SWaN & Legend Venture Partners

SWaN & Legend Venture Partners is a venture capital investment firm based in Leesburg, Virginia, established in 2012 through the merger of SWaN Investors and Legend Ventures. The firm focuses on investing in consumer-centric companies, particularly those that prioritize customer service. Its investment portfolio spans a variety of sectors, including consumer brands, digital commerce, education technology, food and hospitality, retail services, and wellness. With a strong emphasis on early-stage opportunities, SWaN & Legend aims to support companies that enhance the customer experience and drive innovation within their respective industries.

Todd Foreman

Managing Director

Nick Gillette

Associate

Mark Mason

Director

Aaron Pollock

Associate

Fred Schaufeld

Founder and Managing Director

Fredrick D. Schaufeld

Managing Director

David Strasser

Managing Director

Past deals in District of Columbia

UrbanStems

Series C in 2024
UrbanStems Inc. is a Washington, D.C.-based company that specializes in on-demand flower delivery services. Founded in 2014, it offers fresh flowers and seasonal stems tailored for various occasions, including handcrafted bouquets for businesses and personal gifts. The company emphasizes a thoughtful gifting experience by providing personalized notes and care instructions with each delivery. UrbanStems also features a subscription service for regular flower deliveries, ensuring convenience for its customers. Its services are available through an online portal and a mobile application, catering to customers in cities such as New York, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. The company is committed to delivering quality floral arrangements promptly, often within minutes of order placement, and includes free shipping with every delivery.

UrbanStems

Series C in 2021
UrbanStems Inc. is a Washington, D.C.-based company that specializes in on-demand flower delivery services. Founded in 2014, it offers fresh flowers and seasonal stems tailored for various occasions, including handcrafted bouquets for businesses and personal gifts. The company emphasizes a thoughtful gifting experience by providing personalized notes and care instructions with each delivery. UrbanStems also features a subscription service for regular flower deliveries, ensuring convenience for its customers. Its services are available through an online portal and a mobile application, catering to customers in cities such as New York, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. The company is committed to delivering quality floral arrangements promptly, often within minutes of order placement, and includes free shipping with every delivery.

Cava Group

Series F in 2021
Cava Group, Inc. is a culinary brand that operates a chain of Greek and Mediterranean restaurants, offering a diverse menu that includes salads, dips, spreads, toppings, and dressings. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Washington, District of Columbia, the company focuses on providing modern and authentic Mediterranean cuisine through its fast-casual dining establishments. Cava Group also emphasizes a digital platform that allows customers to order and enjoy Mediterranean food in both physical and online environments. The company has established strategic partnerships with organizations such as the Garden School Foundation and Urban Roots, enhancing its community engagement and outreach efforts.

UrbanStems

Series B in 2019
UrbanStems Inc. is a Washington, D.C.-based company that specializes in on-demand flower delivery services. Founded in 2014, it offers fresh flowers and seasonal stems tailored for various occasions, including handcrafted bouquets for businesses and personal gifts. The company emphasizes a thoughtful gifting experience by providing personalized notes and care instructions with each delivery. UrbanStems also features a subscription service for regular flower deliveries, ensuring convenience for its customers. Its services are available through an online portal and a mobile application, catering to customers in cities such as New York, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. The company is committed to delivering quality floral arrangements promptly, often within minutes of order placement, and includes free shipping with every delivery.

Framebridge

Series C in 2018
Framebridge is a custom framing startup that provides an online custom framing service. The company has tackled the painful, inconvenient and costly process of custom framing an item, replacing it with an experience that places the customer first. Through a tech-forward experience and an obsessive focus on quality and materials, they have introduced a new generation of customers to the tradition of custom manufacturing. Framebridge customers can choose from a curated selection of on-trend frame styles, then upload their photos to the Framebridge website, or ship their items directly to Framebridge in prepaid packaging. The expert team at Framebridge will receive their items and handcraft beautiful custom frames to each customer's exact specifications. The finished pieces ship directly to consumers, arriving in days, ready to hang. Framebridge's transparent pricing, which is determined by the size of each item, begins at $39 and includes free shipping. Framebridge launched in 2014 as a solution to founder Susan Tynan’s ongoing frustration over getting her travel art custom framed. Framebridge investors include New Enterprise Associates (NEA), Revolution Ventures, and SWaN & Legend Venture Partners, as well as seasoned retail and technology executives with industry experience at Crate & Barrel, Rent the Runway, and LivingSocial. The company is headquartered in Washington, DC and operates manufacturing facilities in Richmond, KY, and Lanham, MD.

