Y Combinator is a startup accelerator that invests in a large number of startups twice a year. It created a new model for funding startups. Twice a year, the company invests a small amount of money ($150k) in a large number of startups. The startup accelerator works intensively with the companies for three months, to get them into the best possible shape and refine their pitch to investors. Each cycle culminates in Demo Day when the startups present their companies to a carefully selected, invite-only audience.

Y Combinator

FundersClub focuses on Seed and early stage investments. Investments include Coinbase, Instacart, Flexport, Le Tote, Teespring, Memebox, GitLab. FundersClub is the world's first online venture capital platform. Backed by Y Combinator, First Round Capital, Spark Capital, Intel Capital, Draper, Andreessen Horowitz, Felicis Ventures, and more; FundersClub Inc. was founded in 2012 and is based in the United States.

FundersClub

Rough Draft Ventures is a student-led team that funds technology-focused university entrepreneurs. They invest checks through founder-friendly SAFEs via their network of student fellows, supplying the brightest student founders across the US with meaningful resources, access to education, and one of their earliest support systems. The company was founded in 2012 and is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States.

Rough Draft Ventures

SGH Capital is a group of funds focusing on disruptive business models and creative entrepreneurs in the US, Europe, and India. SGH is agnostic and constantly enters new Technology verticals. The firm was founded in 2014 by Alexandre Azoulay and is headquartered in Luxembourg.

SGH CAPITAL

NOEMIS Ventures is a venture capital fund investing and partnering with early stage companies to empower and pursue growth.

NOEMIS Ventures

Red & Blue Ventures is a privately owned, seed and early-stage venture capital fund that invests in technology companies with penn students, alumni, and faculty as key personnel. Media   and entertainment companies build identity-based brands that lead their space. It all starts with amazing original content that connects with people.

Red & Blue Ventures

Robin Hood Ventures is a group of angel investors, focused on early-stage, high-growth companies in the Greater Philadelphia region. We help entrepreneurs build great companies, providing capital, mentoring, expertise and connections to help companies reach their potential. Robin Hood generally invests $250k to $500k, and collaborates with angels, institutions and VCs in our network. We invest as a single entity in businesses we know and understand, in a way that gets deals done. Since 1999, we have invested in over 45 companies in industries including software, medical devices, biotech, internet and financial technology.

Robin Hood Ventures

Interplay is a startup ecosystem where ideas scale. Our mission is to accelerate humankind’s potential by streamlining the journey of the entrepreneur.  Our ecosystem consists of five business lines that fall under three divisions: Capital, Studio, and Platform. Capital: Our venture capital arm invests in early stage, technology-enabled businesses in North America. We back startups that have demonstrated quantifiable financial and operational fundamentals, including a scaling customer base, early product-market fit and real revenue growth. Separately, our family office provides members full-service portfolio construction and investment management, with an emphasis on alternative assets via direct and fund investments. Additionally, members receive advisory-services for estate planning, philanthropic engagement, emergency planning, and tax optimization. Studio: We cofound and incubate companies. When we cofound a company, we’re typically starting from scratch – taking our own ideas and building them out of our foundry. Through our incubator, we support the growth of other teams by providing mentorship, enabling them to scale their company. Platform: Our platform consists of five service companies that provide core operating business solutions, including accounting, marketing, legal, professional development and outsourcing. In addition to the above services, we create educational content to help founders turn their vision into reality. Our two flagship pieces of content are a podcast that focuses on integral startup lessons for founders and a book about the rules of fundraising. We also manage a number of startup communities, including the largest entrepreneurship community associated with Columbia University called the Columbia Venture Community. To learn more visit our website and engage with us at interplay.vc/engage.

Interplay

Reshape is a next-generation investor in technology-enabled companies that need real estate to scale.

Reshape

Alumni Ventures Group provides high-quality, diversified venture portfolios to individual investors who previously haven't had access to VC. It helps accredited alums from top entrepreneurial schools invest together in the ventures of fellow alums. The firm backs companies with an alumni connection and an institutional lead investor with expertise in the space. AVG also offers focused funds that allow any accredited investor access to a venture portfolio, diversified by type, sector, stage, and geography. Beth Obermiller, Michael Madden, and Mike Collins co-founded the firm in Manchester, New Hampshire in 2013.

