Popshop Live Became Essential for LA Boutiques During the Shutdown. Now It’s Got $3M to Grow
Leslie Ignacio
Leslie Ignacio is dot.LA's editorial intern. She is a recent California State University, Northridge graduate and previously worked for El Nuevo Sol, Telemundo and NBC and was named a Chips Quinn Scholar in 2019. As a bilingual journalist, she focuses on covering diversity in news. She's a Los Angeles native who enjoys trips to Disneyland in her free time.
Retail is now live streaming.
Popshop Live, which raised $3 million led by Floodgate and Abstract Ventures, wants users to shop on their phones as if they're browsing through products and interacting with clerks in a store. The live-streaming service takes a new twist on home shopping.
Launched last year by CEO and founder Danielle Li, Popshop Live will use the funds to help build out its audience as the company tries to convince shop owners to set up mini-studios inside their businesses. In all the company has raised $4.5 million.
The idea of the application came to Li back in 2016, after watching hundreds use Snapchat and Periscope to live stream an Obama speech she attended. While online commerce continues to grow, it often lacks that kinetic energy that is found from being around others. And sellers struggle to grow amid a crowded online marketplace.
Popshop Live allows businesses to expand beyond traditional e-commerce engagement, giving customers the chance to be in a store along with thousands of other virtual guests.
Popshop Live Demo Reel
"I think our mission is really to inspire and empower people to expand their identity, experience and connection," she said.
Since the COVID-19 breakout, Li saw a jump in users joining the platform as businesses sought to keep their stores afloat.
Los Angeles boutiques such as Japan LA, Popkiller, 3D Retro, Leanna Lin's Wonderland, Poketo and BellaBar were forced to shut down their physical stores amid the pandemic. Instead, they turned to Popshop Live for support.
"We definitely feel honored that we have an opportunity to become a part of the recovering process for several local stores affected by not only COVID, but also by looting in Los Angeles," said Li.
The application allows shops to share their livestream via their social platforms or to embed it online, while shoppers purchase directly from the stream.
Investors also include Long Journey Ventures, Cyan and Scott Banister, Shrug Capital, Backend Capital and Halogen Ventures. Local Los Angeles investors Watertower Ventures and AET Fund joined in the round.
"Danielle and the Popshop Live team have created the best consumer shopping experience at a time when community and virtual connectedness are needed more than ever," said Ann Miura-Ko, co-founding partner at Floodgate, a seed stage venture capital firm in announcing their support.
Popshop Live is looking beyond brick-and-mortar stores and will host anyone looking to expand their audience from influencers to national retailers. But for now, it's invite only.
"We would like to see Popshop like a platform that people come to have fun, get inspired and connect to their community," said Li.
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Los Angeles is home to around 5,000 startups, the majority of which are in their young, formative years.
Which of those thousands are poised for a breakout in 2021? We asked dozens of L.A.'s top VCs to weigh in. We wanted to know which companies they would have invested in if they could go back and do it all over again.
<p>Yesterday, <a href="https://dot.la/search/?q=%22state+of+play%22" target="_blank">our investors picked their favorite Series-A or later startups,</a> and not surprisingly there was more consensus, with familiar names like PopShop Live and Scopely leading the way. </p><p>But the most lucrative returns come from identifying companies in their infancy, as recent blockbuster IPOs vividly demonstrate. For instance, <a href="https://www.theinformation.com/articles/airbnbs-biggest-ipo-winners" target="_blank">Sequoia's $600,000 seed check to Airbnb in 2009</a> accounted for 70% of its shares in the company and helped it get into competitive later rounds. When the vacation rental service went public last month, Sequoia's stake was worth $4.8 billion.</p><p>What will be the next breakout? The complete list is below and is ranked in random order except for the first three, which stood out by virtue of getting multiple votes: Pipe enables companies with recurring revenues to tap into their deferred cash flows with an instant cash advance. Clash App, Inc., is a TikTok alternative launched by a former employee of the social network in August. And <a href="https://www.x-claim.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">XCLAIM</a> allows bankruptcy claims to be digitally traded.</p>
<p class=""><em>Lead art by Candice Navi.</em></p>
Boiling
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbWVkaWEucmJsLm1zL2ltYWdlP3U9JTJGaW1hZ2VzJTNGcSUzRHRibiUzQUFOZDlHY1EwRjdlRzlxY3JFd1lNVS12T2VTWng1NFd6VFdWUktaMFpyQSUyNnVzcXAlM0RDQVUmaG89aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZlbmNyeXB0ZWQtdGJuMC5nc3RhdGljLmNvbSZzPTEwMDImaD1jOGIyM2Y5YWNhNGNhNDY3NzZhNmUzNTU3MWI2YzAzNjcwOTU1Nzg0ODQxZDdiZGIyZjAxMzUxNjdkN2I5NWY2JnNpemU9OTgweCZjPTE2MDM4MjI5MTgiLCJleHBpcmVzX2F0IjoxNjY1MTY5NTcxfQ.iTVRhSe0UulUxSyMUZ4QA7_0njADdWe3QEJ28-xW6m0/img.jpg" id="a03b9" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="03faa4898896a9ce5be09d51dc104b73" alt="Pipe logo" />Pipe
<p><a href="https://www.pipe.com/" target="_blank">Pipe</a> provides financial services to help cloud service companies tap into their deferred cash flows, allowing them to continue growing without taking on debt or giving up ownership. For subscription-based businesses, this makes it "as if all of your customers converted to annual plans overnight," according to the company.</p><p>Founded by Harry Hurst, Josh Mangel and Zain Allarakhia, the company <a href="https://dot.la/pipe-taps-60-million-seed-extension-2646245409.html" data-linked-post="2646245409" target="_blank">raised $66 million of seed funding earlier this year</a> in a deal led by Craft Ventures and Fin Venture Capital.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5Mzg3Ni9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2NTg2NDI3N30.HLTMa7Z7nCKfQe7R-dKmMt26hCQBzXG2J9EtAaq648k/img.jpg?width=980" id="6a1af" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="d3f1fca2a7f229c7a3c5a8b0f6fb00cc" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="clash logo" />
Clash App Inc.
