Key Takeaways:
- Align Ventures, the VC firm that backed Touchland, Coterie, Olipop, Starface, and Billie, has closed its second fund.
- Align revealed the close of its $125 million Early-Stage Fund II, surpassing its $100 million target, and drew returning Fund I investors alongside new partners.
- Beauty, personal care, and wellness will be a big focus for the second fund.
The raise builds on the strong outcomes from Align’s debut fund, including recent exits from Coterie, acquired by Mammoth Brands, and Touchland, acquired by Church & Dwight.
WHO: Founded in 2018, Align Ventures invests in early-stage consumer brands and technologies that reshape our culture, supporting the entire lifecycle of its portfolio companies, including follow-on capital and access to its expansive network of operators and experts across marketing, creative, retail, operations, and more. Align has a demonstrated track record of identifying and accelerating enduring brands from the earliest stages through exit, backed by a team with deep expertise in consumer, M&A, and operations.
With Fund II, Align will invest $2 million to $10 million initial checks into 15 to 20 brands that aim to transform everyday consumer experiences across categories including beauty, personal care, health, wellness, pet, and home. Alongside general partners Ben Bryce and Grant Hosking, the investment team includes Andrew Ferrero, Peyton Raun, and Melanie Singh, who join Align from firms including Left Lane Capital and The Estée Lauder Companies’ New Incubation Ventures.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS: “We build deep conviction in our prospective partners ahead of an investment and only back a small number of brands each...
