Queenly

Queenly

Growth Stage

The largest marketplace for formalwear & eventwear for all types of special occasions

The largest marketplace for formalwear & eventwear for all types of special occasions

Overview

Raised to Date: Raised: $45,100

Total Commitments ($USD)

Platform

Wefunder

Start Date

12/14/2023

Close Date

04/29/2024

Min. Goal
$50,000
Max. Goal
$1,235,000
Min. Investment

$100

Security Type

SAFE

Series

Seed

SEC Filing Type

RegCF    Open SEC Filing

Early Bird Val. Cap

$12,600,000

Valuation Cap

$14,000,000

Discount

0%

Rolling Commitments ($USD)

Status
Funded
Reporting Date

05/04/2024

Days Remaining
Funded
% of Min. Goal
Funded
% of Max. Goal
Funded
Likelihood of Max
Funded
Avg. Daily Raise

$332

# of Investors

41

Momentum
Funded
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Year Founded

2018

Industry

Apparel & Fashion

Tech Sector

MarketplaceTech

Distribution Model

B2B/B2C

Margin

Medium

Capital Intensity

Low

Location

San Francisco, California

Business Type

High Growth

Queenly, with a valuation of $14 million, is raising funds on Wefunder. The company has developed a marketplace for formalwear and eventwear for all special occasions. Queenly empowers users to buy and sell their formalwear, giving dresses a second chance to shine and making them accessible to everyone. The platform has over 1 million users and grew in sales year-over-year with a return rate of only 2%. Trisha Bantigue founded Queenly in January 2018. The current crowdfunding campaign has a minimum target of $50,000 and a maximum target of $1.23 million. The campaign proceeds will be used for hiring, marketing, and building out partnerships.

Summary Profit and Loss Statement

FY 2022 FY 2021

Revenue

$200,799

$90,143

COGS

$165,624

$51,614

Tax

$0

$0

 

 

Net Income

$-3,286,004

$-1,575,209

Summary Balance Sheet

FY 2022 FY 2021

Cash

$2,717,545

$5,223,627

Accounts Receivable

$4,306

$0

Total Assets

$2,843,885

$5,295,316

Short-Term Debt

$34,336

$209,190

Long-Term Debt

$1,002,083

$0

Total Liabilities

$1,036,419

$209,190

Financials as of: 12/14/2023
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Founder Profile

Queenly: The Start-Up Changing How We Buy and Sell Formal Dresses

Trisha Bantigue, CEO and co-founder of Queenly, is on a mission to revolutionize the formalwear industry. Queenly, a marketplace for dresses, aims to make high-end fashion accessible to everyone, particularly those who dream of owning a “Cinderella” dress but find it out of reach. In this founder profile, Bantigue discusses her journey from participating in pageants to fund her education at UC Berkeley to leading a technology-driven platform reshaping the formalwear landscape.


Read Founder Interview

Analyst Report

Synopsis

The fashion industry is notorious for its wastefulness, with a significant environmental impact due to the production and disposal of clothing. The U.S. second-hand apparel market presents an opportunity to mitigate this by extending the lifecycle of garments. Queenly Inc. has positioned itself strategically within this market, focusing on a niche yet significant segment: formalwear and eventwear.

Queenly's platform is a testament to the growing trend of conscious consumerism, where sustainability is not just a buzzword but a driving force behind purchase decisions. With a staggering 1 million users and a remarkable year-over-year sales growth, Queenly has established a robust marketplace. The platform's low % clothing return rate of 2% reflects customer satisfaction and the efficiency of Queenly's system in matching buyers with the right products.

Queenly's mission extends beyond commerce; it is about empowerment and inclusivity. By providing a platform for users to buy and sell formalwear, Queenly ensures that high-quality dresses are accessible to a broader audience, promoting sustainable fashion practices. The company's innovative approach, which combines AI-driven technology with a passion for sustainability, has resonated with today's eco-conscious consumers.

Supported by notable venture capital investors such as Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Interlace Ventures, and The House Fund, and having participated in the prestigious YCombinator accelerator program, Queenly has a strong foundation for further growth. The company's plans to use the proceeds from its current fundraising campaign on Wefunder for hiring, marketing, and building partnerships indicate a forward-thinking strategy aimed at scaling the business and solidifying its position in the market.

With a valuation cap of $14 million, Queenly is seeking to raise funds that will enable it to continue its trajectory of growth and innovation within the second-hand apparel industry. The company's commitment to redefining formalwear fashion while contributing positively to the environment makes it a compelling proposition for potential investors looking to make an impact with their investments.

