The Desire Company Raises $8 Million Series A To Support Retailer Demand
With Series A funding valuing the company at $78 million, The Desire Company will increase penetration within brick-and-mortar and online retailers, further transforming the shopper experience
ATLANTA, GA (December 7, 2021) - The Desire Company, a platform striving to change the way consumers shop for the better, today announces an $8 million Series A backed by private investment firms Valor Equity Partners and Cleveland Avenue, LLC. The Desire Company — co-founded by husband and wife duo, Eric and Judith Sheinkop — is challenging the traditional retail experience by valuing authenticity and driving quality, expert video reviews from leading industry professionals to a buyer’s fingertips. The funding will be used to support the lineup of retailer partnerships and opening a new studio in Chicago, Illinois to increase production capabilities in order to meet the growing demand.
In a world where consumers are bombarded every day with an overwhelming amount of fake reviews and misleading endorsements, as warned by the FTC in their recent announcement, The Desire Company is a consumer’s solution to finding trusted recommendations before making a final purchase decision. With a total of $14 million raised since its start and a $78 million valuation, the company is focused on providing high-quality video reviews of expert-recommended products, while also showcasing professionals in every industry. From NFL athletes and celebrity fitness trainers to licensed wellness experts, make-up artists, stylists, and dancers, The Desire Company has a growing library of 4,000+ expert videos helping shoppers make more informed purchase decisions.
“When the FTC is defining the problem you’re solving, you know you’re onto something big,” said Eric Sheinkop, co-founder and CEO of The Desire Company. “You can’t automate authenticity. That’s why The Desire Company is pleased to partner with clients who understand the importance of what we offer to customers and the value of our experts’ honest recommendations for products they genuinely use and love.”
With Chicago roots throughout the company from the founders to investors, the new studio location will help The Desire Company deliver scale at a rapid speed to meet retailer demands, as well as continue to grow their roster of industry experts that ensures consumers receive the most honest, accurate, and helpful product recommendations.
“The Desire Company’s expert-led reviews build consumer trust in product reviews, which is growing in importance as the number of ‘fake reviews’ continues to increase. Eric and Judith bring deep expertise in media and advertising and we believe there is strong potential for The Desire Company to create significant disruption in the retail landscape,” says Jon Shulkin, Fund Manager at Valor Siren Ventures and Co-President at Valor Equity Partners.
The Desire Company blends the best of in-store and Ecommerce by bringing human connection back into the consumer experience. Credible direct-to-purchase product content provides expert third-party validation in-store when consumers are browsing the aisles and online helping shoppers see how a product looks, feels, smells, and functions.
“We want to thank our investors and board for trusting us, believing in our company mission, and contributing to the exponential growth that can now happen,” adds Sheinkop.
About The Desire Company
The Desire Company is a content and media platform on the way to changing the traditional shopping experience forever. In a world of dishonest reviews and a lack of accurate information, our mission is to empower shoppers to make more educated, confident purchase decisions through access to credible, expert-driven content in the form of reviews, how-tos, and classes brought to you by elite industry professionals who are sharing their wisdom and favorite products. It was created around the passions of professionals, at the top of their game, in order to democratize their knowledge and build a community to share it.
About Valor Equity Partners
The Valor Siren Ventures (VSV) mission is to be the leading innovation engine and investor in early-stage food, food technology, retail, and retail technology investing. Rooted in Valor’s history of food and retail technology, Valor believes there is an opportunity to develop a new model for venture investing with VSV. Our team aspires to create value by generating differentiated investment opportunities, applying our intellectual capital, and accelerating the growth of portfolio companies through operations assistance in scaling.
About Cleveland Avenue, LLC
Founded by Don Thompson, the former President and CEO of McDonald’s Corporation, Cleveland Avenue is a capital firm that invests in food and beverage brands and technology companies that positively disrupt large and growing markets.
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