US-based feminine care products company Rael has raised $17.5m in a series A round co-led by GS Retail Fund, the investment arm of retail conglomerate GS Retail.
Asset management firm Mirae Asset co-led the round, which also featured SoftBank Ventures Korea, a subsidiary of internet and telecommunications group SoftBank, as well as Bam Ventures, Pritzker Group Venture Capital, angel investor Toni Ko and undisclosed additional investors.
Rael produces organic feminine care products such as biodegradable tampons, cotton buds, cleansing wipes and acne healing patches.
The funding will support the company’s global expansion plans, which include the growth of its direct-to-consumer e-commerce site and the exploration of partnerships with brick-and-mortar stores.
Rael has now raised $20.4m in total, it said. SoftBank Ventures Korea had previously led the company’s $2.1m seed round in May this year, with participation from Thrive Market and Bam Ventures.
Yanghee Paik, chief executive and co-founder of Rael, said: “We started Rael to empower women with healthy alternatives to conventional feminine care products that are full of toxic chemicals.
“We hope to educate and impact women around the world by creating products that do not sacrifice comfort or performance.”
– Image courtesy of Rael
