nacelle
In order to gauge the local startup scene and who’s leading the proverbial pack, we asked more than 30 leading L.A.-based investors for their take on the hottest firms in the region. They responded with more than two dozen venture-backed companies; three startups, in particular, rose above the rest as repeat nominees, while we've organized the rest by their amount of capital raised as of January, according to data from PitchBook. (We also asked VCs not to pick any of their own portfolio companies, and vetted the list to ensure they stuck to that rule.)
Without further ado, here are the 26 L.A. startups that VCs have their eyes on in 2022.
1. Whatnot ($225.4 million raised)
Whatnot was the name most often on the minds of L.A. venture investors—understandably, given its prolific fundraising year. Whatnot raised some $220 million across three separate funding rounds in 2021, on the way to a $1.5 billion valuation.
The Marina del Rey-based livestream shopping platform was founded by former GOAT product manager Logan Head and ex-Googler Grant LaFontaine. The startup made its name by providing a live auction platform for buying and selling collectables like rare Pokémon cards, and has since expanded into sports memorabilia, sneakers and apparel.
2. Boulevard ($40.3 million raised)
Boulevard’s backers include Santa Monica-based early-stage VC firm Bonfire Ventures, which focuses on B2B software startups. The Downtown-based company fits nicely within that thesis; Boulevard builds booking and payment software for salons and spas. The firm has worked with prominent brands such as Toni & Guy and HeyDay.
3. GOAT ($492.7 million)
GOAT launched in 2015 as a marketplace to help sneakerheads authenticate used Air Jordans and other collectible shoes. It has since grown at a prolific rate, expanding into apparel and accessories and exceeding $2 billion in merchandise sales in 2020. The startup sealed a $195 million funding round last summer that more than doubled its valuation, to $3.7 billion.
The Best of the Rest
VideoAmp ($578.6 raised)
Nielsen competitor VideoAmp gathers data on who's watching what across streaming services, traditional TV and social apps like YouTube. The company positions itself as an alternative to so-called "legacy" systems like Nielsen, which it says are "fragmented, riddled with complexity and inaccurate." In addition to venture funding, its total funding figure includes more than $165 million in debt financing.
Mythical Games ($269.4 million raised)
Seizing on the NFT craze, Mythical Games is building a platform that powers the growing realm of “play-to-earn games.” Backed by NBA legend Michael Jordan and Andreessen Horowitz, the Sherman Oaks-based startup’s partners include game publishers Abstraction, Creative Mobile and CCG Lab.
FloQast ($202 million raised)
FloQast founder Michael Whitmire says he got a “no” from more than 100 investors in the process of raising a seed round. Today, the accounting software company is considered a unicorn.
Nacelle ($70.8 million raised)
Nacelle produces docuseries, books, comedy albums and podcasts. The media company’s efforts include the Netflix travel series “Down To Earth with Zac Efron.”
Wave ($66 million raised)
A platform for virtual concerts, Wave has hosted performances by artists including Justin Bieber, Tinashe and The Weeknd. The company says it has raised $66 million to date from the likes of Warner Music and Tencent.
Papaya ($65.2 million raised)
Sherman Oaks-based Papaya looks to make it easier to pay “any” bill—from hospital bills to parking tickets—via its mobile app.
LeaseLock ($63.2 million raised)
Based in Marina del Rey, LeaseLock says it’s on a mission to eliminate security deposits for apartment renters.
Emotive ($58.1 million raised)
Emotive sells text message-focused marketing tools to ecommerce firms like underwear brand Parade and men's grooming company Beardbrand.
Dray Alliance ($55 million raised)
Based in Long Beach, Dray says its mission is to “modernize the logistics and trucking industry.” Its partners include Danish shipping company Maersk and toy maker Mattel.
Coco ($43 million raised)
Coco makes small pink robots on wheels (you may have seen them around town) that deliver food via a remote pilot. Its investors include Y Combinator and Silicon Valley Bank.
HiveWatch ($25 million raised)
HiveWatch develops physical security software. Its investors include former Twitter executive Dick Costollo and NBA star Steph Curry’s Penny Jar Capital.
Popshop ($24.5 million raised)
Whatnot competitor Popshop is betting that live-shopping is the future of ecommerce. The West Hollywood-based firm focuses on collectables such as trading cards and anime merchandise.
First Resonance ($19.4 million raised)
Founded by former SpaceX engineer Karan Talati, First Resonance runs a software platform for makers of electric cars and aerospace technology. Its clients include Santa Cruz-based air taxi company Joby Aviation and Alameda-based rocket company Astra.
Open Raven ($19 million raised)
Founded by Crowdstrike and Microsoft alums, Open Raven aims to protect user data. The cybersecurity firm’s investors include Kleiner Perkins and Upfront Ventures.