<p>Created by former Vine-r Brendon McNerney and entrepreneur and marketing expert P.J. Leimgruber, <a href="https://www.clashapp.co/" target="_blank">Clash App</a> is a short form video platform similar to TikTok, but without built-in sound libraries. It's geared toward empowering creators with innovative monetization options and inclusive communities.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbWVkaWEucmJsLm1zL2ltYWdlP3U9JTJGaW1hZ2VzJTNGcSUzRHRibiUzQUFOZDlHY1IxTFExRWJzblJEZTI0NFNtUW40Y2txOERNaE1PQ21kYndMQSUyNnVzcXAlM0RDQVUmaG89aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZlbmNyeXB0ZWQtdGJuMC5nc3RhdGljLmNvbSZzPTM4MCZoPTIxOGVmMjA0ODQwYjE0ZjZlYzNhMTdlOWZlZGFjNzM3NDFkZGRmZjBmZTNmYzU2ZjQwOWQ1ZGZkZmE5Y2JkZGImc2l6ZT05ODB4JmM9MTE4MzE1MDAyOSIsImV4cGlyZXNfYXQiOjE2MjE2MTcwODR9.PsGcdVg3kWIxjAtOw9jaM7S17iPNX90ilN04MEsmxCw/img.jpg" id="9ace7" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="53f00e4a1cd4b49eeda93e7d28342414" alt="xclaim logo" />
XCLAIM
<p><a href="https://www.x-claim.com/" target="_blank">XCLAIM</a> has created an electronic platform where bankruptcy claims that take a notoriously long time to process can be digitally traded. Founded in 2018 by Matthew Sedigh, who has operated in the corporate restructuring field for more than a decade, the company says "rather than wait years for the bankruptcy court process to issue payment distributions, creditors can now access immediate liquidity by selling their claim to interested buyers." Earlier this year, it raised a $4 million seed round led from Luma Launch, First Round Capital and Freestyle Capital.</p>Simmering
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbWVkaWEucmJsLm1zL2ltYWdlP3U9JTJGaW1hZ2VzJTNGcSUzRHRibiUzQUFOZDlHY1JlR3QzLWlHSmFtYVJnLXNwSXVYcDc5N0xOdnpTYWhYYVloQSUyNnVzcXAlM0RDQVUmaG89aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZlbmNyeXB0ZWQtdGJuMC5nc3RhdGljLmNvbSZzPTYwNiZoPWU3NzNhYTkwODZkNmE4OWQwMWU0ZjZkODk0ODU1ZWEyZDIzMmU3YTYyNzJjYTU3Mzk3MmI0NmQ0NjAxMDY3YzMmc2l6ZT05ODB4JmM9MjQ3NDg5MDE0MiIsImV4cGlyZXNfYXQiOjE2NzAzMzU0NjB9.iqCUfvVUI22AGAz-QYPiS7XFb26sw3mGaU8seorLqxQ/img.jpg" id="44f84" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="cbdc9b0cdf21d3873eef2a40647ae810" alt="Freck Beauty logo" />Freck Beauty
<p><a href="https://freckbeauty.com/" target="_blank">Freck Beauty</a> manufactures beauty products intended to make the user feel seen. Remi Brixton, the company's chief executive officer, founded the startup in 2015 when she was in search of a freckle makeup product. When she couldn't find one, she launched her own, the FRECK OG. The East Los Angeles-based company raised an undisclosed amount of seed funding in a deal led by KarpReilly and Stage 1 Fund earlier this year.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbWVkaWEucmJsLm1zL2ltYWdlP3U9JTJGaW1hZ2VzJTNGcSUzRHRibiUzQUFOZDlHY1RyZDZmWGZuWjFEZXFhVk96bjl0OHJVSGxNWWJidkhpb2NFQSUyNnVzcXAlM0RDQVUmaG89aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZlbmNyeXB0ZWQtdGJuMC5nc3RhdGljLmNvbSZzPTI5NiZoPTcyMDkzNGM4YzZkMzcyMzgzOWE3NTczNmVkMDkwNzc5ZDBkNTUzNzNmY2NkNzk5ZjE4M2I1Y2RhNWQ2Mzg1Mjkmc2l6ZT05ODB4JmM9MjU0NTUxOTYxNSIsImV4cGlyZXNfYXQiOjE2MzkyMzk5MjV9.4OYosv5rWnk6Qh7LAKGGM4kh7J-9-P_2XLlHqO_Fjms/img.jpg" id="556b7" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="2240a27f660ed4c9dce54f0b5891466e" alt="The Skills logo" />
The Skills
<p><a href="https://www.theskills.com/" target="_blank">The Skills</a> wants to be the <a href="https://dot.la/the-skills-2649267338.html" target="_self">master class on sports </a>and life. The Los Angeles-based startup launched two months ago and offers classes from gold medal Olympians — including swimmer Michael Phelps and volleyball player Kerri Walsh Jennings — and Grand Slam tennis Champion Maria Sharapova. In December, it closed a $5 million seed round backed by Boston-based Will Ventures, Global Founders Capital, 8VC, Maveron, Hack VC and Correlation VC.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://dot.la/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5NDE1Ni9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2ODk2NjQ2MX0.L0qrps-ewV8jpdJrkQ8k3niKRQ7rKsR_Yizn2O1Myws/image.png?width=600&coordinates=24%2C28%2C24%2C28&height=600" id="baee1" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="e2b71929b16c093d1a409a5a174b4b8a" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="mapped logo" />
Mapped
<p>Founded by Shaun Cooley, former chief technology officer of Cisco's Internet-of-Things (IoT) and Industries division, <a href="https://www.mapped.com/" target="_blank">Mapped</a> provides IoT services in El Segundo.</p><p>The company raised $3 million of seed funding in a deal led by Greycroft earlier this year, putting its pre-money valuation at $9 million. </p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5NDE1Ny9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzNjk1NDE5NH0.6QCj5_BHRuIHmW7AigWat3hhCDLp-22tgZibA0GWID4/img.png?width=980" id="50bf4" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="7e59defd6b014dc28181a5567b3967db" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="dataplor logo" />
DataPlor
<p>Created in 2016 by Geoffrey Michener, <a href="https://www.dataplor.com/" target="_blank">Dataplor</a> indexes micro-businesses in Mexico (and will soon be expanding to other countries in Central and South America) and sells the data to larger companies.The company relies on contractors in those countries to collect the information from local businesses. It raised $4 million from ff Venture Capital, Quest Venture Partners and Space Capital earlier this year and expects to use it to expand into more Latin American countries. </p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5NDE2MS9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxOTM2MTE0OH0.aM3pIjwt9sMZwLktYTEGBvWAI1IhsdgROpDdtRce5uQ/img.png?width=980" id="dece8" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="500ba3fe5e101b050db785ab2a111ca8" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Grow Credit logo" />
Grow Credit
<p>Launched by serial entrepreneur <a href="https://joebayen.medium.com/a-black-founders-guide-to-raising-a-2m-institutional-seed-round-a8687f95087f" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Joe Bayen</a>, <a href="https://growcredit.com/" target="_blank">Grow Credit</a> helps customers improve their credit score by providing credit for subscription services like Netflix and Spotify. Their MasterCard can help consumers with thin or damaged credit scores and the small line of credit can be upgraded for a fee. The company closed a $2 million seed round earlier this year with participation from Mucker Labs.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5NDI0MC9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0MzA3NzI1MX0.5MINHvBD1qwM7RXJdqGUZd4KhSXm39Br23rO75Gr-zc/img.png?width=980" id="c44de" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c04cb12c9556f173fd8d35cbc1479bcc" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="outer logo" />
