North America-based private label beauty and wellness platform, Blanka, has successfully concluded a seed funding round, raising $2 million. The funding was led by Dundee Venture Capital and saw participation from Storytime Capital, Disruption Ventures, as well as notable investors such as Fatima Yusuf, former executive at Shopify, and Manica Blain, founder of Top Knot Ventures.
Established in 2021 by Kaylee Astle, Doug Long, and Adam Chuntz, Blanka is positioning itself as a trailblazer by eliminating the challenges posed by high manufacturing minimums, lengthy production lead times, and traditional paper-based order forms. The platform streamlines the process of launching a new beauty brand, allowing it to be up and running within an hour, with an investment of less than $200.
The shift in the beauty industry over the last decade from being dominated by a handful of global giants to a more diverse range of direct-to-consumer brands has caught Blanka’s attention. This transformation has led to a surge in aspiring entrepreneurs, content creators, and beauty professionals eager to carve out their space in the market. Kaylee Astle, who faced obstacles while trying to launch her own beauty brand, recognized the need for a solution to support these emerging players.
Astle stated, “This has created a wave of entrepreneurs, content creators, and beauty professionals all hungry to enter the market with their own brand, but there hasn’t been anything to support them – until now.”
Blanka positions its platform as an all-encompassing solution, offering services from product procurement and personalization to fulfillment. The company serves both established and emerging brands by sourcing and customizing beauty and wellness products made in North America.
Glenn Baptiste, former L’Oréal executive and advisor to Blanka, remarked, “The beauty industry continues to evolve, but one thing that has remained constant is the market’s exponential growth over the years, even amidst economic cycles. The success of this fundraising round, especially in this market, underscores that the beauty industry is bulletproof.”
Baptiste expressed excitement about Blanka’s potential to accelerate innovation across brands of all sizes and its significance for the broader beauty industry.
Neil Grunberg, Managing Partner at Storytime Capital, noted Blanka’s impressive and sustained growth, aligning with their investment focus on early-stage companies that can shape the future of work.
Catherine Williams, Partner at Dundee Venture Capital, emphasized the industry’s current disjointed and inefficient state despite its size and establishment. She commended Blanka for paving the way toward a more cohesive and efficient future for the beauty sector.
Williams stated, “By dramatically reducing the barrier to entry for independent brands, it is set to transform the landscape for consumers. We are really excited to be a part of that journey.”