Fourthwall ($17 million raised)
When an actor faces the camera and speaks directly to the audience, it’s known as “breaking the fourth wall.” Named after the trope, Venice-based Fourthwall offers a website builder that’s designed for content creators.
The Non Fungible Token Company ($15 million raised)
The Non Fungible Token Company creates NFTs for musicians under the name Unblocked. Its investors include Jay Z’s Marcy Venture Partners and Shawn Mendez.
Safe Health Systems ($15 million raised)
Backed by Mayo Clinic Ventures, Safe Health develops telehealth software and offers tools for enterprises to launch their own health care apps.
Intro ($11.6 million raised)
Intro’s app lets you book video calls with experts—from celebrity stylists, to astrologists, to investors.
DASH Systems ($8.5 million raised)
With the tagline “Land the package, not the plane,” DASH Systems is a Hawthorne-based shipping company that builds hardware and software for automated airdrops.
Ettitude ($3.5 million raised)
With a focus on sustainability, Ettitude is a direct-to-consumer brand that sells bedding, bathroom textiles and sleepwear.
Afterparty ($3 million raised)
Along similar lines as Unblocked, Afterparty creates NFTs for artists and content creators such as Clay Perry and Tropix.
Heart to Heart ($0.75 million raised)
Heart to Heart is an audio-focused dating app that “lets you listen to the story behind the pictures in a profile.” Precursor Ventures led the pre-seed funding round.
Frigg (undisclosed)
Frigg makes hair and beauty products that contain cannabinoids such as CBD. The Valley Village-based company raised an undisclosed seed round in August.
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But considering the severity of the pandemic, the drop off could have been much worse. More seed deals were completed in the most recent quarter than the same period last year. And there was no decrease in valuations, with seed round sizes holding steady at an average of around $2.5 million.
"I was surprised, like many others, that the funding environment has been as resilient as it has been," Connor Sundberg, a senior associate at Amplify.LA who compiled the report, said by email. "I think in situations like the current pandemic, there's a tendency to jump to the first-order consequences – closures, consumer fears, uncertainty – and sometimes miss the second and third order effects. We've had companies that have seen favorable legislation changes like telehealth or make years worth of progress in adoption because they provide services that have helped keep small and mid-size businesses in operation."
Software as a service (SaaS) startups once again raised the most money of any category, with Nacelle, which makes a web app platform for online retailers, leading the way. It raised $4.70 million in a deal led by Index Ventures and Accomplice VC in June.
Ecommerce startups got a boost as consumers stayed at home during the pandemic and wanted to upgrade their bedrooms and backyards. For instance, Ettitude, maker of bedding and bath products made from organic bamboo, raised $1.6 million in a deal led by Drumbeat Ventures in April. Outer, which sells outdoor sectional sofas, raised $4.3 million in a round led by Mucker Capital in June.
"We saw huge upticks in things related to home improvement, at-home leisure, and learning that benefited from people suddenly spending much more time at home," said Sundberg. "Companies w/ supply power and almost exclusively brick-and-mortar alternatives saw a lift."
However, it was not all good news for ecommerce startups, who faced increasing competition from competitors who had previously been more focused on their brick-and-mortar operations. There was also more competition for certain ad keywords, which drove up prices. And startups that sold travel or outdoor products struggled.
"It really has been a massive mix of outcomes and less of a rising-tide-lifts-all-boats phenomenon," said Sundberg. "The companies we've consistently seen do best, though, are those in ecommerce infrastructure. They benefit from competition from new companies starting to sell online and existing companies increasing sales or spending more to stay competitive. They're perfectly positioned as their bet is one on ecommerce as a whole, not on a specific product or category."
Seed deals were somewhat of a bright spot in the second quarter. Across all rounds, just 140 deals were completed in the second quarter in greater L.A, the fewest since Pitchbook and the National Venture Capital Association began tracking the data in 2014.
Venture funding around the globe was up 15% in the last quarter, accelerating from -5% in the first quarter, according to Goldman Sachs. Meanwhile, deal count fell 14% in each of the last two quarters, reflecting a trend of fewer deals but larger rounds.
As always, it is best not to read too much into quarterly fluctuations, which have a limited data set. But considering the ongoing severity of the pandemic and resulting recession, those trying to raise money in most categories can breathe a sigh of relief.
"I think the longer-term insight we've had is that despite quarterly swings one way or the other, the ecosystem as a whole is moving in a good direction," said Sundberg. "In the past few years, we've seen new funds open their doors, existing funds raise significantly more, and a number of exits that have thrown more talent and mentorship into the ecosystem."
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