Outer
<p>The two-year-old Santa Monica-based company has seen business boom during the pandemic as retail stores shut down and online orders surged. The direct-to-consumer outdoor furniture brand <a href="https://dot.la/outer-furniture-raise-2646187491.html" data-linked-post="2646187491" target="_blank">uses backyards as showrooms</a> and <a href="https://dot.la/how-outer-aims-to-disrupt-the-outdoor-furniture-industry-2647872107.html" data-linked-post="2647872107" target="_blank">raised $4.3 million in a seed round</a> earlier this year led by Mucker Capital. Founded by Jake Liu and Terry Lin, a former designer at Pottery Barn, <a href="https://liveouter.com/" target="_blank">Outer</a> aims to appeal to Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn shoppers. </p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5NDIzOS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyMDc3OTMxNX0.eFi3LlmuNi2TbKLS1SnGNyelWtnATDyv5OvCiRbmogU/img.jpg?width=980" id="f9a65" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="4af9a17c01b1bbfe762d9612f76f56b7" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
WhatNot
<p>A livestreaming reseller of collectibles like FunkoPop vinyl figurines, Pokémon cards and sports cards, <a href="https://www.whatnot.com/" target="_blank">WhatNot</a> taps into a growing retail trend and promises that the collectibles are verified, much like sneaker reseller GOAT. </p><p>The startup secured $4 million in seed funding this month from Scribble Ventures, Wonder Ventures, Operator Partners, Y Combinator, Liquid 2 Ventures, Twenty Two Ventures and other investors. The company plans to use the funds to expand into video games, comics books, designer toys and vintage fashion.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://dot.la/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5NDE2OS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzMzk4MzQ4M30.fCpK6QDUqfs4OdnxuqkH3U0J8zl7wSMQoYS_xShYKb4/image.jpg?width=600&coordinates=0%2C106%2C0%2C106&height=600" id="82934" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="b0458504cabec7c014cd35bd5a4baec5" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
Fourthwall
<p><a href="https://fourthwall.com/" target="_blank">Fourthwall</a> is the developer of an internet platform that helps content creators launch fully-branded websites focused on interacting with fans. Their website tag phrase is "Make a living doing what you love," which is complemented by their model, which provides creators 100% ownership of their website and brand.</p><p>Founded by Walker Williams and Will Baumann, the company has raised $4 million to date, from investors Defy Partners, Lightspeed Venture Partners and Initialized Capital Management.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5NDE5MC9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0ODAxMTMwMn0._fMorCcyG1j4erjC10bcWX89kYPwVQjH2V-ZRzAeLYc/img.png?width=980" id="286ad" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="bb54203b45b981c87bda3e9c2420c918" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="shop latinx logo" />
Shop LatinX
<p><a href="https://shoplatinx.com/" target="_blank">Shop LatinX</a> calls itself the "leading beauty, fashion, and lifestyle ecommerce designed by and made for Latinas." The brainchild of two Los-Angeles-based Latinas, Brittany Chavez and Raquel Garcia <a href="https://dot.la/techstars-la-2646304264.html" data-linked-post="2646304264" target="_blank">launched their website</a> before Black Friday in 2016. It features more than 200 brands.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5NDI0NC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2MTAzNDExN30.lbK6TnPm_7BWMy2XWgxEDkhp1apNI6Ao-cp80SYhTYM/img.jpg?width=980" id="cfc65" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="4d1871e800ce552ae99be8476f6f7c68" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="First Resonance logo" />
First Resonance
<p>Founded by former SpaceX software engineer Karan Talati and Neal Sarraf, <a href="https://www.firstresonance.io/" target="_blank">First Resonance</a> promises to ease the workflow for manufactures with software intended to provide greater visibility into production and test product development lifecycle. The company raised $1.75 million of seed funding last year from Wavemaker Partners, Stage Venture Partners and PLG Ventures, among clothes.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5NDE3MS9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2OTE1OTE2MX0.NfsJ5BmvRDZE1oQJqAdSfsJGdVcl06stTFdrhaHw0Dg/img.png?width=980" id="3124d" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c2265860af61dafbc8191e3e8b0cfaa1" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="vurbl logo" />
Vurbl
<p><a href="https://vurbl.com/" target="_blank">Vurbl</a> offers curated, one-stop-shop of what it calls the best audio on the internet, which can include podcasts but also goes well beyond that from religious sermons to court arguments. The new platform founded by CEO Audra Gold is being built with the <a href="https://dot.la/vurbl-raises-1-3-million-to-build-the-youtube-of-audio-2647713757.html" target="_self">$1.3 million pre-seed round Vurbl closed in September</a> led by AlphaEdison with participation from Halogen Ventures and Ten13.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbWVkaWEucmJsLm1zL2ltYWdlP3U9JTJGaW1hZ2VzJTNGcSUzRHRibiUzQUFOZDlHY1FTbUMwSl9YVFk5ZzNZTEZ3TkFvbmEzU29Fejdia3pfcmRtdyUyNnVzcXAlM0RDQVUmaG89aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZlbmNyeXB0ZWQtdGJuMC5nc3RhdGljLmNvbSZzPTk1MCZoPWU0OWIzMTU4ZDYyZGZkNGU1OTZkMTY4NmY5MWJhYjg4MzU2ZDQ2MzAyMWFhZGQzNTU4NDFmYWY3ZTYxYjI3ZjQmc2l6ZT05ODB4JmM9MTAzMDQzOTAyNSIsImV4cGlyZXNfYXQiOjE2MjU0ODQ5MDl9.yYwWFf9VU--hQfrlR3BMgcai4P_AHuZ_WdWk-Hz9Loc/img.jpg" id="7e4e0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a8ce52d1d8e8e92dae1c2d2075dc745c" alt="pocketwatch logo" />
PocketWatch
