NewBound Venture Capital

NewBound Venture Capital is a venture capital firm based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that specializes in consumer-centric investments. Founded in 2018, originally under the name Excelsior Financial Partners, the firm focuses on providing funding for Seed and Series A rounds. NewBound aims to support innovative consumer and technology companies, leveraging its expertise to identify and nurture promising startups in these sectors.

Michael Hoffman

Co-Founder and Managing Partner

27 past transactions

Greyson Clothiers

Series A in 2025
Greyson Clothiers is a Lifestyle and Performance Apparel Company that creates products that are suitable for the modern lifestyle. Greyson was founded by Charlie Schaefer, the previous SVP of design at Ralph Lauren. After 13 years of design experience at Ralph Lauren, Charlie parted ways to take on his biggest dream – the creation of his own label. Its headquarters is located in Detroit, Michigan.

Siprocal

Series B in 2023
Siprocal is an innovative gaming distribution and engagement platform that specializes in advertising technology across North America, Latin America, and Brazil. The company provides a range of services aimed at operators, original equipment manufacturers, advertisers, and app developers. By offering direct audience access and insights, Siprocal enables its clients to enhance their business operations and revenue generation. This allows businesses to concentrate on their core activities while effectively developing their brand image in a competitive market.

Buzzer

Series A in 2023
Buzzer Media Inc. operates a mobile platform that offers a notification-driven service for live sports streaming, aimed at enhancing the fan experience. Established in 2020 and based in New York, Buzzer aggregates fragmented sports content and rights into a single accessible platform, allowing fans to receive real-time notifications tailored to their preferences. This service enables users to effortlessly discover and watch live sports moments across various leagues and games, either through existing cable or over-the-top subscriptions, or by making micropayments within the app. Buzzer's mission is to simplify the discovery of live sports content, making it easier for fans to engage with their favorite events.

Explorer Cold Brew

Seed Round in 2023
Explorer Cold Brew is a specialty coffee company that specializes in producing cold brew concentrates, allowing consumers to customize their caffeine intake. The company offers a range of products that can be used to create various coffee beverages, including lattes, cappuccinos, cocktails, and smoothies. Customers have the option to choose from four different caffeine levels, catering to individual preferences. Explorer Cold Brew delivers its products directly to consumers' doors, enhancing convenience and accessibility.

Mother Science

Seed Round in 2022
Mother Science is an innovative biotech beauty brand that focuses on developing advanced skincare treatments. The company offers a range of products designed to enhance the overall appearance of the skin, including non-medicated skincare preparations, sunscreen, hair care products, and body care items. By emphasizing the integration of biotechnology in its formulations, Mother Science aims to provide users with effective solutions for achieving clear and glowing skin.

Vyng

Venture Round in 2022
Vyng Inc. is a technology company based in Santa Monica, California, that specializes in developing a video ringtones application and a next-generation Caller ID platform for mobile phones. Founded in 2014, Vyng allows users to set video channels as ringtones, which play on the lock screen with incoming calls. Since its launch in 2018, the platform has gained significant traction, with 4 billion videos played across 170 countries. Vyng's innovative approach visualizes calling systems by replacing traditional dialers with videos, animations, and stickers, enhancing the user experience during calls. The company aims to facilitate better conversations among friends, family, and businesses, particularly targeting the next half billion smartphone users in India and beyond. Vyng has successfully raised $7 million in funding from investors including March Capital and Omidyar Network, as well as notable figures from Giphy and GroupMe.

StellarAlgo

Series A in 2021
StellarAlgo is a developer of a customer data platform tailored for sports and entertainment organizations. Its software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform focuses on making data actionable and accessible, allowing these organizations to efficiently organize and analyze the information necessary for informed decision-making. By leveraging machine learning, StellarAlgo fosters a data-driven culture that enhances transparency and cohesiveness within organizations. This enables them to make timely decisions that improve audience engagement and create exceptional experiences for their fans.