Alumni Ventures

J20 Ventures is an early stage fund investing in consumer brands that cater to the evolving needs and desires of millennials and Gen-Z across e-commerce, edtech, fintech, healthcare, and beyond, while also supporting the B2B infrastructure behind these brands. J20 looks to partner with mission-driven founders intent on leaving a positive mark on the world while building scalable businesses that can transform the economy and the lives of their users. Current investments include: Burrow, Career Karma, Gainful, Co-Edition, Snowe, 99 Minutos.

J20 Ventures

New Enterprise Associates is a prominent venture capital firm focusing on investments in technology and healthcare startups. They help entrepreneurs build transformational businesses across multiple stages, sectors, and geographies. With over $19 billion in cumulative committed capital since the firm’s founding in 1977, NEA invests in technology and healthcare companies at all stages in a company’s lifecycle, from the seed stage through the IPO. The firm's long track record of successful investing includes more than 210 portfolio company IPOs and more than 360 acquisitions.

New Enterprise Associates

Correlation Ventures is a new breed of venture capital firm, leveraging world-class analytics to offer entrepreneurs and other venture capitalists a dramatically better option when they are seeking additional capital to complete a financing round.

Correlation Ventures

Winklevoss Capital Management partners with a select number of early stage companies to provide investment with a full service approach to driving growth.

Winklevoss Capital

Social Starts is a venture capital firm with a data-driven approach to investing in moment-of-inception and Series A financing rounds. The firm prefers to invest in early-stage companies operating in the technology, health tech, internet, and mobile tech sectors.

Social Starts

TriplePoint Ventures is a venture capital firm that finances seed and early stage investments of life sciences and technology sectors.

TriplePoint Ventures

Uncommon Denominator is a venture capital firm that focuses on consumer, SaaS, and frontier tech. The firm also invests in consumer brands that hit a psychological nerve, software companies that help other businesses make more money or spend less of it, and occasionally in frontier technologies. It was founded in 2018 and headquartered in New York, United States.

Uncommon Denominator

Duro Ventures was founded by Sundeep Ahuja, a 4x founder, advisor & investor with 70+ companies in his portfolio (excluding investments made via other AngelList Syndicates). He backs mission-driven founders and is broadly focused on consumer, enterprise AI, enterprise SaaS, healthcare IT, e-commerce, distributed energy & blockchain-inspired innovations.

Duro Ventures

Blue Ivy Ventures is a community of Yale alumni: investors, executives, entrepreneurs, and innovation enthusiasts with a connection to Yale University.   Blue Ivy Ventures was founded in 2016 and is led by Managing Partner David Shapiro (Yale '91). Its Investment Committee and investors include experienced investors and entrepreneurs from around the country and across multiple generations.

Blue Ivy Ventures

The MBA Fund is a VC fund and network of founders, executives and investors committed to mentoring and investing in leading early-stage, student and alumni founders. The firm was founded in 2018 by Josh Hoffman-Senn, Hiro Tien, Sieva Kozinsky and Hansae Catlett.

The MBA Fund

Basement Fund specializes to invest in the early-stage.

Basement Fund

Founded in 2019, Parkway operates at the intersection of vision and execution with a focus on cutting-edge technologies and business models. The firm is largely focused on the trend of digital transformation of businesses, products and systems with software and hardware technologies in data science, artificial intelligence (AI), simulation, automation, spatial computing, internet of things (IOT), augmented reality (AR), generative design and optimization technologies.  Parkway primarily targets investments in the Climate Tech, Construction Tech (Contech), Property Tech (Proptech), Generative Design, Business Intelligence, Health Tech, Metaverse and Direct-to-Consumer sectors. Companies in which Parkway investments typically have a software as a service, unique technology, valuable patents and intellectual property that make them highly competitive in the market, valuable to potential strategic acquirers and/or display the potential for high growth annual recurring revenue.

Parkway Venture Capital

Team in Residence is a group of successful entrepreneurs and venture capitalists that partner with talented innovators to create sustainable enterprises. Their  belief is that by providing talented innovators a well rounded team that brings expertise, relationships, and access to capital, entrepreneurs can both realize their vision and be rewarded in the process. They are unique in that all members of TIR have not only worked together previously, but each of them has experience as an investor, entrepreneur, and operator. The unique perspective offered by understanding the challenges of building a business, operating it efficiently, and optimizing complex capital procurement allows us to maximize value for the entrepreneur and the budding enterprise.

Team in Residence

Unanimous Capital is a venture capital firm focusing on early-stage investments while opportunistically participating in later stages. The firm also invests in founders solving meaningful problems by creating or disrupting markets at scale. Their range of operational experience allows them to capitalize on the current gap in early-stage funding and makes us uniquely qualified to help companies thrive. Unanimous Capital was founded in 2018 and is based in San Mateo, California, USA.