<p>Former Disney executive Chris Williams founded <a href="https://pocket.watch/" target="_blank">the studio</a> that produces family-focused content from YouTube stars. This year it launched clock.work, an advertising agency designed to help major brands reach kids. Investors include Viacom, Greycroft, Third Wave Digital and United Talent Agency, along with strategic angels including Robert Downey Jr. and Jon Landau.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5NDE4OS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyNjcyMDA3NX0.bsOhi9nfSQjyqMSfSR8iqVXavorm4p-TAgCaWF7Dhds/img.jpg?width=980" id="2421c" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="61065e55cb050c8ec8774ca4d7cad72e" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="pocketlist logo" />
PocketList
<p><a href="https://pocketlist.app/" target="_blank">The app</a> allows renters to see and share apartments that will soon be available before they're listed — reducing the time properties sit vacant and potentially heating up competition among apartment hunters. It launched <a href="https://dot.la/renter-app-2646416605.html" data-linked-post="2646416605" target="_blank">earlier this year</a>. The company has $2.8 million in seed funding led by David Sacks' Craft Ventures along with Abstract VC, Wonder Ventures and angel investor Spencer Rascoff, co-founder of Zillow and dot.LA.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5NDE4MC9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzMDQ3MTMzMX0.iQG6DpQIF0ZE5pa3L3qO5mqnvBmq0O0MiD4RDFx3Jb0/img.png?width=980" id="c91d1" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a4f28d182708090acd75232f28d3d095" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Quilt logo" />
Quilt
<p>The audio-based social platform promises to be the spot for "live, supportive, feel good conversations—just like hopping on the phone with a friend when you need it most." It lets people start a conversation around any topic or join by listening. <a href="https://www.beta.wearequilt.com/" target="_blank">Quilt</a> raised an undisclosed amount of venture funding from Freestyle Capital in 2019.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5NDI0Ni9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2NTY4MzA0M30.EHbUY8MWp-MBJgWuPsmZLqQfB-xstR33hKGZjPnvmaQ/img.png?width=980" id="885f5" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="884a3173eda4507605b2138b1fdfe9d3" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="tonebase logo" />
Tonebase
<p>Founded by Abhi Nayar, Chris Garwood and Igor Licthmann, <a href="https://www.tonebase.co/" target="_blank">Tonebase</a> provides high-level music education online. Yale School of Music alumnus Garwood and Lichtman<a href="https://news.yale.edu/2018/01/22/first-person-how-we-are-bringing-high-level-music-education-masses" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> told their alma mater that it built with the idea </a>that it was "a way for people everywhere to learn from the very best musicians around the world — individuals who, due to their busy performing and teaching careers, are traditionally accessible to only a select few." The company has raised an undisclosed amount from Launch fund, e.ventures and other undisclosed last May. </p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://dot.la/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5NDE4NS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0NzE1ODQ3NH0.1P0e8iu5KI73fOSk-5KX3kPLYhahmq-Fzy4si2zpmno/image.jpg?width=600&coordinates=310%2C0%2C310%2C0&height=600" id="7f079" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="aa1ca8d066edae39def7ef46bde55be3" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Second Spectrum logo" />
Second Spectrum
<p>Launched in 2013 by Jeff Su, Yu-Han Chang and Rajiv Maheswaran, <a href="https://www.secondspectrum.com/index.html" target="_blank">Second Spectrum</a> already has deals with the NBA and English Premier League. This year it scored another one with Major League Soccer to use its optical tracking system to evaluate and analyze performance. </p><p>Second Spectrum puts their tracking cameras inside the stadium. Machine learning and AI-powered analytics provide detailed data that helps coaches and others better understand the game from player speed and deceleration to shot velocity in near real time. That technology can also be used on broadcast platforms to give fans more insight. The company raised about $20 million backed by CAA Ventures, Raine Ventures and The Chernin Group in 2018.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5NDE4Ny9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1OTE1ODU3Mn0.Jz6GnIH2lXx_9b86HKnJzqA14UaP1TqebuTVxONzyYM/img.png?width=980" id="b8a90" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="b60d9df69c73b6c740ee01b622ad924a" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Toucan logo" />
Toucan
<p>Founded by CEO Taylor Nieman, Shaun Merritt and Brandon Dietz, <a href="https://dot.la/slingshot-aerospace-ceo-2646797521.html" data-linked-post="2646797521" target="_blank">Toucan</a> is a Chrome browser extension that lets people learn a new language. It scans websites you visit and translates some words into the language you want to learn. The Santa Monica-based company most recently raised a $3 million round backed by GSV Ventures, Amplifyher Ventures, and Wonder Ventures, among others. </p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5NDE2NS9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzMTcxMzUzOX0.oukFWLBcPwPYCXSB7nvw9XZTlCITMpJjD5eCV1389w0/img.png?width=980" id="7c5bb" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a5870682bd8e3990a8cfeaf036357c02" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Serve Automation logo" />
Serve Automation
<p>Created by former SpaceX engineers, <a href="https://serveautomation.com/" target="_blank">Serve Automation</a> aims to change the way foods get delivered. It has secured $7 million in a seed round and is operating in stealth mode. </p>From Your Site Articles
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Despite — or in many cases because of — the raging pandemic, 2020 was a great year for many tech startups. It turned out to be an ideal time to be in the video game business, developing a streaming ecommerce platform for Gen Z, or helping restaurants with their online ordering.
But which companies in Southern California had the best year? That is highly subjective of course. But in an attempt to highlight who's hot, we asked dozens of the region's top VCs to weigh in.
We wanted to know what companies they wish they would have invested in if they could go back and do it all over again.
