Participated · Seed · Jun 2026

Orthogonal is a YC-backed unified API platform where AI agents and developers can discover and pay for best-in-class APIs through a single key, with usage-based pricing where you pay only for what you call. The catalog spans go-to-market, investors, marketing, and recruiting use cases, and providers can list an API once to make it instantly discoverable by every AI agent and developer on the platform, getting paid per request.

Participated · Series A · Feb 2022

Sanzo produces Asian-inspired, clean-label sparkling waters made with real fruit and no added sugar or artificial flavors, with SKUs including Lychee, Calamansi Lime, Alphonso Mango and Yuzu Ginger. Launched in 2019 by Sandro Roco, the brand positions itself to bridge beloved Asian flavors and mainstream clean-label beverages. Sanzo has achieved distribution in 2,000+ strategic retailers and is rolling out all flavors to Whole Foods Market nationwide (500+ doors). The company reported 5x year-over-year growth in both 2020 and 2021 and a >30% repeat purchase rate in direct-to-consumer sales. Future plans highlighted in the articles include accelerating national retail rollout, limited-time collaborative SKUs tied to cultural moments (e.g., a Turning Red Lychee can), and continued strategic brand partnerships to amplify AAPI representation. Sanzo focuses on cultural resonance and targeted partnerships to expand share within the $10+ billion sparkling water category. Sanzo produces Asian-inspired sparkling water in three core flavors—lychee, alphonso mango, and calamansi—made with real fruit and no added sugars or artificial flavors. The brand sells direct-to-consumer, through food & beverage wholesale distributors, and has launched in retail including Whole Foods. Sanzo reported rapid COVID-era growth, citing a 400% increase in revenue and later reporting >600% growth in its DTC channel that has driven over 4x revenue. The company was self-funded at launch and is operated by a sole founder who remains the only full-time employee. Sanzo’s mission is to bridge cultures by introducing authentic Eastern flavors to a broader audience, and it plans additional retail rollouts in the near term while bolstering e-commerce and digital marketing efforts. The business targets the growing sparkling water market and leverages clean-label, Asian-inspired positioning to capture consumers seeking healthier alternatives.

Participated · Equity · Jun 2021

Moonshot Brands acquires and operates Amazon and DTC brands with a boutique approach, preferring to partner with entrepreneurs who continue to run their brands rather than simply buy EBITDA. The company initially focused on mobility and action sports and now manages nine brands, including Magneto Boards. It recently purchased assets from Product Labs, including scooter brand La Scoota and fitness brand WOD Nation. Moonshot says it is positioned to grow to over $100 million in trailing 12 months growth by the end of 2022. The co-founders, CJ Isakow and Allan Fisch, started the company in 2020 and emphasize building long-term brands rather than being labeled a typical aggregator. The new capital is intended in part to purchase assets from other e-commerce aggregators amid early consolidation in the sector. Moonshot Brands buys, launches, and scales Amazon third‑party sellers and direct‑to‑consumer brands on Shopify and WooCommerce, providing growth capital, data, and operational expertise. Since its 2020 founding the company has pursued a founder‑first model, offering seller‑specific partnerships ranging from equity deals to full acquisitions and giving partners equity in Moonshot. The platform focuses on a small number of brands that can become category leaders, supporting them with operations, marketing, supply chain management, and product development. Moonshot reported a $30 million revenue run rate and said it is building a portfolio of digitally native consumer brands. Leadership emphasizes founder-friendly exits and continued involvement by sellers inside Moonshot’s ecosystem. The company plans international expansion to more than a dozen markets.

Participated · Equity · Jun 2021

Moonshot Brands emerged from stealth as a rapidly growing platform that buys, launches, and scales direct-to-consumer and marketplace e-commerce brands. The company partners with successful owner-operators of third-party marketplace businesses and DTC brands. Moonshot provides growth capital and leverages data and deep expertise in operations, supply chain management, marketing, omnichannel distribution, and international expansion. Its mission is to buy, launch, and grow the most loved e-commerce brands of the future. The company is based in Oakland, CA, and announced it has raised $160 million in funding. Moonshot aims to use the capital to support acquisitions, scaling, and international growth.