Framebridge

Series B in 2017
Framebridge is a custom framing startup that provides an online custom framing service. The company has tackled the painful, inconvenient and costly process of custom framing an item, replacing it with an experience that places the customer first. Through a tech-forward experience and an obsessive focus on quality and materials, they have introduced a new generation of customers to the tradition of custom manufacturing. Framebridge customers can choose from a curated selection of on-trend frame styles, then upload their photos to the Framebridge website, or ship their items directly to Framebridge in prepaid packaging. The expert team at Framebridge will receive their items and handcraft beautiful custom frames to each customer's exact specifications. The finished pieces ship directly to consumers, arriving in days, ready to hang. Framebridge's transparent pricing, which is determined by the size of each item, begins at $39 and includes free shipping. Framebridge launched in 2014 as a solution to founder Susan Tynan’s ongoing frustration over getting her travel art custom framed. Framebridge investors include New Enterprise Associates (NEA), Revolution Ventures, and SWaN & Legend Venture Partners, as well as seasoned retail and technology executives with industry experience at Crate & Barrel, Rent the Runway, and LivingSocial. The company is headquartered in Washington, DC and operates manufacturing facilities in Richmond, KY, and Lanham, MD.

Cava Group

Series C in 2017
Cava Group, Inc. is a culinary brand that operates a chain of Greek and Mediterranean restaurants, offering a diverse menu that includes salads, dips, spreads, toppings, and dressings. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Washington, District of Columbia, the company focuses on providing modern and authentic Mediterranean cuisine through its fast-casual dining establishments. Cava Group also emphasizes a digital platform that allows customers to order and enjoy Mediterranean food in both physical and online environments. The company has established strategic partnerships with organizations such as the Garden School Foundation and Urban Roots, enhancing its community engagement and outreach efforts.

Optoro

Series D in 2016
Optoro, Inc. operates a robust reverse logistics platform aimed at managing distressed inventory for retailers, manufacturers, and third-party providers. Established in 2004 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., with an additional location in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, Optoro specializes in asset recovery solutions, facilitating the remarketing of customer returns, overstock, and refurbished products through various online channels. The company offers a comprehensive returns management system that encompasses the entire returns lifecycle, from initiation to resale, while also providing inventory management services including warehousing, fulfillment, and eco-friendly disposal. By leveraging data analytics and multi-channel marketing, Optoro enables clients to optimize the recovery of returned and excess inventory, thereby minimizing environmental waste and enhancing operational efficiency. The company serves a diverse clientele both in the United States and internationally.

UrbanStems

Series A in 2016
UrbanStems Inc. is a Washington, D.C.-based company that specializes in on-demand flower delivery services. Founded in 2014, it offers fresh flowers and seasonal stems tailored for various occasions, including handcrafted bouquets for businesses and personal gifts. The company emphasizes a thoughtful gifting experience by providing personalized notes and care instructions with each delivery. UrbanStems also features a subscription service for regular flower deliveries, ensuring convenience for its customers. Its services are available through an online portal and a mobile application, catering to customers in cities such as New York, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. The company is committed to delivering quality floral arrangements promptly, often within minutes of order placement, and includes free shipping with every delivery.

Framebridge

Series A in 2016
Framebridge is a custom framing startup that provides an online custom framing service. The company has tackled the painful, inconvenient and costly process of custom framing an item, replacing it with an experience that places the customer first. Through a tech-forward experience and an obsessive focus on quality and materials, they have introduced a new generation of customers to the tradition of custom manufacturing. Framebridge customers can choose from a curated selection of on-trend frame styles, then upload their photos to the Framebridge website, or ship their items directly to Framebridge in prepaid packaging. The expert team at Framebridge will receive their items and handcraft beautiful custom frames to each customer's exact specifications. The finished pieces ship directly to consumers, arriving in days, ready to hang. Framebridge's transparent pricing, which is determined by the size of each item, begins at $39 and includes free shipping. Framebridge launched in 2014 as a solution to founder Susan Tynan’s ongoing frustration over getting her travel art custom framed. Framebridge investors include New Enterprise Associates (NEA), Revolution Ventures, and SWaN & Legend Venture Partners, as well as seasoned retail and technology executives with industry experience at Crate & Barrel, Rent the Runway, and LivingSocial. The company is headquartered in Washington, DC and operates manufacturing facilities in Richmond, KY, and Lanham, MD.