<p>Startups were ranked by how many votes each received. In the case of a tie, companies were listed in order of capital raised. The list illustrates how rapidly things move in startup land. One of the hottest startups had not even started when 2020 began. A number doubled or even 16x'd their valuation in the span of a few short months. </p><p>To divvy things up, we delineated between companies that have raised Series A funding or later and younger pre-seed or seed startups.</p><p>Not surprisingly, many of the hottest companies have been big beneficiaries of the stay-at-home economy.</p><p>PopShop Live, a red-hot QVC for Gen Z headquartered out of a WeWork on San Vicente Boulevard, got the most votes. Interestingly, the streaming ecommerce platform barely made it onto the Series A list because it raised its Series A only last month. Top Sand Hill Road firms Andreessen Horowitz and Lightspeed Venture Partners <a href="https://www.theinformation.com/articles/benchmark-wins-deal-for-live-shopping-app-popshop-at-100-million-valuation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">reportedly competed ferociously for who would lead the round</a> but lost out to Benchmark, which was an early investor in eBay and Uber. The round valued PopShop Live at $100 million, way up from the $6 million valuation it <a href="https://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2020/07/08/popshop-live-raises-3m-for-live-streaming-app.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">raised at only five months prior. </a></p><p>Scopely, now <a href="https://dot.la/doubling-valuation-scopely-is-now-one-of-the-top-la-tech-startups-2648525465.html" target="_self">one of the most valuable tech companies in Los Angeles,</a> was also a top vote getter.</p><p>The Culver City mobile gaming unicorn <a href="https://dot.la/doubling-valuation-scopely-is-now-one-of-the-top-la-tech-startups-2648525465.html" target="_self">raised $340 million in Series E funding in October</a> at a $3.3 billion valuation, which nearly doubled the company's $1.7 billion post-money valuation from March. It is no coincidence that that was the same month stay-at-home orders began as Scopely has benefited from bored consumers staying on their couch and playing ScrabbleGo or Marvel Strike Force. </p><p>The company's success is especially welcome news to seed investors Greycroft, The Chernin Group and TenOneTen ventures, who got in at a $40 million post valuation in 2012. Upfront Ventures, BAM Ventures and M13 joined the 2018 Series C at a $710 post-money valuation.</p><p>Softbank-backed Ordermark, which flew more under the radar, also topped the list. The company's online ordering platform became a necessity for restaurants forced to close their dining rooms during the pandemic and raised $120 million in Series C funding in October.</p><p>On the seed side, two very different startups stood out. There was Pipe, which enables companies with recurring revenues to tap into their deferred cash flows with an instant cash advance, and Clash App, Inc., a TikTok alternative launched by a former employee of the social network in August.</p><p><span></span>We will have the list of Southern California's top seed startups out tomorrow.</p>
<p class=""><em>Lead art by Candice Navi.</em></p>
Hottest
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5MzIyNS9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1OTQ3MjQ2OH0.JYCNMjYvosYa5SI7701CH_jMFbeFdMcRCChXt442cq0/img.png?width=980" id="4a086" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="f2f18f0bc4400a388e43736c560ff87f" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="PopShop Live logo" />PopShop Live ($100 million)
<p>The live-streaming shopping channel created by Danielle Lin reportedly found itself in the middle of a <a href="https://www.theinformation.com/articles/benchmark-wins-deal-for-live-shopping-app-popshop-at-100-million-valuation" target="_blank">venture capital bidding war this year</a>. Benchmark eventually won out leading a Series A round, vaulting the app at a $100 million valuation. The Los Angeles-based platform has been likened to QVC for Gen Z and <a href="https://dot.la/popshop-live-2646369816.html" target="_self">it's part of a new wave of ecommerce</a> that has found broader appeal during the pandemic. Google, Amazon and YouTube have launched live shopping features and other venture-backed startups like Los Angeles-based NTWRK have popped up.</p>Boiling
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5MzIyOC9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2MzI5MjYwMn0.h7Nq7GiwXTcg_7Io5WEXblFX0rWQHxn69RzluTh7n_Q/img.png?width=980" id="44eea" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="d02c4cad650c987721ff91ee939a5bf7" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Scopely logo" />Scopely ($3.3 billion)
<p>One of the most valuable Southern California tech startups with <a href="https://dot.la/doubling-valuation-scopely-is-now-one-of-the-top-la-tech-startups-2648525465.html" target="_self">a $3.3 billion valuation</a>, the Culver City mobile game unicorn has benefitted from a booming gaming market that has flourished in this stay-at-home economy. Scopely offers free mobile games and its roster includes "Marvel Strike Force," "Star Trek Fleet Command" and "Yahtzee with Buddies." In October the company raised a $340 million Series E round backed by Wellington Management, NewView Capital and TSG Consumer Partners, among others fueling speculation that it was on its road to an IPO. Co-CEO Walter Driver <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-10-28/scopely-raises-340-million-in-push-to-be-a-mobile-gaming-giant?utm_source=google&utm_medium=bd&cmpId=google&sref=4Kf8RwDw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">has said</a> that he doesn't have immediate plans to go public. </p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5MzIzNC9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyMDQ4NTgyMn0.caggOCkGNRp4GE2mV_BvBsOt-3eTs6wLqCHAXmK9IpQ/img.png?width=980" id="3dbf5" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="32c857792f8d2b98b3afefa5790b7d45" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
Ordermark ($70 million)
<p>The coronavirus has forced the closure of many dining rooms, making Ordermark all the more sought after by restaurants needing a way to handle online orders. Co-founder and CEO Alex Canter started the business in 2017, which recently rang in more than <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/aliciakelso/2020/12/09/how-ordermarks-latest-funding-haul-could-help-independent-restaurants-survive-the-pandemic/?sh=443a72644b7d" target="_blank">$1 billion in sales</a>. Ordermark secured $120 million in Series C funding by Softbank Vision Fund 2 in October that it will use to bring more restaurants online. The company's Nextbite, a virtual restaurant business that allows kitchens to add delivery-only brands such as HotBox from rapper Wiz Khalifa to their existing space through Ordermark, is also gaining traction. </p>Simmering
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5MzMxNi9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1NjM4MjQ5Mn0.XSHQfru9tTpdeBqd_ecb--8DiZg_vdyOtF9ZV9zAG78/img.png?width=980" id="f1665" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="ccc0b78dd8ae8cda9bf95979e83506fd" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />Cameo ($300 million)