Fernish

Series B in 2021
Fernish is a furniture rental startup based in Los Angeles, California, founded in 2017 by Michael Barlow and Lucas Dickey. The company offers a subscription model that caters to consumers with a mobile lifestyle, providing quality furniture and decor across various categories such as living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and offices. Fernish aims to redefine furniture rental by positioning itself as a lifestyle brand, allowing subscribers to rent entire rooms or specific pieces. Customers have the flexibility to swap out items they do not like or wish to change at any time. Additionally, Fernish features a rent-to-own program, enabling subscribers to apply their previous payments toward the purchase of rented items at the end of their subscription.

Yai's Thai

Series A in 2021
Yai's Thai is a dynamic food company dedicated to delivering authentic Thai flavors through a range of sauces crafted from clean, simple ingredients. Emphasizing health and quality, the company produces non-GMO, paleo-friendly, gluten-free products that contain no added sugar, artificial flavors, or preservatives. Their offerings include a variety of sauces such as Thai Coconut Curries, Thai Salsa, Ginger Lime Hot Sauce, Chili Garlic Hot Sauce, Spicy Thai Relish, and Thai Almond Sauce. Inspired by traditional recipes from their "Yai" (Thai for "grandma"), Yai's Thai aims to enhance everyday meals while ensuring that their products align with modern dietary preferences, making it easy for consumers to enjoy delicious and nutritious Thai cuisine at home.

Explorer Cold Brew

Seed Round in 2021
Explorer Cold Brew is a specialty coffee company that specializes in producing cold brew concentrates, allowing consumers to customize their caffeine intake. The company offers a range of products that can be used to create various coffee beverages, including lattes, cappuccinos, cocktails, and smoothies. Customers have the option to choose from four different caffeine levels, catering to individual preferences. Explorer Cold Brew delivers its products directly to consumers' doors, enhancing convenience and accessibility.

Spark Grills

Funding Round in 2021
Spark Grills Inc. is a company that develops, manufactures, and sells innovative backyard charcoal grills. Founded in 2017 and based in Boulder, Colorado, Spark Grills features a proprietary wood and charcoal Briq system that enables quick ignition and easy loading, while ensuring a mess-free clean-up process. The grills are designed for both grilling enthusiasts and home chefs, offering precise temperature control akin to that of an oven. Additionally, the company incorporates a social impact initiative aimed at reducing open air pollution through its unique charcoal fuel cartridges. Spark Grills products are available for purchase online, catering to a growing market of consumers seeking quality grilling solutions.

Explorer Cold Brew

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Explorer Cold Brew is a specialty coffee company that specializes in producing cold brew concentrates, allowing consumers to customize their caffeine intake. The company offers a range of products that can be used to create various coffee beverages, including lattes, cappuccinos, cocktails, and smoothies. Customers have the option to choose from four different caffeine levels, catering to individual preferences. Explorer Cold Brew delivers its products directly to consumers' doors, enhancing convenience and accessibility.

Rivalry

Funding Round in 2021
Rivalry is a Canadian sports betting and media company aimed at transforming the industry, particularly in the realm of esports. It operates within both the sportsbook and gaming segments, generating revenue through esports and traditional sports betting as well as its own and third-party casino products, including titles like Rushlane and Aviator. Rivalry focuses on fostering the esports ecosystem, supporting grassroots communities, professional players, and leagues, thereby contributing to the growth and development of the sector.

Carbitex

Series A in 2020
Carbitex, Inc. is a manufacturer and distributor of carbon fiber composites, headquartered in Kennewick, Washington. Founded in 2012, the company specializes in producing flexible carbon fiber fabrics designed to enhance the tensile strength of various products, particularly bags and athletic footwear. Carbitex's flagship product, CX6, serves as a versatile alternative to traditional materials like leather and suede, promoting durability and performance in textiles. By focusing on the needs of textile manufacturers, Carbitex enables improvements in the texture and longevity of sports shoes and travel bags, positioning itself as a significant player in the composite fabric industry.