Next Section: Price

Price

Queenly is currently valued at $14 million and is raising funds on Wefunder through a SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity), which does not immediately place a value on the shares but instead uses a valuation cap. The valuation cap set for Queenly is also $14 million, indicating that investors in this round will have their investment convert into equity at this valuation or lower, should a subsequent financing round occur at a lower valuation.

The company's revenue multiple of 69.72x is high, especially when considering the company's last fiscal year-end revenue of $200,799. This high revenue multiple suggests that Queenly is overvalued when looking at current financials. However, it's important to consider the high growth rate of 122.75% year-over-year, which may justify a higher valuation if this growth can be sustained or accelerated. Queenly's strong user base of over 1 million passionate users and a low clothing return rate of only 2% indicates a solid product-market fit and operational efficiency.

Last but not least, Investors should also consider the high caliber of venture capital backers, including Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and Y Combinator, which suggests a strong vote of confidence in Queenly's business model and future prospects. Since Queenly already raised $7.6 million, a valuation cap of $14 million is understandable.

Next Section: Market

Market

The apparel and fashion industry is undergoing a significant shift driven by sustainability concerns. Queenly Inc. operates within a specialized segment of this industry, focusing on formalwear and eventwear. This niche market is part of the broader U.S. secondhand apparel market, which has shown a considerable appetite for growth. The growing popularity of eco-fashion, the increasing penetration of the internet and online shopping platforms, and the cost-effective nature of secondhand clothes are some key factors propelling the market forward, with a notable addressable market size of approximately $21.37 billion.

Queenly is well-positioned in a market where consumers are increasingly aware of the industry's environmental impact. The fashion sector is responsible for more than 10% of global carbon emissions, creating a demand for sustainable alternatives. Queenly's marketplace aligns with the sustainable fashion movement, which aims to reduce pollution, combat climate change, and address unethical labor practices by promoting the recycling of worn and unwanted clothes. This practice extends the life cycle of garments and significantly cuts down on waste sent to landfills.

Moreover, Queenly's growth is highlighted by its substantial user base of over 1 million users and a low % clothing return rate of only 2%, indicating high market acceptance and customer satisfaction. The secondary apparel market in the U.S. is expanding at a rapid CAGR of 14.8%, underscoring a high market potential for Queenly. While the competitive landscape is moderately competitive with established competitors like Poshmark, ThredUp, and Vinted, Queenly's niche focus on formalwear creates a unique market position that could enable it to capture a significant share of the market.

With low capital intensity, Queenly has the agility to scale and adapt in this dynamic market. The absence of high market approval or license regulations further streamlines the process for Queenly to expand its offerings and user base. The company's commitment to sustainability, coupled with cutting-edge AI-driven technology, aligns with the current market drivers and trends, making Queenly a noteworthy player in the secondhand apparel market with a substantial opportunity for growth.

Next Section: Team

Team

Queenly, a marketplace for formalwear and eventwear, is co-founded by CEO Trisha Bantigue and CTO Kathy Zhou-Patel. Bantigue is a previous pageant candidate. She brings industry expertise and has a great network to succeed in the formalwear niche. Zhou-Patel is a software engineer with a bachelor's from the University of Pennsylvania. She notably worked at Pinterest before co-founding Queenly, giving us the tools to build an online platform.

Bantigue and Zhou-Patel's participation in the prestigious YCombinator accelerator program is a testament to their potential and the innovative business model of Queenly. This experience has likely provided them with valuable insights and mentorship, which can be crucial for navigating the competitive landscape of the US second-hand apparel market.

Queenly's leadership team has also secured venture capital backing from notable investors such as Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Interlace Ventures, The House Fund, NextView Ventures, Rebel Fund, and Amino Capital. This VC support provides financial resources and adds credibility to the company's growth prospects and strategic direction.

Next Section: Differentiation

Differentiation

Queenly has positioned itself as a specialized player in the online fashion marketplace, focusing on formalwear and eventwear. This niche positioning differentiates it from broader competitors like Poshmark, ThredUp, and Vinted, which offer a wide range of clothing categories. Queenly's specialization allows it to create a unique brand identity and cater to a specific customer base seeking high-quality formal dresses for special occasions.

The company's high Average Order Value (AOV) of approximately $200 indicates its premium product offerings and customer willingness to spend on formalwear. With a substantial user base of over 1 million buyers and sellers, Queenly has demonstrated significant traction in its market segment. Additionally, the platform's low clothing return rate of 2% suggests that customers are satisfied with their purchases, which is an indicator of Queenly's product-market fit and the effectiveness of its quality control measures.