<p>Cameo, which launched three years ago, had its breakout year in 2020 as C-list celebrities like Brian Baumgartner <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/larryfitzmaurice/kevin-office-highest-earning-cameo" target="_blank">banked over a million dollars</a> from creating customized videos for fans. In the sincerest form of flattery, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-15/facebook-building-tool-to-let-fans-pay-celebrities-for-face-time" target="_blank">Facebook is reportedly launching a feature that sounds a lot like Cameo. </a> Even though the company is still technically headquartered in Chicago, we included Cameo because CEO Steven Galanis and much of the senior team moved to L.A. during the pandemic and say they plan to continue running the company from here for the foreseeable future.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5MzQyMS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0MzIyNTA2MH0.Q7liPP3eMIINmacHCWZDp3P2xJjIx19nAJL3r0PTzV0/img.jpg?width=980" id="93955" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="434dc887e08ba641d20ff886ff63fcc1" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
Mothership ($64 million)
<p>Co-founded by CEO Aaron Peck, Mothership provides freight forwarding services intended to streamline the shipping experience. The company's tracking technologies connect shippers with nearby truck drivers to speed up the delivery process. It raised $16 million in Series A venture funding last year, driving the platform to a $48 million pre-money valuation.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5MzUxNS9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1MDM4ODMxNH0.JhY8gLSI7YWbw_8vxTM3IQOf8NZELdrh8bWdGG8mB_U/img.png?width=980" id="1fbcd" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a8d5aef9e041c3700337626ee2c76f7a" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
Nacelle ($6.7 million)
<p>Founded in 2019, Nacelle's ecommerce platform helps retailers improve conversion rates and decrease loading speeds for their sites. The software integrates with Shopify and other services, offering payment platforms and analytics integration, among dozens of services. Nacelle raised about $4.8 million earlier this year with angel investors that included Shopify's Jamie Sutton, Klaviyo CEO Andrew Bialecki and Attentive CEO Brian Long. </p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5MzUxOC9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxMjQzNzY4NH0.zm2mva9fCGhqXuHoccScAn530juKqwRsCWrwwTr0i_M/img.png?width=980" id="40a75" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a75fc932a261d3eaf7302b99b52a192b" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
Boulevard ($30 million)
<p>Matt Danna and Sean Stavropoulos <a href="https://dot.la/boulevard-app-2649021308.html#:~:text=Their%20four%2Dyear%20old%20salon,to%20digitize%20their%20appointment%20books." target="_self">came up with Boulevard when an impatient Stavropoulos was frustrated</a> wasting hours to book a hair appointment. Their four-year-old salon booking and payment service is now used by some of Los Angeles' best-known hairdressers. Last month, the two secured a $27 million Series B round co-led by Index Ventures and Toba Capital. Other investors include VMG Partners, Bonfire Ventures, Ludlow Ventures and BoxGroup.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5MzUyNy9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2NTQwOTM5NH0.ccTFYR5uzxflJ9M_IPQdCkvQD3DlHSWfrWeqsWQKw-U/img.jpg?width=980" id="eedcc" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="21a26c482b5299dee4186797f38b3815" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="CloudKitchens" />
CloudKitchens ($5.3 billion)
<p>Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick CloudKitchens rents out commissary space to prepare food for delivery. And as the pandemic has fueled at-home delivery, <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/uber-founder-turns-real-estate-mogul-for-ghost-kitchen-startup-11603186200" target="_blank">the company has been gobbling up real estate</a>. The commissaries operate akin to WeWork for the culinary world and allow drivers to easily park and pick-up orders as the delivery market has soared during pandemic. Last year, it raised $400 million from Saudi Arabia's colossal sovereign wealth fund. </p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5MzYwMy9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1NDI3MjkyNX0.l7SX-f7x7WXYLSJxOFh9IBYPQ9UHyAGYlLwm-VqcSEM/img.jpg?width=980" id="28ddc" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="643a9b510e5eab16ebdf2169ab66b44d" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
GOAT ($1.5 billion)
<p>Founded by college buddies five years ago, GOAT tapped into the massive sneaker resale market with a platform that "authenticates" shoes. The Culver City-based company has since <a href="https://dot.la/goat-group-la-2647074186/goat-uses-nba-playoffs-to-launch-brand-campaign" target="_self">expanded into apparel and accessories</a> and states that it has 20 million members. Last year, Foot Locker sunk a $100 million minority investment into 1661 Inc., better known as Goat. And this fall it landed another $<a href="https://dot.la/sneaker-reseller-goats-100m-raise-ptrendsetter-in-a-casual-era-of-ecommerce-2647774644.html" target="_self">100 million Series E</a> round bankrolled by Dan Sundeheim's D1 Capital Partners. </p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5MzYwNi9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzMTk1OTc5Nn0.6Y7vMFyH1FwClW-QNJ6sUGzhq1Q9IuNP9-4-koT1LqA/img.png?width=980" id="5afc4" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="59830cb360eabf85fffe19a6a0c4af87" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Savage X Fenty logo" />
Savage X Fenty
<p>The lingerie company co-founded by pop singer Rihanna in 2018 is noted for its inclusivity of body shapes and sizes. It has raised over $70 million, but <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/14/business/dealbook/roblox-tech-ipos.html" target="_blank">The New York Times' DealBook newsletter recently reported</a> that it's been on the hunt for $100 million in funds to expand into active wear. The company generates about $150 million in revenue, but is not yet profitable, according to the report. It became <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rihanna-savage-x-fenty-accused-of-deceptive-marketing-2020-2" target="_blank">the focus of a consumer watchdog investigation</a> after being accused of "deceptive marketing" for a monthly membership program.</p>Warming Up
<img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5MzYwOS9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY3MzQ1MzE4OX0.fS5XtGx4M-tqWecrth6NCHawGSg2aSkb-yR-cY3wbtU/img.png?width=980" id="c6334" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="aa7476f8a6216fed6b372d8a59876a6b" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />FabFitFun ($930 million)
