Many of the best known start-ups have mythic origin stories with dedicated founders staking their careers and personal savings on a beloved idea. These days, however, it may be just a likely that a burgeoning start-up locked in significant financial backing before even getting off of the ground. Here are seven start-ups that took their big time idea and scored big time funding as well.
Nomad Health’s Nursing Platfrom
Nomad Health has extended its platform for short-term medical jobs to nurses. The company has already found success in the jobs marketplace by pairing physicians and other medical professionals with short term employment in places where there is a need. The new platform will now offer similar services to nurses and the company hopes to have the program rolled out by the end of this year. With the move they are hoping to create more flexibility in the nursing job market, which is expected to see a shortage of 1.2 million nurses by 2022.
Vegan Sports Drink
Revere, a vegan sports drink that comes in pre and post-workout formulas, has raised over $2 million in an initial round of funding. The company works in a direct-to-consumer model and will now be funded by Lerer Hippeau Ventures, in participation with Sterling VC and Brand Foundry Ventures. In addition to their vegan status, the products also contain no soy, genetically modified organisms, fillers, artificial sweeteners or chemicals.
‘Uber’ for Garbage
Recycle Track, a New York-based recycling tech firm, has raised nearly $12 million in an initial round of funding. Their main partner in the deal is Volition Capital and plan to use the added funding to extend their growing reach in the waste management marketplace. The company uses a mobile app to allow customers the ability to schedule pickup of trash and other heavy waste on demand. They already have clients including Whole Foods, WeWork and Soul Cycle.
Chinese Bike Sharing
A bike sharing startup in China name Ofo has raised $700 million towards its expansion globally. The firm will accept funding from Alibaba Group, Hony Capital as well as CITIC Private Equity and they join previous investors including Didi Chuxing and DST Global. Ofo currently has 5 million users in China and currently in a slow expansion in the US, UK and Singapore. Part of the new funding will also be put towards user experience upgrades and investments within the Chinese market.
Vet House Calls
A startup that brings veterinarians into private homes for house calls locked in $3.3 million in an A round of funding. The firm, called Vetted, has found partners in Foundation Capital, with Amplify LA, Sterling.VC and Reimagined Ventures. The service brings vets to the home for all standard services without the need for transporting pets from the home. Rates start at $99 for regular checkups but a $49 monthly service is also offered as an ongoing health plan.
Indoor Farming
A startup called Plenty has secured $200 million in venture capital for its new vertical farming technology. The technology allows for the growth of leaves, vegetables and fruits and Plenty claims it works more efficiently than traditional farming methods. This round of funding was spearheaded by Masayoshi Son of SoftBank Vision Fund, Amazon Chief Jeff Bezos through Innovation Endeavors and Bezos Expeditions and Eric Schmidt of Alphabet. The farming method uses no pesticides as it is all indoors and also uses less water.
Alcohol Delivery
An alcohol on-demand startup called Saucey has raised $5.4 million in a series A funding. The firm currently has 25 full-time employees and 2,300 curriers that deliver beer, wine and spirits Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Chicago. Their new funding will come via Bullpen Capital with Blumberg Capital, Structure Capital, and HashtagOne. The firm works with local retailers to undercut brick and mortar prices.
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