Queenly's innovative use of technology further sets it apart from competitors. The platform's patented reverse-image search algorithm and real-time augmented reality try-on feature enhance the user experience by simplifying the search process and allowing customers to visualize how a dress would look on them without the need for a physical fitting. Such technological advancements are not commonly found in the second-hand apparel market and provide Queenly with a competitive edge.

While Queenly indirectly competes with low-cost formalwear providers like AliExpress and LightintheBox, its value proposition is distinct. Queenly offers a sustainable alternative by giving formal dresses a second life, which resonates with today's environmentally conscious consumers. This sustainability angle and the platform's technology-driven shopping experience appeal to a demographic that values eco-friendliness and innovation.

In summary, Queenly's differentiation lies in its niche focus on formalwear, high AOV, engaged user base, low return rates, and technological innovations. These factors enable Queenly to stand out in a moderately competitive landscape and position the platform as a leading marketplace for women's formalwear.

Next Section: Performance

Performance

Queenly Inc. has demonstrated notable performance in the apparel and fashion industry as a marketplace for formalwear and eventwear. With an impressive Average Order Value (AOV) of approximately $200, Queenly stands out amongst fashion marketplaces, indicating a strong customer willingness to spend on its platform. This is further supported by the platform's substantial user base of over 1 million users engaged in buying and selling, showcasing the company's ability to attract and retain customers.

One of the striking aspects of Queenly's performance is its exceptionally low clothing return rate of only 2%, which is significantly below the industry average, suggesting high customer satisfaction with the quality and fit of the products. The company's innovative use of patented technology, such as a reverse-image search algorithm and real-time augmented reality try-on features, enhances the user experience and likely contributes to this low return rate.

Strategic partnerships with high-profile entities like Netflix's Bridgerton, Miss Universe Organization, and Walmart have been instrumental in bringing new customers to Queenly and differentiating the platform with unique gowns. These partnerships serve as a marketing tool and add value to the platform's offerings, making it more appealing to consumers seeking exclusive and special occasion attire.

Financially, Queenly has raised $7.6 million in prior funding rounds, which has likely supported its growth and technological advancements. The company's most recent fiscal year-end cash and cash equivalents stood at $2.72 million, providing a solid financial base for continued operations. However, the company's monthly burn rate of approximately $273,833 is a concern, considering the most recent cash on hand is $600,000. This burn rate suggests that Queenly may face liquidity challenges in the near future without additional funding or a significant increase in revenue.

Queenly has achieved good annual revenue growth of 122.75%, with annual revenue reported at $200,799. This growth trajectory indicates a good market demand for Queenly's unique value proposition in the second-hand apparel market in the US, which must continue. The company's transactional revenue model, coupled with its B2B/B2C distribution approach, positions it well to capitalize on the growing trend of sustainable fashion and the circular economy.

Overall, Queenly's performance is characterized by high growth, strong customer engagement, and innovative technology use, although it must carefully manage its cash flow to sustain its operations and continue its upward trajectory in a moderately competitive landscape.

Next Section: Risk

Risk

Investing in Queenly Inc. involves several risks that should be carefully considered. As a company in the pre-profit development phase, Queenly is not yet generating profits, which introduces financial risk. Despite having a user base of over 1 million and experiencing significant annual revenue growth of 122.75%, the company reported a net loss of $3,286,004 in the most recent fiscal year, indicating that the current revenue streams are insufficient to cover operating costs.

Queenly operates in a moderately competitive landscape within the US second-hand apparel market, competing directly with established platforms like Poshmark, ThredUp, and Vinted, as well as facing indirect competition from global marketplaces such as AliExpress and LightInTheBox, which both offer affordable fashionwear. This competition may impact Queenly's ability to scale and acquire market share, especially considering the high barriers to entry in the fashion industry.

The company's monthly burn rate of $273,833.67 is substantial relative to its cash on hand, which was reported to be $600,000 most recently. This raises concerns regarding the runway and the need for additional funding soon. If the company cannot secure further capital, it may face challenges in continuing operations at the current scale.

Additionally, Queenly's platform, being transactional in nature, may be vulnerable to fluctuations in consumer demand and spending, particularly in the formalwear and eventwear market, which seasonal and economic factors can influence. A downturn in the market or a shift in consumer preferences could adversely affect Queenly's growth and revenue.

