25 Fast Growing DTC Startups & Companies to Watch in 2024

DTC startups are expected to increase as more money enters the eCommerce field, and incumbent DTC brands continue to extend their existing market.

DTC (Direct-to-Consumer) retail is no longer reserved for digitally native brands.

Traditional merchants are likewise implementing similar techniques, particularly as they seek to compete in a post-pandemic society.

In the United States alone, digitally native businesses are expected to generate $44 billion in sales by 2023, while established DTC brands will generate $138 billion.

While the majority of the top DTC trends from 2023 will continue into 2024, there are some new developing trends that companies should be aware of.

Understanding these trends will help your organization begin and sustain its DTC strategy in 2024 and beyond.

In this post, you’ll discover more about 25 fast growing DTC startups and what DTC brands to watch this year.

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What is a Direct-to-Consumer Model?
25 Fast Growing DTC Startups & Companies to Watch in 2024
What Makes a DTC Startup Successful?
FAQs
Conclusion
References
Recommendations

What is a Direct-to-Consumer Model?

DTC existed before the pandemic, but it underwent a tremendous boom when it prompted a significant shift in consumer purchasing behavior.

Direct-to-consumer refers to a retail approach in which brand makers sell their products directly to clients rather than through intermediaries such as department store chains or online merchants.

It sounds simple, yet it requires brands to gain a better understanding of their customers.

It entails managing order fulfillment, last-mile delivery, product returns, and customer service.

For large and established businesses, it required additional resources and more labor than merely managing retail partners.

Despite the hurdles, an increasing number of firms are moving direct-to-consumer, and many of them are successful.

25 Fast Growing DTC Startups & Companies to Watch in 2024

We’ve compiled a list of 25 fast growing DTC startups. Continue reading to discover about the firms propelling the DTC sector ahead.

1. Lovevery

Five-year search growth: 1,043%.

Search growth status: Exploding.

Year founded: 2015.

Location: Boise, Idaho.

Funding: $126 Million (Series C)

What they do: Lovevery provides educational toys for babies and toddlers. Its core offering, The Play Kits, is a subscription service that delivers curated game kits every 2-3 months.

The company claims to have over 125,000 active subscribers for its main offering alone.

Lovevery recently raised another $100 million in a series C fundraising round, which they hope to use to expand their global footprint, as well as their digital expansion and content.

2. Athletic Brewing

5-year search growth rate: 4,900%

Search growth status: Exploding.

Year founded: 2017.

Location: Stratford, Connecticut.

Funding: $236 million (series unknown).

What they do: Athletic Brewing produces non-alcoholic craft beer. This company is one of the startups that offers six beer styles, including IPA and lager. The company has lately moved into the seltzer sector.

3. Oura

5-year search growth: 467%

Search growth status: Exploding.

Year founded: 2013.

Location: Oulu, Finland.

Funding: $148.3 million (series unknown).

What they do: Oura is a wearable ring that monitors health parameters. During the day, it tracks activity, calorie intake, and naps.

The ring measures your heart rate, body temperature, and general sleep quality during sleep. Unlike other fitness trackers, the tiny device weighs less than 0.21 ounces (6 grams) and has a battery life of up to a week.

4. Elvie

5-year search growth: 213%

Search Growth Status: Regular

Year founded: 2013.

Location: London, England.

Funding: $151.9 Million (Series C)

What they do: Elvie creates health-tech products for women. The startup’s offerings vary from nursing solutions to pelvic floor exercisers.

Elvie’s devices connect to smartphones, allowing for remote control and tracking capabilities.

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5. The Farmer’s Dog

5-year search growth: 440%

Search growth status: Exploding.

Year founded: 2014.

Location: New York, NY.

Funding: $103.1 million (Series C).

What they do: The Farmer’s Dog delivers fresh pet food. Meals are tailored depending on a survey that the pet owner completes during the onboarding process.

The firm claims to have delivered more than 100 million meals to date.

6. Bloom & Wild

5-year search growth: -9 percent

Search growth status: peaked.

Year founded: 2013.

Location: London, United Kingdom.

Funding: $185.6 million (Series D).

Bloom & Wild is a floral delivery business. The company presently ships to five European nations.

Flowers come in bud form to maintain freshness, and their unusual packaging allows them to be sent to a mailbox.

7. Misen

5-year search growth rate: -39%.

Search growth status: peaked.

Year founded: 2015. Location: Brooklyn, New York.

Funding: $7 million (series unknown).

Misen sells knives and kitchenware online. Misen’s kitchen utensils are marketed as premium but priced lower than many other premium kitchen brands. All goods have a 60-day trial and a lifetime warranty.

8. Misfits Market

5-year search growth: 111%

Search growth status: peaked.

Year founded: 2018.