Cava Group

Series B in 2015
Cava Group, Inc. is a culinary brand that operates a chain of Greek and Mediterranean restaurants, offering a diverse menu that includes salads, dips, spreads, toppings, and dressings. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Washington, District of Columbia, the company focuses on providing modern and authentic Mediterranean cuisine through its fast-casual dining establishments. Cava Group also emphasizes a digital platform that allows customers to order and enjoy Mediterranean food in both physical and online environments. The company has established strategic partnerships with organizations such as the Garden School Foundation and Urban Roots, enhancing its community engagement and outreach efforts.

Quad Learning

Debt Financing in 2015
Quad Learning, Inc., operating as American Honors, was founded in 2012 and is based in Washington, D.C. The company focuses on creating more affordable pathways for students seeking to complete their bachelor's degrees at prestigious institutions. It develops a two-year honors program tailored for high-achieving students, offering essential academic support and personalized advising services, including course planning and career exploration. Additionally, Quad Learning collaborates with community colleges to deliver this competitive program, providing marketing strategies, recruitment, selective admissions, and faculty development services. The company also features an online learning platform, enhancing the educational experience for students and facilitating their transition to four-year universities.

Cava Group

Series A in 2015
Cava Group, Inc. is a culinary brand that operates a chain of Greek and Mediterranean restaurants, offering a diverse menu that includes salads, dips, spreads, toppings, and dressings. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Washington, District of Columbia, the company focuses on providing modern and authentic Mediterranean cuisine through its fast-casual dining establishments. Cava Group also emphasizes a digital platform that allows customers to order and enjoy Mediterranean food in both physical and online environments. The company has established strategic partnerships with organizations such as the Garden School Foundation and Urban Roots, enhancing its community engagement and outreach efforts.

Optoro

Series C in 2014
Optoro, Inc. operates a robust reverse logistics platform aimed at managing distressed inventory for retailers, manufacturers, and third-party providers. Established in 2004 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., with an additional location in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, Optoro specializes in asset recovery solutions, facilitating the remarketing of customer returns, overstock, and refurbished products through various online channels. The company offers a comprehensive returns management system that encompasses the entire returns lifecycle, from initiation to resale, while also providing inventory management services including warehousing, fulfillment, and eco-friendly disposal. By leveraging data analytics and multi-channel marketing, Optoro enables clients to optimize the recovery of returned and excess inventory, thereby minimizing environmental waste and enhancing operational efficiency. The company serves a diverse clientele both in the United States and internationally.

Quad Learning

Series B in 2014
Quad Learning, Inc., operating as American Honors, was founded in 2012 and is based in Washington, D.C. The company focuses on creating more affordable pathways for students seeking to complete their bachelor's degrees at prestigious institutions. It develops a two-year honors program tailored for high-achieving students, offering essential academic support and personalized advising services, including course planning and career exploration. Additionally, Quad Learning collaborates with community colleges to deliver this competitive program, providing marketing strategies, recruitment, selective admissions, and faculty development services. The company also features an online learning platform, enhancing the educational experience for students and facilitating their transition to four-year universities.

Optoro

Series B in 2013
Optoro, Inc. operates a robust reverse logistics platform aimed at managing distressed inventory for retailers, manufacturers, and third-party providers. Established in 2004 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., with an additional location in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, Optoro specializes in asset recovery solutions, facilitating the remarketing of customer returns, overstock, and refurbished products through various online channels. The company offers a comprehensive returns management system that encompasses the entire returns lifecycle, from initiation to resale, while also providing inventory management services including warehousing, fulfillment, and eco-friendly disposal. By leveraging data analytics and multi-channel marketing, Optoro enables clients to optimize the recovery of returned and excess inventory, thereby minimizing environmental waste and enhancing operational efficiency. The company serves a diverse clientele both in the United States and internationally.
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