Following a major fundraising round earlier this year, LA-based Whatnot announced $225 million in a Series F funding round.WHO: Whatnot was founded in 2019 by Grant LaFontaine and Logan as a shopping destination for collectors and enthusiasts, tapping into existing communities online and the entertainment of live shopping. Based in Los Angeles, the platform has expanded beyond the US, operating in nine countries, including Canada, the UK, France, and Germany. WHY: The fresh capital will be used to fuel international expansion, support engineering and marketing teams, and drive product innovation to strengthen its market leadership.IN THEIR OWN WORDS: Co-founder and CEO Grant LaFontaine said, “The conversation around live shopping has changed. We’re no longer asking if it will catch on. Whatnot is proving that live shopping is retail’s new normal. This funding represents both investor conviction and consumer confidence in our vision for the future of live commerce. With this capital, we will create more opportunities to help sellers build profitable businesses from their passions to delight buyers around the globe.”And Laela Sturdy, Whatnot board member and Managing Partner at CapitalG, added, “Whatnot brought the live shopping wave to the US, the UK, and Europe and has turned it into one of the fastest-growing marketplaces of all time. The brand’s explosive growth, loyal community, and relentless execution in service of its buyers and sellers make it one of the most exciting bets in commerce today.