Unanimous Capital

Bela Juju is an exceptional investment firm specializing in multi-stage companies driven by exceptional founders and exceptional teams

Bela Juju Ventures

Burrow

Burrow specializes in selling various luxury furniture online. Its furniture is handcrafted from sturdy, sustainably-sourced hardwood and scratch- and stain-resistant, non-toxic fabrics. Burrow is dedicated to reinventing the way people furnish their homes. The company was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in New York.

Burrow is a direct-to-consumer furniture company founded in 2016, based in New York City. It specializes in modular, mid-century modern inspired furniture, including its signature seating collection, as well as shelving, tables, media storage, credenzas, and more. Burrow's furniture is designed for easy assembly, with pieces that can be rearranged or added to over time.

Review of Burrow Mambo Modular Sofa (2023)

Couch Review: Burrow Three-Piece Open Sectional Lounger

Is A Burrow Couch Best For Homebodies? We Review

The Best American-Made Furniture Brands of 2024

Burrow outdoor furniture review: Beautiful, modular outdoor seating at a moderate price point

We tested a Burrow couch: Review

The 18 Leading American-Made Furniture Brands of 2024

Explore 12 of the Best American Furniture Brands in 2024

Burrow Couch Review

Burrow Furniture Review: The 9 Best & Worst Pieces To Purchase

Technology to customize and procure furniture

Furniture Tech

XLCS Partners advises Burrow's Post Frame Supply in sale to Morton Buildings

Burrow is a direct-to-consumer furniture company founded in 2016, based in New York City. It specializes in modular, mid-century modern inspired furniture, including its signature seating collection, as well as shelving, tables, media storage, credenzas, and more. Burrow's furniture is designed for easy assembly, with pieces that can be rearranged or added to over time.
The company's seating options, like the Nomad and Range collections, feature modular designs that can be customized with different fabrics, leg finishes, and armrest styles. Burrow uses sustainably sourced materials, including wood from US forests certified by organizations like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Its cushions are made with stain-resistant olefin fiber and CertiPUR-US certified foam, free of harmful chemicals.
Burrow's furniture is manufactured in the US, primarily in North Carolina, as well as in facilities in Vietnam, Poland, and India. The company emphasizes easy assembly, with pieces like sofas and bed frames designed to be put together without tools in a matter of minutes. Burrow also offers accessories like rugs, pillows, and throws to complement its furniture.

Casper Sleep Inc. is an award-winning sleep company known for its design-driven products, unparalleled customer support, and seamless shopping experience. The company has revolutionized the mattress industry by offering a direct-to-consumer model, allowing customers to purchase affordable, high-quality mattresses online and have them delivered in a compact box.
Casper's mattresses are designed with three core principles in mind: cooling, support, and comfort. The company's research and development arm, Casper Labs, obsessively engineers its sleep offerings, including mattresses, pillows, bedding, and furniture. In January 2024, Casper unveiled a new line of mattresses reflecting the most up-to-date needs of customers, set to launch in February 2024.
Casper operates on a subscription-based model, where customers can purchase products directly from their ecommerce platform or through authorized retail partners. The company offers a 100-night risk-free trial, allowing customers to return the mattress if unsatisfied, and has it donated to charity or recycled. As of October 2019, Casper served over 1 million customers across eight countries and generated USD 439 million in revenue for the year.

Casper

MADE is a pioneering, family-founded British business dedicated to designing and manufacturing high-end, contemporary furniture. Their pieces are meticulously crafted from sustainable materials like solid wood sourced from European managed forests and estates with proper certifications. MADE embraces innovative technologies and continuously refines its practices to minimize environmental impact, aiming for low resource consumption, reduced emissions, and minimal waste disposal.
The company utilizes its own timber and sawdust waste to heat its factory, offers reupholstery services to extend furniture lifespan, and uses recyclable packaging materials. By producing furniture made-to-order, MADE ensures a respectful approach to resource utilization. With an internal Environmental Management system and ISO14001 accreditation, the brand maintains ethical working practices and a commitment to reducing harm to the environment, achieving the highest 'A' level rating on its Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

MADE

Simba Sleep is a British company that manufactures mattresses, mattress toppers, and other bedding products. Its flagship product is the Simba mattress, designed using data from over 10 million sleepers and featuring 2,500 conical pocket springs combined with responsive memory foam. Simba utilizes advanced technologies like open-cell foam structures and graphite-infused cooling layers to enhance breathability and temperature regulation.
The company sources materials from local UK suppliers and manufactures its products in Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Simba emphasizes environmental sustainability by using eco-friendly materials and processes. Its mattresses are designed to adapt to different body types and sleeping positions, providing optimal comfort and support.
As of 2024, Simba has achieved sales of over 750,000 sleep products worldwide and has amassed over 200,000 reviews with an average rating of 4.76 stars. The company offers a 200-night trial period and a 10-year warranty on its mattresses.