Location: Pennsauken, New Jersey.

funding: $526.5 million (Series C)

Misfits Market operates a subscription box service for organic produce. The company sources fruits and vegetables that do not match retail standards (especially those with unusual shapes).

The business argues that this strategy helps combat food waste and allows for lower produce pricing than those available in grocery stores.

9. Trinny London

5-year search growth: 90%

Search growth status: peaked.

Year founded: 2017.

Location: London, United Kingdom.

Funding: Undisclosed (Series unknown).

Trinny London is a direct-to-consumer cosmetics brand that specializes in makeup. The beauty line features 27 products, each of which comes in various shades.

The eCommerce-focused firm also sells hybrid skincare, makeup, and accessories.

10. Kristin Ess Hair

Five-year search growth: 99x+

Search growth status: Exploding.

Year founded: 2017. Location: New York, NY.

Funding: Not disclosed.

What they do: This DTC startup is a luxury haircare and styling brand founded by famous hair stylist Kristin Ess.

The company is well-known for its natural, cruelty-free, and vegan shampoos, conditioners, styling tools, and accessories.

Kristin Ess hair products include Zip-Up Technology, a proprietary strengthening component that targets weak regions of the hair, repairs split ends, and protects the hair’s surface.

11. Prose

Five-year search growth: 208%.

Search Growth Status: Regular

Year founded: 2017. Location: New York, NY.

Funding: $25 Million (Series B)

Prose sells customized hair care products. The brand provides customizable formulae for its eight basic products, as well as a range of supplements for hair development and scalp health.

12. Hungryroot

Five-year search growth: 181%

Search growth status: Exploding.

Year founded: 2015. Location: New York, NY.

Funding: $75.4 million (Series C).

What they do: Hungryroot provides groceries subscription services. Customers complete an onboarding quiz regarding their dining habits and dietary constraints.

The website then makes recommendations for a grocery plan. Hungroot sources only items that are free of artificial sweeteners, colors, and preservatives. All groceries come with associated recipes.

13. Wyze

Five-year search growth: 130%.

Search Growth Status: Regular

Year founded: 2017.

Location: Kirkland, Washington.

Funding: $155 million (Series B).

Wyze develops consumer electronics. The company’s products include smart cameras, linked home devices, and health-related gadgets. The DTC brand caters to the mass-market segment at reasonable prices.

14. Sakuraco

Search growth in 5 years: 6,800%.

Search Growth Status: Regular Year founded: 2015.

Location: Tokyo, Japan.

Funding: Not disclosed.

Sakuraco is a Japanese subscription box business that specializes in Japanese snacks. The firm differentiates itself by providing seasonal delights to customers, ensuring that each box is unique.

Sakuraco’s authentic snacks have helped it gain popularity on social media. TikTok videos mentioning the startup have received more than 520 million views.

15. Rowing Blazers

Five-year search growth: 1,900%

Search growth status: peaked.

Year founded: 2016.

Location: New York, NY.

Funding: $3.3 million (seed).

What they do: Rowing Blazers is an American fashion label. The brand began as a menswear label but has since grown into womenswear.

Apparel designs are “reinvented classics” with streetwear inspiration. The company has a history of partnerships and collaborations with well-known brands, including the NBA.

16. Send Eats

5-year search growth rate: 207%

Search Growth Status: Regular

Year founded: 2019.

Location: Plano, Texas

Funding: Not disclosed.

What they do: Send Eats is a direct-to-consumer food delivery service that allows clients to purchase meals from a number of local restaurants and have them delivered to their doorstep immediately.

Send Eats prioritizes convenience and customer happiness, providing a fluid online ordering experience and quick delivery timeframes.

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17. By Humankind

Five-year search growth: 132%.

Search growth status: Exploding.

Year founded: 2018.

Location: New York, NY.

Funding: $4 million (Seed).

What they do: By Humankind creates sustainable personal care products with reduced amounts of plastic and refillable alternatives.

The DTC startup’s product line includes most hygiene needs, such as toothpaste and deodorant.

Toothpaste tables are delivered in a refillable glass container (with more tables available in compostable pouches).

18. DRMTLGY

5-year search growth rate: 4,900%

Search growth status: Exploding.

Year founded: 2017.

Location: Los Angeles, California.

Funding: Not disclosed.

What they do: DRMTLGY is a medical-grade skincare business that sells sunscreens, moisturizers, serums, and more.

The brand’s products contain hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, pumpkin fruit extract, and peptides to provide the finest sun protection. All DRMTLGY goods are made in California and Korea.

19. YFood

5-year search growth: 656%

Search growth status: Exploding.

Year founded: 2017.

Location: Munich, Germany.

Funding: $252 million (corporate round).