<p>The lifestyle company provides customized personal subscription box services every three months with full size products. Started in 2010 by Daniel Broukhim, Michael Broukhim, Sam Teller and Katie Rosen Kitchens, it now boasts more than one million members. Last year, the company raised $80 million in a Series A round led by Kleiner Perkins last year and <a href="https://labusinessjournal.com/news/2020/oct/05/fast-growing-etailer-fabfitfun-possible-ipo/" target="_blank">appears to be preparing for an eventual IPO</a> as it slims down costs and refocuses on its <a href="https://dot.la/fabfitfun-layoffs-refocus-2645321060.html" target="_self">high value </a>products.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbWVkaWEucmJsLm1zL2ltYWdlP3U9JTJGaW1hZ2VzJTNGcSUzRHRibiUzQUFOZDlHY1NIWXNBeFVWZ1J6a2VJVDZzWE5xU0tPVWg1Ri1qU2V0ZnV1dyUyNnVzcXAlM0RDQVUmaG89aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZlbmNyeXB0ZWQtdGJuMC5nc3RhdGljLmNvbSZzPTE4OSZoPWMyM2U5ZGI3MmI2OWVlYWE1ZGNjMDIzNTZmYjgwZGI3NTkxNWIwZDdhOGFhNTk1YzQzYzRhMzYzNjIzZmEzZGQmc2l6ZT05ODB4JmM9Mjg2MzQwMTM1NCIsImV4cGlyZXNfYXQiOjE2Mzg2MDA1NjR9.qWy95wwhg8i2C_ZX-ba2HEivjNkIw8hNzNcMCrNBqfw/img.jpg" id="acba9" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="fc5d20fa9685e883e71b09dc07ace838" alt="Dave app logo" />
Dave ($1 billion)
<p>Launched in 2016, the finance management tool helps consumers to avoid overdrafts, provides paycheck advances and assists in budgeting. Last year, it began to roll out a digital bank account that was so popular that two million users signed up for a spot on the waitlist. The company, run by co-founder Jason Wilk, has raised $186 million in venture capital and counts billionaire Mark Cuban as an early investor and board member. Other backers include Playa Vista-based Chernin Group.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbWVkaWEucmJsLm1zL2ltYWdlP3U9JTJGaW1hZ2VzJTNGcSUzRHRibiUzQUFOZDlHY1FPWGJReDlKdmF3b0hXc096dERXRkpVeTRERW5qalVITElidyUyNnVzcXAlM0RDQVUmaG89aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZlbmNyeXB0ZWQtdGJuMC5nc3RhdGljLmNvbSZzPTcwMSZoPWM5MGI4NjJjMTM0NTExYjcwN2Y2ZTg0NDAzMjNmNGYzNzUyOGIwNTM0N2IzZTc2MmExNzUwYmZmZmRjZDczYjEmc2l6ZT05ODB4JmM9NDAzMDk2MjAwMCIsImV4cGlyZXNfYXQiOjE2NzAxMDk3MjR9.IFhgk0btjnI-GbHb_4Dh9bBcK999VMoWweZCnaGGLZ8/img.jpg" id="22354" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="76fa7d61ae8f1057d110501623f42f54" />
Sure ($59 million)
<p>SURE offers multiple technology products to major insurance brands — its platform can host everything from renter's insurance to covering baggage, so customers never have to leave an agency's website. It also offers its platform to ecommerce marketplaces, embedding third-party insurance protections for customers to purchase all on the same webpage. Founded in 2014, the Santa Monica-based startup last raised an $8 million Series A round led by IA Capital in 2017.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5MzY5MS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxMTM4NTU3OH0.wH3xo9sjTCMFyvH5bdyMHuNfcTA5Oti0SJ09dXK0dRQ/img.jpg?width=980" id="8e538" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="323b792ef8f96700b01d758590b4cc27" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
Zest AI ($90 million)
<p>Founded in 2009 by former Google CIO Douglas Merrill and ex-Sears executive Shawn Budde, Zest AI provides AI-powered credit underwriting. It helps banks and other lenders identify borrowers looking beyond traditional credit scores. It claims to improve approval rates while decreasing chargeoffs. The company uses models that aim to make the lending more transparent and less biased. This fall the company raised $15 million from Insight Partners, MicroVentures and other undisclosed investors, putting its pre-money valuation at $75 million, according to PItchbook.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5MzY5Mi9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyMzQ3MDk0N30.p4LJPQDZWOPrPH4jbEg19n-3ez5Ryle5LW1m-x59a0Y/img.png?width=980" id="5a9ee" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="d28995a5bd865b3e5de61f2834d42da2" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
PlayVS
<p>Santa Monica-based PlayVS provides the technological and organizational <a href="https://dot.la/playvs-high-school-esports-2647048099.html" target="_self">infrastructure for high school esports leagues</a>. The pandemic has helped the company further raise its profile as traditional sports teams have been benched. Founded in early 2018, PlayVS employs 46 people and has raised over $100 million. In addition to partnering with key educational institutions, it also has partnerships with major game publishers such as Riot and Epic Games.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5MzY5NC9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2ODI4NTgyN30.bZeKd8Z_en55nxL_6LdzNaL1FNUT01e5h2Q1SO-_im4/img.png?width=980" id="f2c6d" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="d6c15a5a5ff803dd20846e5ce2d40c6b" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
Tapcart ($40 million)
<p>A SaaS platform helps Shopify brands create mobile shopping apps. The marketing software saw shopping activity jump 50% <a href="https://dot.la/tapcart-mobile-retail-platform-2646056623.html" target="_self">over 90 days</a> as the pandemic walloped traditional retailers. Founded by Eric Netsch and Sina Mobasser, the company raised a $10 million Series A round led by SignalFire, bringing the total raise to $15 million.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5MzY5NS9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0NzAwNTE2NH0.UmVYzWRXxa5Hi_j3bszZdQsN-cW6sQu6vBj4y2qxz1E/img.png?width=980" id="9c503" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c8ec5c4ea039f60cbb66f7b9241f6697" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
Papaya ($31.8 million)
<p>Papaya lets customers pay any bill from their mobile devices just by taking a picture of it. The mobile app touts the app's ease-of-use as a way to cut down on inbound bill calls and increase customer payments. Founded by Patrick Kann and Jason Metzler, the company has raised $25 million, most recently a S10 million round of convertible debt financing from Fika Ventures, Idealab and F-Prime Capital Partners.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5MzY5OC9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyNTYyMTc2Mn0.8lwp3rJYqkee108lZxymVA0Z0FppunMPnCU7prsw8xA/img.png?width=980" id="745c0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="2ea3003764946798b78c5cc4399b6c75" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
Floqast ($250 million)
<p>FloQast is a management software that integrates enterprise resource planning software with checklists and Excel to manage bookkeeping. The cloud-based software company claims its system helps close the books up to three days faster. It is used by accounting departments at Lyft, Twilio, Zoom and The Golden State Warriors. In January, it raised $40 million in Series C funding led by Norwest Venture Partners to bring the total raise to $92.8 million.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5MzY5OS9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzMzg4NTI5M30.WUAoRXYSNkJmtqYs1HucZ0lX-koAeXYj5I0oRrWsibk/img.png?width=980" id="36c62" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="65747a7b1adb7ff183c225194acf1ae6" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
Brainbase ($26.5 million)
<p>The company's rights management platform expedites licensing payments and tracks partnership and sponsorship agreements. It counts BuzzFeed, the Vincent Van Gogh Museum and Sanrio (of Hello Kitty and friends fame) among its clients. In May <a href="https://dot.la/headspace-brainbase-2647426309/rights-management-platform-brainbase-beefs-up-c-suite-following-8m-raise" target="_self">it announced $8 million in Series A financing </a>led by Bessemer Venture Partners and Nosara Capital, bringing the total raised to $12 million.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5Mzc4NC9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY3MzY1NTY2NH0.id3F2ONeIMzdb1wPYc2Cae4gUZ2I6zas4DtLgEhMNA8/img.png?width=980" id="3405b" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="7f9c7de6dd3ebab0fcfb54ed26010b8e" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