Simba Sleep

Havenly is an online interior design service that provides professional design assistance to customers across the US. It connects customers with vetted interior designers who create customized design plans based on the customer's style preferences, space, and budget. The service offers two main packages - the Havenly Mini (USD 79) for a room refresh, and the Havenly Full (USD 129) for a complete room redesign.
The design process begins with a style quiz to determine the customer's design aesthetic. Customers are then matched with a designer based on their preferences, and they collaborate through an online platform. The designer shares initial concept boards, which the customer can provide feedback on, leading to a final design with a layout plan, 3D renderings (for the Full package), and a curated shopping list for purchasing furniture and decor.
Havenly's strength lies in its ecommerce integration, allowing customers to conveniently purchase the recommended products directly through the platform. The company partners with over 200 retailers to offer a wide range of furniture and decor options across various styles and price points. In February 2022, Havenly acquired The Inside, a direct-to-consumer home furnishings brand offering customizable furniture, expanding its product offerings.
In May 2022, Havenly introduced in-person design services in select US markets, combining virtual tools like 3D renderings with hands-on consultations and styling by designers. This expansion aligned with the company's mission to make interior design more accessible and personalized.

Havenly

GAIA is a leading Mexican furniture manufacturer renowned for its commitment to sustainability and environmental protection. The company is the first in Mexico to develop furniture using certified wood sourced from sustainable forests, steering clear of materials like MDF. GAIA's product line encompasses a diverse range, including sofas, chairs, dining sets, tables, beds, wardrobes, and more, catering to residential and commercial spaces alike.
The brand prides itself on offering high-quality, natural designs that prioritize functionality and durability. GAIA's philosophy revolves around creating innovative, eco-friendly products that can be recycled, thereby minimizing their environmental impact. In addition to its nine branches across Mexico, the company has forged partnerships with local NGOs, further solidifying its dedication to sustainability.
GAIA has pioneered a new concept of modularity for its bathroom furniture line, enabling customers to customize and compose their desired solutions from various components. This approach allows for tailored aesthetics by selecting from nine distinct front panel designs, including Simple, Natura, Twist, Robin, Orizzonte, Auto, Wave, Domino, and Garden. Customers can independently create and price their ideal furnishing solutions, ensuring a personalized experience.
The company's recent catalogue expansion introduced a range of vanity unit configurations, with options for drawer modules, door modules, open compartments, and side modules. GAIA offers a versatile selection of countertop materials, including polished or matte white ceramic, crystal glass, matte resin, marble, and wood, catering to diverse design preferences.
In February 2021, GAIA unveiled its flagship store in Mexico City's Colonia Roma area, a vibrant cultural and commercial hub. The store's façade features a striking design with hand-made black concrete panels and steel beams, creating a dynamic interplay of light and shadow.

GAIA

Includes companies that offer furniture for a monthly rental, offered on a subscription basis or rent-to-own basis

Companies that develop customized furniture based on specifications (material, color, design, etc.) selected on the website by the customer

Companies that develop IoT-enabled furniture, usually controlled via a mobile app (e.g., an app-controlled bed that allows users to customize bed settings, create lighting scenarios, open safe drawers, etc.)

Companies that provide an online marketplace for P2P and B2B2C buying and selling for both used and new furniture

Companies that offer ready-made furniture sold directly through the website

Companies that offer virtual interior design solutions to design spaces, including furniture. These companies also typically offer furniture sourcing, installation, and coordination activities

Companies that develop lego-like and modular furniture systems that are easy to assemble and disassemble. Also includes space-saving expandable furniture systems

Customized furniture based on specifications selected on the website by the customer or virtual designs

IoT-connected furniture typically with the option of control through a mobile app

Furniture rental platforms that offer furniture on subscription basis or rent-to-own basis

Some companies offer IoT-connected furniture with the option of control through a mobile app

Burrow

Sources

About EDGE

Contact Us

Resources

Area of Focus

Technology Research Made Effortless