US-based online artisan marketplace CustomMade secured $2.1m in series A financing yesterday from investors including Google Ventures, the corporate venturing unit for internet company Google, according to technology finance website TechCrunch.
Venture capital (VC) firm First Round Capital co-led the round with Google Ventures, while additional participants included VC firms Next View Ventures and Launch Capital, and VC fund Founder Collective.
The series A round follows Custommade’s seed round, which raised $1.15m in June last year from three Boston-based investors. Custommade has not disclosed the identity of the investors but they may well include the Boston-based series A backers Next View and Launch.
Custommade provides an online marketplace where customers can interact with skilled makers of furniture, jewellery and any other craft-based product, and negotiate rates for customised items to be made. Custommade plans to upgrade its website, adding new features, and will mainly invest the latest funding in expanding its operations and staffing.
Rich Miner, partner at Google Ventures, said: "Today, we see a large opportunity in technology platforms that can seamlessly connect consumers with the goods they want specifically designed for them. By combining local artisans – from the custom furniture maker in New Mexico to the jewellery designer in Austin – to millions of shoppers around the country, CustomMade serves the need of a growing marketplace and we look forward to working with them as they build their company and customer base."