What they do: YFood makes meal replacement products. The current product portfolio consists of three types of meal replacements: ready-to-drink meals, powders and bars.

Drinks include a balanced macronutrient profile, with 33g of protein in each 16.9 oz cup. YFood promises that each meal replacement provides hunger relief for up to 5 hours.

20. Gousto

5-year search growth rate: 55%

Search Growth Status: Regular

Year founded: 2012.

Location: London, United Kingdom.

Funding: $675.7 million (debt financing).

What they do: This DTC startup is a meal kit delivery startup. Customers can choose from a weekly menu that includes over 50 recipes.

In 2020, the company delivered 5 million meals each month, a 2x increase over the previous year.

21. Magic Spoon

Five-year search growth: 1,567%

Search Growth Status: Regular

Year founded: 2019.

Location: Brooklyn, New York.

Funding: $120.8 million (Series B).

Magic Spoon offers keto-friendly morning cereals. Each serving provides 13-14 grams of protein and up to 15 grams of carbs.

This DTC brand presently offers six tastes, ranging from fruity to cinnamon.

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22. Versed

5-year search growth rate: 56%

Search Growth Status: Regular

Year founded: 2018.

Location: West Hollywood, California.

Funding: Not disclosed (Series A).

What they do: Versed is a vegan skincare line. Their product line contains 42 different SKUs, including those specifically developed to minimize dryness and apparent indications of aging.

The company’s products contain non-toxic components and are cruelty-free.

23. Jüsto

Five-year search growth: 600%

Search Growth Status: Regular

Year founded: 2019.

Location: Mexico City, Mexico

funding: $244 million (non-equity assistance)

What they do: Jüsto operates an online grocery store. The company avoids retail intermediaries and works directly with suppliers.

The delivery service is presently only available in limited locations of Mexico.

24. Pair Eyewear

Search growth in 5 years: 8,900%.

Search growth status: Exploding.

Year founded: 2017.

Location: New York, NY.

Funding: $149.5 million (Series C).

What they do: Pair Eyewear is a direct-to-consumer eyewear firm that specializes on spectacles for children.

What distinguishes them from Warby Parker is the great level of customization possible.

In addition to regular VC finance, the company secured an agreement with “Shark” Lori Greiner from Shark Tank.

25. Little Sleepies

5-year search growth rate: 7,100%

Search Growth Status: Regular

Year founded: 2016.

Location: Los Angeles, California.

Funding: Not disclosed.

Little Sleepies sells sleepwear to babies, children, and adults. The fabric is comprised of bamboo viscose, so it has a pleasant touch.

Little Sleepies’ product line comprises pajamas for babies up to 14-year-olds. The brand also offers a few family sets with adult sizing options.

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What Makes a DTC Startup Successful?

The success of a direct-to-consumer DTC startup hinges on several key factors.

Firstly, a strong brand identity with a compelling story and consistent visuals helps differentiate the startup in a crowded market. High-quality, innovative products that address specific customer needs are crucial.

A customer-centric approach emphasizing excellent service, personalized experiences, and easy returns fosters loyalty and satisfaction.

Effective digital marketing is vital for reaching and engaging the target audience. Social media, influencer partnerships, content marketing, and SEO can create buzz and build a loyal customer base.

Data-driven decision-making allows startups to understand customer behaviour and preferences, optimizing their offerings and marketing strategies accordingly.

Building direct customer relationships enables valuable feedback and community creation around the brand.

An efficient supply chain and logistics system ensures timely delivery and cost minimization.

Innovative business models like subscriptions and customization options attract and retain customers, offering unique value propositions.

FAQs

What criteria are used to identify fast-growing DTC startups and companies?

Fast-growing DTC startups and companies are typically identified based on several criteria, including revenue growth, market presence, innovation in product or business model, customer base expansion, and significant investment or funding.

Which industries are these fast-growing DTC startups and companies primarily involved in?

These startups and companies span various industries, including fashion and apparel, beauty and skincare, health and wellness, food and beverage, home goods, and technology.

What are some examples of innovative business models used by these DTC startups?

Innovative business models among these DTC startups include subscription services, personalized products, limited-time offers, and direct-to-consumer sales through online platforms.

How do these startups leverage digital marketing to fuel their growth?

These DTC startups leverage digital marketing through social media campaigns, influencer partnerships, content marketing, and targeted advertising.

What role does sustainability play in the growth of these DTC startups?

Sustainability plays a significant role in the growth of many DTC companies, as consumers increasingly prioritize eco-friendly and ethically produced products.

Conclusion

This concludes our list of 25 fast growing DTC startups. From beauty to meal replacements, DTC firms excel at creating high-quality items in their specialty and and getting right in front of their target audience.

With continued E Commerce adoption worldwide, we may expect more top DTC brands to emerge.