Queer Eye‘s Karamo Brown and two Honest Company alumni have co-founded Mantl, a premium personal care brand for bald and balding men, raising a pre-seed round of $1 million.

WHO: Mantl was inspired by Karamo Brown’s personal journey of struggling with baldness. Founded by Brown and Honest Company alums Peter Ricci and Irene Kong, Mantl aims to create a new category in men’s personal care by empowering men who embrace their baldness. The brand offers a range of grooming products catering to the bald and balding man’s face and scalp, including a cleanser, age defense moisturizer, daily SPF and “no-shine” sheets. The brand’s products are available exclusively via its website with prices ranging from $16.99 to $26.99.

WHY: The funding will help jump-start the growth of the newly launched brand.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS: “The beauty of our show is we’re not obligated like the first iteration of ‘Queer Eye’ was, where they had products that they had to talk about. Netflix doesn’t require that because there are no commercials,” said Brown. “Anything we recommend on the show, it’s because it’s what we want and believe in. I want the people on our show to be part of the Mantl community. The minute we get to the next season, I’m bringing these.”

DETAILS:

• Mantl raised $1 million in pre-seed funding from Revolution’s Rise of the Rest Seed Fund and numerous angel investments, including Brian Lee, co-founder of The Honest Company.
• According to WWD the company will look to launch a seed round post-launch.
• The brand will remain direct to consumer for the time being.
• Mantl is overseen by Brown, as well as Peter Ricci, the former Vice President, Head of Retail Sales at The Honest Company, and Irene Kong, who previously served as The Honest Company’s Senior Manager, Product and Packaging Development, before transitioning to the role of Director, Program and Portfolio Management. Ricci now serves as Mantl CEO, while Kong serves as Mantl Chief Product Officer.