OpenPath ($28 million)
<p>The Los Angeles-based company provides a touchless entry system that uses individuals cell phones to help with identification instead of a key card. The company offers a subscription for the cloud-enabled software that allows companies to help implement safety measures and it said demand has grown amid the pandemic. Founded by <a href="https://dot.la/alex-kazerani-james-segil-2646964770.html" target="_self">James Segil and Alex Kazerani</a> the company r<a href="https://dot.la/openpath-primed-for-covid-accelerated-growth-announces-36-million-raise-to-make-keycards-obsolete-2646416034/particle-2" target="_self">aised $36 million led by Greycroft </a>earlier this year, bringing its total funding to $63 million.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5Mzc4Ni9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1MTUzMDk5MX0.xEVC_2nNgGNHcUlPZc1932EpkrYJbCpShGVP6Pyc1wk/img.png?width=980" id="2ddde" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="08e6efa629173aa520b025475c108b99" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
FightCamp ($2.5 million)
<p>FightCamp is an interactive home workout system that<a href="https://mashable.com/article/fightcamp-review/" target="_blank"> turns your space into a boxing ring</a> with a free standing bag, boxing gloves and punch trackers. The company is riding the wave of at-home fitness offerings including Peloton, Mirror and Zwift that have taken off during the pandemic as gyms closed. The company has raised $4.3 million to date.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5Mzc4Ny9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY3MDY2MDk5Mn0.ky2E4So36PfYFVd9GjX9HL32nxJlwQ9cEkQQCmmK5pI/img.png?width=980" id="9718b" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="e60740b87fe8611f571fa5e15072c5ec" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
Numerade
<p>The Santa Monica-based company provides video and interactive content for education in math, science, economics and standardized test prep. Founded in 2018 by Nhon Ma and Alex Lee, who previously founded Tutorcast, an online tutoring service, the company gathers post-graduate educated instructors to create video lessons for online learning.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5Mzc4OC9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzMjAzNTgyNX0.bcGRZ8fyJOQ4cNXID6Ls8vCdV3KRyxI5Hqjxu7O4Dmc/img.png?width=980" id="4531b" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="2b3b77d816b05772a7e66235aa3663b6" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
Our Place ($32.5 million)
<p>The creator of a pan with a cult following on social media, this Los Angeles-based startup designs and retails cookware and dinnerware. Founded by Amir Tehrani, Zach Rosner and Shiza Shahid, the company completed its Series A funding earlier this year, bringing its total raised to date to $10 million.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5Mzc5MC9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyNzIxNDk4Nn0.QutV5lS2Yh1lC7cnnX4MtX2XxvLHaewK4WNIGO7zX5M/img.png?width=980" id="5c748" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="e684d5f9269f7a81569d933c79bab5bd" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Tala" />
Tala ($560 million)
<p>For customers that have no formal credit or banking history, this company's application promises more financial access, choice and control. It gathers data to create a credit score that can be used to instantly underwrite and disburse loans ranging from $10 to $500. Co-founded by Shivani Siroya and Jonathan Blackwell, Tala has raised $217.2 million to date. Its investors include PayPal Ventures, Lowercase Capital and Data Collective.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5Mzc5My9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2NDA4OTQ2Nn0.IIPwkBI2M3OMR-fgnM47TLWe5yoOsVZe6tvPwVCI3dU/img.png?width=980" id="c51f8" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="d156354bd8c547ab4c02dba9bcb96acf" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="ServiceTitan" />
ServiceTitan ($2.25 billion)
<p>Founded in 2007 by chief executive Ara Mahdessian and president Vahe Kuzoyan, ServiceTitan operates software that helps residential home contractors grow their businesses. It provides businesses tools like customer relationship management and accounting integration to streamline operations. The company closed a $73.82 million Series E funding round from undisclosed investors earlier this year.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5MzgxNi9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1MzY5OTU2OX0.-z16s658TU1QIbo0mcqGdnrB4Uz0Sj6eRRJgdkyw3fU/img.png?width=980" id="7ba75" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c0d58dce0c266abea711907d8672c260" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
100 Thieves ($160 million)
<p>Founded in 2017 by former professional "Call of Duty" player Matthew Haag, 100 Thieves manages esports competitions in major titles including "Counter Strike Global Offensive" and "League of Legends." The company also produces apparel and merchandise, opening a physical store and training ground called the "Cash App Compound" in collaboration with Fortnite earlier this year. The company has raised $60 million to date, from investors including Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and Aubrey Graham, better known as the rapper Drake.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5Mzg2NS9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2NDM1MTU3N30.gZiFa2FICgByJt8s93ni59ipDb8K-odSv0zjRA8B0Vg/img.png?width=980" id="69e4c" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3fffe0b360cf6b88990cd762cda7ae7c" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Emotive logo" />
Emotive ($16.5 million)
<p>This AI-powered customer service platform automates text conversations between customers and businesses to increase sales. Emotive uses their sales team to verify questions, distinguishing it from other bot-driven marketing services, according to the company. The company was founded in 2018 by Brian Zatulove and Zachary Wise, who serve as the chief executive and the chief operating officer, respectively. It has raised $6.65 million to date, from Floodgate Fund and TenOneTen Ventures. </p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDk5Mzg3MS9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2MDgzMjY3NX0.r0Oc87K8y6t8f6Xa8l0y0gcGml_5FW2gPpD-TE6Bu7g/img.png?width=980" id="7c591" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="0b958ca5f1549ced0d0b167aba77f5fa" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Everytable logo" />
Everytable ($33 million)
<p>Created by former hedge fund trader Sam Polk, the Los Angeles-based startup wants to be a healthy fast food chain. It <a href="https://dot.la/everytable-2648958920.html" target="_self">prices its healthy pre-packaged meals around $5</a> in underserved communities while costing more in other neighborhoods with the goal of reducing so-called food deserts in low-income neighborhoods. It also offers a subscription delivery service. The company recently closed a $16 million Series B round led by Creadev along with Kaiser Permanente Ventures.</p>From Your Site Articles
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