing will accelerate expansion into international markets, beginning with Japan, and support development of brick‑and‑mortar stores and an entry into the wedding business. Founder and CEO John Tabis credits the company’s unique sourcing and proprietary supply‑chain technology as the foundation of the brand. The Bouqs faces incumbents like 1‑800‑Flowers and FTD in the U.S. and local players such as Ayoma Flower Market and FloraJapan in Japan. The company has now raised $74 million in total funding to date, the most among its flower‑delivery startup peers according to Crunchbase. The Bouqs operates an on-demand flower delivery service that sources inventory directly from farms to reduce middlemen and improve bouquet longevity. The company delivers Pinterest-worthy arrangements via its digital platform and competes in the $18 billion U.S. flower retail market. Leadership says the business achieved profitability in Q4 of last year, though the focus remains on rapid growth rather than sustained positive cash flow today. The Bouqs plans to scale aggressively, pursue international expansion, and build predictive analytics on the backend to optimize flower sales. Management intends to grow the team from about 40 employees to roughly 75 by year-end and secure new headquarters in Venice Beach, California. The Bouqs operates a DTC flower delivery service that sources blooms directly from eco-friendly farms in California, Ecuador, Colombia and Costa Rica to ship fresher flowers to customers. The company sells bouquets through an app and local artisan florists, offering next-day shipping and same-day delivery via its florist network. The Bouqs says its farm-direct model lowers cost and yields flowers that can last up to 10 days longer. It has shipped flowers nationwide since 2012 and grew its artisan florist network to 130 markets in under six months. The startup received a $12 million Series B and reports the new funding brings its total to just under $20 million in the bank. The company plans to use the capital to expand its farm-direct supply chain and florist networks, hire additional team members, and launch a new native app. The Bouqs Company operates an online flower delivery service that sources eco-friendly flowers direct from an international network of top-tier farms and sells curated bouquets to consumers and small businesses. The service is available via iOS and Android apps and on TheBouqs.com. Customers choose from over 100 curated Bouqs; offerings include roses, lilies, hydrangea, ranunculus, and sunflowers, with specific flat-rate shipping options for different farm sources. The company highlights farm-direct sourcing (including shipments from a South American volcano and partner farms along the California coast) and free overnight delivery options for certain SKUs. Financially, the company closed a $6M Series A to accelerate growth and scale operations. Planned uses of the funding include expanding staff, offering delivery outside the U.S., scaling technology and infrastructure, and sourcing from new farms and nurseries globally.

Led · Debt Financing · Feb 2019

Precision Opinion offers market-research and data-collection services using proprietary technology it says produces extremely accurate results for survey participants. Its platform and operations give voice to millions of American survey participants each year. Clients include social science agencies, government agencies, political consultants and large corporate customers. Founded in 2007 and based in Las Vegas, the company operates two state-of-the-art call centers and employs more than 700 Nevadans. Precision Opinion recently secured a $2.1 million investment intended to bolster product development, sales and marketing and to support hiring roughly 150 new local jobs. Leadership says the financing will support continued growth and the company’s market position after expanding from a 15-person firm to over 700 employees during its history. Precision Opinion provides consultative, data-collection and analytical market-research services using Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) technology for political organizations, government agencies, non-profits and the entertainment and hospitality industries. The company operates a 650-seat CATI data collection center and a focus-group facility that includes a commercial-grade kitchen and a 48-seat movie theatre. Precision Opinion has provided insights into the last three U.S. presidential elections and currently employs more than 700 Nevadans. Proceeds from its recent financing will be used to refinance existing debt and to provide additional growth capital. Management said the funding will support the company’s growth trajectory as it heads into the 2020 election cycle. The firm was founded in 2006 and is based in Las Vegas.

Led · Debt Financing · Nov 2018

Punch Bowl Social operates an experiential food & beverage concept that pairs a scratch kitchen and craft beverages with social gaming and design-forward spaces. The brand serves brunch, lunch, dinner and late-night menus alongside artisanal punches, micro-beers and non-alcoholic craft drinks. It has been recognized by Fast Company as one of The World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2018. Backed by private equity firm L Catterton, the company is pursuing expansion and plans to open multiple new locations. The recent financing from CrowdOut Capital is intended to fund openings in Arlington, VA; Dallas, TX; Ft. Worth, TX; Milwaukee, WI; and several other cities. Punch Bowl Social has chosen flexible debt from CrowdOut over traditional bank loans to support its growth. Punch Bowl Social is a Denver-based pioneer in the eatertainment restaurant category. Founded in 2012 by restaurant entrepreneur Robert Thompson, the concept pairs games such as shuffleboard, ping-pong, bowling, pinball, and skee-ball with a scratch kitchen and craft beverages. The menu is Southern-influenced and seasonally inspired, created by chef Hugh Acheson. The company opened its first location in Denver nearly five years ago and has since expanded to cities including Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, and Minneapolis. With a growth investment from L Catterton’s Growth Fund, Punch Bowl Social plans to double its presence and open new locations in Atlanta, San Diego, Chicago, Dallas, Washington, D.C., and in Denver’s Stapleton community. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Punch Bowl Social is an Austin, Texas-based restaurant, bar, bowling and entertainment concept developed by restaurateur Robert Thompson. The concept combines dining, drinks, bowling and other amenities to attract patrons and drive food and beverage revenues. The approach has already launched locations in Denver, Portland and Austin. Punch Bowl Social received $1.75M in funding from Coulton Creek Capital. Proceeds from the investment will be used to expand nationwide.