Finally, the valuation cap for Queenly is capped, which may limit the upside potential for investors if the company's valuation significantly increases. This, along with the reported overvaluation based on the revenue multiple 69.72x, suggests that investors should be cautious about the potential return on investment.

Next Section: Bullish Outlook

Bullish Outlook

Queenly has positioned itself as a dominant player in the US second-hand apparel market, a swiftly growing segment within the broader fashion industry. The company's marketplace for formalwear and eventwear aligns perfectly with the rising trend of sustainable fashion and the growing consumer preference for thrifting and second-hand goods. With over 1 million users on its platform, Queenly has demonstrated its capability in scaling user acquisition and maintaining a remarkably low clothing return rate of only 2%. This indicates high customer satisfaction and a successful fit in a typically challenging aspect of online apparel retail.

The good year-over-year sales growth and 122.75% annual revenue growth showcase Queenly's potential to capture a larger share of the market. The company's innovative approach of combining AI-driven technology with a passion for sustainability caters to today's conscious consumers increasingly looking for environmentally friendly shopping options.

Moreover, Queenly's participation in YCombinator, one of the most prestigious accelerator programs, coupled with backing from notable venture capital investors such as Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Interlace Ventures, The House Fund, NextView Ventures, Rebel Fund, and Amino Capital, not only provides the company with valuable resources but also validates its business model and market approach.

Queenly has secured partnerships with high-profile entities such as Netflix's Bridgerton, Miss Universe Organization, and Walmart, which should enhance its market presence and credibility.

Next Section: Bearish Outlook

Bearish Outlook

Queenly operates within the highly competitive second-hand apparel market, facing direct competition from established second-hand players like Poshmark, ThredUp, and Vinted, as well as indirect competition from general online marketplaces like AliExpress and LightintheBox, which both offer affordable formalwear. These competitors have already captured significant market share and have robust logistics, technology, and user bases, which could make it challenging for Queenly to differentiate and scale effectively.

Moreover, the monthly burn rate of $273,833 is substantial relative to the company's cash on hand of $600,000, potentially leading to cash flow issues if not addressed promptly. The current fiscal health of Queenly could become a pressing issue without a significant increase in revenue or additional funding, especially given the need for further investment in hiring, marketing, and partnerships as stated in their campaign proceeds usage. This, coupled with a net income loss of over $3 million, could raise concerns about the company's path to profitability and whether it can justify such a high valuation in the near term.

Next Section: Executive Summary

Executive Summary

Queenly Inc. is positioned at the intersection of technology and fashion, operating as a marketplace for formalwear and eventwear. With a mission to make high-quality dresses accessible to all, Queenly has cultivated a substantial user base of over 1 million and boasts the highest Average Order Value (AOV) amongst fashion marketplaces at approximately $200. The company has also achieved a remarkably low clothing return rate of 2%, indicating strong customer satisfaction and fit accuracy with their live patented technology, including a reverse-image search algorithm and real-time augmented reality try-on.

The global market for second-hand apparel is expanding, driven by the growing popularity of eco-fashion and a shift in consumer behavior towards sustainable and cost-effective clothing options. Queenly is well-positioned to capitalize on these trends, especially considering the fashion industry's significant contribution to carbon emissions and the rising demand for transparency and ethical practices. Second-hand garments offer a solution to these issues, and Queenly's platform facilitates the recycling of worn or unwanted clothing, thereby supporting the sustainable fashion movement.

Queenly has secured partnerships with high-profile entities such as Netflix's Bridgerton, Miss Universe Organization, and Walmart, which should enhance its market presence and credibility. The company competes with other second-hand fashion marketplaces like Poshmark, ThredUp, and Vinted, but its unique value proposition and patented technology set it apart.

With a previous funding round that raised $7.6 million and support from notable VC investors like Andreessen Horowitz and YCombinator, Queenly is in a growth stage, seeking to raise additional funds. The proceeds from the current crowdfunding campaign, with a minimum target of $50,000 and a maximum target of $1.23 million, are earmarked for hiring, marketing, and expanding partnerships to drive market expansion further.

However, the company's high revenue multiple of 69.72x indicates a valuation that may be considered overvalued in its current financials, including a net loss of approximately $3.3 million and a monthly burn rate of $273,833.67. Nonetheless, Queenly's dedication to a scalable and sustainable business model, technological advancements, and market growth potential presents an intriguing opportunity for investors interested in the intersection of tech and eco-conscious fashion.

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Queenly on Wefunder 2023
Platform: Wefunder
Security Type: SAFE
Valuation: $14,000,000

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