Wisdom Gaming

Series A in 2020
Wisdom Gaming is an emerging leader in esports entertainment, building global communities across the gaming ecosystem. Wisdom Gaming offers turnkey creative and production services, tournament organization, and marketing strategy for brands and publishers passionate about establishing their legacy in esports and gaming. Established in 2019, the company is headquartered in Bloomington, MN, where it maintains an office, gaming and esports venue, and live broadcast studio. For more information about Wisdom Gaming, visit wisdom.gg or follow us @wsdmgg.

PSD Underwear

Series A in 2020
PSD Underwear is a lifestyle apparel brand that specializes in the design and manufacture of personal clothing and lingerie. The company offers a diverse range of products, including men's designer boxer briefs, women's apparel, and children's clothing, all aimed at providing comfort and style. PSD also provides loungewear, workout wear, tees, hoodies, pants, tights, shorts, and socks, catering to active individuals and trendsetters alike. With a focus on e-commerce, PSD ensures that customers have easy access to its on-trend apparel, enabling them to remain physically active while feeling comfortable in their clothing.

AQUIS

Series B in 2020
AQUIS is a beauty tool manufacturer that specializes in haircare products aimed at restoring hair's natural strength and vitality. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, the company offers a range of innovative hair towels and turbans made from an absorbent fabric designed to wick water away without causing friction damage. These products are engineered to dry wet hair significantly faster than traditional cotton towels, promoting healthier hair while reducing reliance on damaging heat tools. AQUIS focuses on delivering effective solutions for hair care, prioritizing both functionality and user experience.

FaceCake Marketing Technologies

Venture Round in 2019
FaceCake Marketing Technologies, Inc. specializes in personalized interactive marketing services, enabling users to engage with products through innovative visualization technologies. The company's flagship Visual Demonstration System allows users to manipulate their images and try on various products, including cosmetics, accessories, and clothing. FaceCake offers applications that empower users to act as their own stylist and makeup artist, as well as tools for body image solutions and realistic projections of cosmetic procedures. Their home decor solutions facilitate transformations in paint, flooring, and landscaping. Additionally, the Tryvertising solution creates lifelike environments for product application, while the Mirror Image Marketing solution delivers highly-targeted promotions based on user images. Founded in 2010, FaceCake is headquartered in Calabasas, California, and provides its services across multiple devices, including desktops, tablets, and mobile phones.

Kapsul Air

Series A in 2019
Kapsul focuses on transforming the home comfort market by offering aesthetically pleasing and high-performance appliances that enhance user experience and efficiency. The company has developed a range of products designed to manage temperature, humidity, and air quality, including a 5,000 BTU window air conditioner known for its ease of installation and use. This air conditioner provides users with 30% more viewable space while maintaining a stylish design suitable for both interior and exterior settings. Kapsul’s appliances are compatible with smart home platforms, allowing consumers to monitor and manage various environmental factors such as heat, humidity, energy usage, and ambient light through connected web services.

Fernish

Series A in 2019
Fernish is a furniture rental startup based in Los Angeles, California, founded in 2017 by Michael Barlow and Lucas Dickey. The company offers a subscription model that caters to consumers with a mobile lifestyle, providing quality furniture and decor across various categories such as living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and offices. Fernish aims to redefine furniture rental by positioning itself as a lifestyle brand, allowing subscribers to rent entire rooms or specific pieces. Customers have the flexibility to swap out items they do not like or wish to change at any time. Additionally, Fernish features a rent-to-own program, enabling subscribers to apply their previous payments toward the purchase of rented items at the end of their subscription.