Participated · Seed · Oct 2018

Pair Eyewear is a direct-to-consumer eyewear company that lets customers swap over 1,000 ‘‘top frame’’ designs to change the look of a single pair of glasses. Glasses start at $60 per pair including prescription lenses, top frames start at $25, and the product is paired with a digital shopping experience. The company says it will have sold over 3 million top frames in the U.S. and Canada and that TikTok accounts for over 25% of its sales, generating millions in revenue. Pair grew revenue 24x between 2020 and 2023 and expects to double year‑over‑year revenue by the end of this year. It recently vertically integrated manufacturing with a 40,000‑square‑foot, highly automated lens lab in California and plans a second facility. Future plans include further investment in automation technology, expansion of the lens lab and product line, omnichannel retail distribution, and international expansion to become a global eyewear company. Pair Eyewear builds magnetic base frames and interchangeable Top Frames that allow wearers to swap styles for as little as $25. The company began with a children’s product and has expanded to a full adult collection after strong adult demand. Between 2020 and 2021 Pair grew revenue 10x and expanded headcount from four people in 2020 to 65 full-time employees, most added in 2021. Pair has secured licensing deals with brands including Marvel, Major League Baseball, Harry Potter, DC Comics and Sesame Street. Its business is described as a razor-blade model that drives recurring purchases as new Top Frames drop and users buy repeatedly. The company plans to use new capital to attract a broader customer base, grow the team and add more celebrity, art and sports brand partnerships. Pair Eyewear sells a two-piece eyewear system: a prescription base frame plus magnetically attaching top frames that can be swapped for different looks. The company releases three new limited-edition top-frame collections each month and has partnerships for branded tops with Marvel, Harry Potter and NBA teams. Pair charges $60 for a base frame and $25 for each additional top frame, accepts HSA/FSA payments, and customers can seek out-of-network vision insurance reimbursement; the product is priced well below the $300 industry average. The startup says it retains strong margins thanks to a unique manufacturing process and rejecting typical industry markups. Since appearing on Shark Tank in March of last year (where it received funding), Pair has seen roughly 30% month-over-month growth. Sixty percent of purchases are now for adults, and the company says the average customer owns five top frames (some own over 90); the new funding will be used to expand the product lineup, particularly more adult options. Pair Eyewear sells affordable, kid-focused eyewear consisting of hand-polished acetate base frames with anti-reflective, shatterproof polycarbonate lenses and interchangeable snap-on top frames. Base frames retail for $95 and top frames for $25, letting kids change color and style affordably. The company positions glasses as a fun accessory rather than a medical device and emphasizes designs "for kids and by kids." It runs a give-back program with EYElliance, donating a pair for every pair sold. Pair offers an at-home try-on using cardboard replicas so parents need not return real frames. Since launch in October 2017, 15% of customers have purchased additional top frames; the company says it will spend much of the new funding on national marketing. Pair Eyewear, founded by Sophia Edelstein and Nathan Kondamuri, launched today offering customizable children’s glasses built from hand‑polished acetate base frames and anti‑reflective, shatterproof polycarbonate lenses. The product is structured as five base frames and 10 top (clip‑on) frames per base at launch, yielding a total of 50 top frames; base frames cost $125 and include one top frame, with extra top frames available for $25. To replicate the at‑home try‑on model popularized by Warby Parker, Pair ships cardboard cutouts of frames and top frames that kids can keep so parents don’t need to return unwanted samples. The company positions itself against a market dominated by Luxottica and highlights high retail markups (around 3x–5x) that can push prices to roughly $400 for low‑end kids’ glasses. Pair also runs a buy‑one, give‑one program through EYElliance focused on vision care for young people. Thus far Pair has raised $125K in seed funding from Creative International Concept and angel investors, supporting its launch and early growth efforts.