• Brit + Co

  Participated · Series B · Jun 2015

  Brit + Co is a San Francisco-based media startup that creates digital content and branded merchandise targeting women. The company operates online content, video tutorials (priced at $20–$50 per class) and a partnership merchandise line with Target. Brit + Co plans to expand its digital content offerings and build more branded merchandise tied to the Target partnership. The company reports estimated reach of 125 million monthly unique visitors across its website and social platforms, with about 70% of users in the U.S. Revenue from paid videos and Target merchandise has moved the business closer to profitability, and management expects to reach profitability within a year or two. The company employs more than 100 people, primarily in its San Francisco office, and maintains a presence in New York. Brit + Co operates a curated lifestyle media site and an e-commerce marketplace aimed at craft- and maker-minded users. The company sells classes and bundled supply kits (it has sold 15,000 classes and kits) and runs an Etsy-style marketplace alongside advertising. Brit + Co reports 12 million monthly unique users, growing threefold year-over-year, and strong social engagement (Pinterest posts averaged ~50,000 repins daily). Today the business is making the majority of its sales from advertising, but management says classes and kits are growing faster and expects those revenues to surpass ad sales next year; the company is not disclosing absolute revenue figures. The company is expanding its native content and brand-matching efforts to create sponsored maker content and revenue shares. Brit + Co also completed its first acquisition, buying Snapguide’s website, app (renamed “Snapguide by Brit + Co”), its network of users, 100,000 DIY guides and the underlying technology; only one Snapguide employee joined with the deal. Brit + Co is a technology-driven media company that combines editorial content, native mobile apps, and e-commerce aimed at DIY and maker audiences. Since its late 2011 launch the company has grown to a staff of 16 with more than 100 editorial contributors and built native apps for iOS, Android, and Windows. It reports rapid audience growth—11x year-over-year—with strong engagement: 50% of monthly uniques visit weekly and 20% visit daily, and 60% of visitors access the site via mobile. Revenue sources include partnerships, advertising, events, subscription commerce, and premium services such as custom domains on Weduary, and the company has been monetizing from day one. Brit + Co emphasizes building technology in-house to support content and user experience. Future plans include further mobile platform development, expanded social community features, and a larger commerce strategy funded by the new round. Brit launched Weduary, a Facebook app that lets tech-savvy couples build attractive, dynamic wedding websites and leverages the Facebook social graph to import photos, invite guests, coordinate registry details and handle RSVPs. The app also lets guests create personal pages from their Facebook profiles and encourages connections through shared interests. Weduary monetizes via premium features — custom URLs are $15 and premium themes are $20 — while a free version is available. Brit raised a $1.25M seed round from a group of angel and institutional backers to support the product. An iPhone version is coming soon, and the company plans to add more themes and more robust social features. Founder Brit Morin says this is the first Brit app and she is exploring additional verticals including Home, Style, Food and Health.

• KLab Global

  Led · Equity · Jul 2013

  KLab is a Japanese company that develops mobile games. The firm announced a $9.3 million funding raise to start a marketing expansion. The capital was provided by two sources: Oak Capital Corp. and Hakuhodo, according to market analyst Serkan Toto. The article frames the funding as intended to support expanded marketing efforts for its mobile titles. The coverage does not disclose operating metrics, valuation, or the specific financial instrument used.

No current team members are available.