Quirky, a New York-based product invention platform, raised $79m in Series D funding.
Backers included GE (NYSE:GE), Andreessen Horowitz, Norwest Venture Partners, RRE, and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers.
Along with the funding, Quirky has partnered with GE to release a line of smart home products. As part of the partnership, GE will take a minority equity stake in Quirky with a strategic investment of $30m, plus services, will help to promote the products, support the WINK platform (the app that allows consumers to access a range of connected devices anytime from mobile devices) and develop several premium countertop appliances.
Founded in 2009 by Ben Kaufman, CEO, Quirky designs and builds consumer products invented by a global community of users. Anyone can participate by submitting product ideas or voting and influencing other people’s product ideas on Quirky.com in real time.
Products are available directly from Quirky.com and through national retail partnerships with The Home Depot, Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, and Amazon.com.
The company, which has raised $175 million in funding to date, is hiring in NYC and SF.
FinSMEs
14/11/2013
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07/09/2012: Quirky Raises $68M in Series C Funding