Aunt Flow, which is on a mission to change the world one cycle at a time, raised $8.5 million in Series A funding led by JLL Spark.
WHO: Since 2016, Aunt Flow has been committed to ensuring everyone has access to menstrual products. Chief Estrogen Officer (CEO) Claire Coder started the Columbus, Ohio-based company when she was only 18 years old after getting her period in public without any period products available. The company helped create the B2B industry category, and today, Aunt Flow leads the menstrual movement with 100% organic cotton period products as well as an innovative, patented free-vend menstrual product dispenser that is stocked in the bathrooms of partners like Apple, Google, Princeton University, and Netflix.
WHY: With the funding, Aunt Flow will be able to expand its customer base nationally, grow advocacy efforts, donate more than a million products to grassroots partners and introduce new products and more sustainable packaging. Demand for Aunt Flow's services and products is expected to grow exponentially as more US states and cities propose and pass legislation requiring businesses and institutions to provide free access to period products in public restrooms. In 2021, 37 states introduced period equity bills, with Ann Arbor, Michigan, becoming the first US city to require free period products in all public restrooms.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS: "Real estate owners are prioritizing the tenant experience today more than ever, and Aunt Flow's mission to increase public access to period products will significantly improve that experience for women," Kitty Sullivan, a principal with JLL Spark, said. "We're excited to partner with Aunt Flow and help expand its footprint across workplaces, venues and facilities."
"How people think about periods is changing," said Coder. "Aunt Flow is proud to be at the forefront of the menstrual movement, with a singular focus on making period products accessible to everyone. With JLL Spark as a partner, we'll be able to serve our communities on a much greater scale. If toilet paper is offered for free in public restrooms, tampons and pads should be too."
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