Recoup

Seed Round in 2019
Recoup Fitness, established in 2015 and based in Denver, Colorado, specializes in innovative muscle recovery products that cater to both professional athletes and everyday consumers. The company aims to bridge the gap between high-end professional training tools and accessible home recovery solutions. Its flagship products combine icing and roll massage techniques into compact devices that can be easily held in one hand, providing effective treatment for sore muscles and injuries. Recoup Fitness focuses on delivering affordable, high-quality recovery tools, addressing a market need for more accessible options that are often lacking in innovation and affordability.

Happier Camper

Seed Round in 2019
Happier Camper, Inc. is a Los Angeles-based company that designs, manufactures, and sells travel trailers, while also offering trailer rental services. Established in 2015, the company focuses on lightweight and flexible campers that prioritize functionality, style, and sustainability. Happier Camper specializes in both new and refurbished vintage trailers, featuring a modular interior that caters to diverse needs such as camping, hauling, and mobile work. By emphasizing affordability and maneuverability, the company aims to provide versatile travel solutions that appeal to a growing market seeking alternatives to traditional, oversized recreational vehicles.

Nosotros Life and Spirits

Seed Round in 2019
Nosotros Life and Spirits is a premium tequila brand founded by Carlos Soto, a young entrepreneur from Costa Rica. The company is dedicated to producing sustainably sourced spirits, emphasizing a unique and balanced taste profile that distinguishes its offerings in the market. By blending agave from two distinct regions, Nosotros Tequila achieves a distinctive flavor with a herbal finish, appealing to consumers who seek high-quality and socially responsible alcoholic beverages. The brand's commitment to sustainability and exceptional craftsmanship positions it as a notable player in the premium spirits industry.

Fernish

Seed Round in 2018
Fernish is a furniture rental startup based in Los Angeles, California, founded in 2017 by Michael Barlow and Lucas Dickey. The company offers a subscription model that caters to consumers with a mobile lifestyle, providing quality furniture and decor across various categories such as living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and offices. Fernish aims to redefine furniture rental by positioning itself as a lifestyle brand, allowing subscribers to rent entire rooms or specific pieces. Customers have the flexibility to swap out items they do not like or wish to change at any time. Additionally, Fernish features a rent-to-own program, enabling subscribers to apply their previous payments toward the purchase of rented items at the end of their subscription.

Vyng

Series A in 2018
Vyng Inc. is a technology company based in Santa Monica, California, that specializes in developing a video ringtones application and a next-generation Caller ID platform for mobile phones. Founded in 2014, Vyng allows users to set video channels as ringtones, which play on the lock screen with incoming calls. Since its launch in 2018, the platform has gained significant traction, with 4 billion videos played across 170 countries. Vyng's innovative approach visualizes calling systems by replacing traditional dialers with videos, animations, and stickers, enhancing the user experience during calls. The company aims to facilitate better conversations among friends, family, and businesses, particularly targeting the next half billion smartphone users in India and beyond. Vyng has successfully raised $7 million in funding from investors including March Capital and Omidyar Network, as well as notable figures from Giphy and GroupMe.

OverActive Media

Series A in 2018
OverActive Media began operations in November 2017 to build an integrated company delivering esports and video game entertainment experiences to fans in Canada and around the world through franchise ownership, strategic partnerships, investments and acquisitions. They’re combining team ownership with audience engagement to better connect with their current fans and to introduce these exciting competitions to new fans through our three core platforms

Nosotros Life and Spirits

Seed Round in 2017
Nosotros Life and Spirits is a premium tequila brand founded by Carlos Soto, a young entrepreneur from Costa Rica. The company is dedicated to producing sustainably sourced spirits, emphasizing a unique and balanced taste profile that distinguishes its offerings in the market. By blending agave from two distinct regions, Nosotros Tequila achieves a distinctive flavor with a herbal finish, appealing to consumers who seek high-quality and socially responsible alcoholic beverages. The brand's commitment to sustainability and exceptional craftsmanship positions it as a notable player in the premium spirits industry.
Spot something off? Help us improve by flagging any incorrect or outdated information. Just email us at support@teaserclub.com. Your feedback is most welcome.