Zulily
Facts
- HQ
- Seattle
- Sectors
- E-commerce, Retail, Consumer Goods
Maveron Seeks Chief of Staff for General Partner Dan Levitan in Intense Two-Year Role
Venture capital firm Maveron is hiring a Chief of Staff to support General Partner Dan Levitan in a demanding, two-year role involving high-level execution and strategy. Applications are due by February 6, 2026, with the firm emphasizing transparency and careful review in the selection process.
Rad Power Bikes Appoints Angelina Smith as CEO Amid Chapter 11 Bankruptcy with $73M Liabilities
Rad Power Bikes named Angelina Smith as CEO amid Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, marking the company's fourth CEO change in three years. The Seattle-based e-bike maker filed for bankruptcy due to declining revenues and economic challenges following a pandemic-era sales boom.
Rad Power Bikes Faces Potential Shutdown by January 2026 Amid Financial Struggles and Job Losses
Rad Power Bikes, a leading Seattle-based e-bike company that reached unicorn status during the pandemic, is facing potential shutdown due to significant financial challenges, with a possible closure impacting 64 jobs as early as January 2026. The company is exploring funding or acquisition options after a promising deal fell through and cites a drop in consumer demand, tariffs, and macroeconomic issues as contributing factors.
Bala Vishwanath Named SeekOut CMO; Zillow’s Chad Cohen and Zulily’s Darrell Cavens Join Grindr and Match Group Boards
Bala Vishwanath joined SeekOut as chief marketing officer, while former Zillow CFO Chad Cohen and ex-Zulily CEO Darrell Cavens joined the boards of Grindr and Match Group, respectively. These appointments highlight leadership changes in prominent Seattle-area tech and dating companies.
Benjamin Dorr Named CEO of WellSaid Labs; Jennifer Weitzel Joins Microsoft as CVP; Jason Ing Becomes Typeface’s First CMO; Tina Walha Heads U.S. Digital Response
Benjamin Dorr became CEO of AI voice startup WellSaid Labs, replacing Brian Cook, while Jennifer Weitzel joined Microsoft as CVP of engineering and construction, Jason Ing became Typeface's first CMO, and Tina Walha was named CEO of U.S. Digital Response.
Seattle Tech Veterans Launch PoulTree, a $20 Stainless Steel Rod for Perfectly Roasted Chicken Cooking
Seattle tech veterans Dave Atchison and Tony Smith co-founded PoulTree, a simple $20 stainless steel rod that allows for evenly roasting a chicken over a cast iron skillet by elevating it for convection cooking without complex gadgets. Their invention emphasizes analog cooking, combining innovative design with straightforward usability, developed and tested in a Seattle workshop.
AI2 Incubator Moves to Historic Pier 70 on Seattle Waterfront, Anchoring Tech Expansion with New AI House
The AI2 Incubator is relocating to Pier 70 on Seattle's waterfront, becoming the anchor tenant in a historic building once home to MTV’s 'Real World,' as part of efforts to attract more tech companies. The incubator, which spun off from the Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence in 2022 and recently raised $30 million, will also establish a new 'AI House' for AI events and collaboration.
The Impact of Venture Capital with Dan Levitan, Co-Founder & Partner of Maveron
This is a condensed version of Shauna Swerland’s 2019 interview with Dan Levitan, the co-founder of the venture capital firm Maveron. Dan started the firm with Howard Schultz in 1998 after helping the Starbucks team accomplish its IPO. Under Dan’s guidance, Maveron focused on “creating a cauldron of consumer passion” by forming partnerships with non-normal entrepreneurs. These partnerships have included brands like Allbirds, Ebay, Lovevery, and Zulily. To learn more about Maveron and the team behind their consumer-focused culture, visit maveron.com. In this recap episode, Dan explains the importance of investing in consumers and relationships, the significance of seeing the…
Seattle Startup Mason Names Webb Stevens as CEO and John Thimsen as CTO, Nancy Xiao Shifts to President
Seattle startup Mason appointed Webb Stevens, former Docker COO, as CEO and John Thimsen, former Qualtrics CTO, as CTO, while Mason's previous CEO Nancy Xiao became president. Additional regional leadership changes include new hires at Beyond, Continuous Composites, and a new venture fund role in Seattle.
2024 GeekWire Awards on May 9 in Seattle to Honor Over 50 Pacific Northwest Tech Innovators
The 2024 GeekWire Awards event will be held on May 9 in Seattle to honor top innovators and leaders in tech from the Pacific Northwest, with over 50 finalists across multiple categories. Tickets are limited and the ceremony features awards, a dinner, and entertainment.
Marcus Lemonis Leads Beyond Inc. to Acquire and Revive Zulily for $4.5 Million After 2023 Liquidation
Marcus Lemonis, entrepreneur and former star of CNBC's "The Profit," is leading Beyond Inc. to revive the struggling e-commerce brand Zulily, which was acquired for $4.5 million after its liquidation in 2023. Zulily, once a high-growth Seattle-based company, declined due to competition and operational issues despite generating significant sales.
Inside the plan to save Zulily, with the star of CNBC's 'The Profit'
This week on the GeekWire Podcast: The rise, fall, and revival of Zulily. We revisit one the most prominent ecommerce brands to come out of Seattle, explain its decline, and consider a plan by Beyond Inc., led by investor and entrepreneur Marcus Lemonis, to acquire its brand assets and relaunch the site. With GeekWire managing editor Taylor Soper and co-founder Todd Bishop. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Marcus Lemonis' Beyond Acquires Zulily for $4.5M, Plans 2023 Relaunch of Former $4B E-Commerce Retailer
Beyond, led by Marcus Lemonis, is acquiring the former online retailer Zulily for $4.5 million and plans to relaunch it later this year. Zulily, once a $4 billion valued flash sales e-commerce company, had previously shut down and laid off hundreds of employees.
Zulily Shuts Seattle Headquarters and Two Warehouses, Laying Off Over 792 Employees in 2023
Zulily is closing its Seattle headquarters and two warehouses in Nevada and Ohio, resulting in layoffs of over 792 employees. The company, recently acquired by Regent private equity, has faced financial difficulties including lawsuits for unpaid invoices and multiple rounds of layoffs in 2023.
Qurate Sells Seattle E-Commerce Retailer Zulily to Private Equity Firm Regent Amid Revenue Declines
Qurate sold Seattle-based e-commerce retailer Zulily to Los Angeles private equity firm Regent after a revenue decline and continued losses, aiming to focus on its core businesses. Regent plans to grow Zulily and help it return to its independent entrepreneurial roots.
Rad Power Bikes Executes Fourth Round of Layoffs Since April 2021 Amid Economic and Legal Challenges
Rad Power Bikes has laid off employees for the fourth time since April 2021, reducing its workforce amid economic challenges and legal issues. The Seattle-based e-bike company now has around 400 employees and is working to become more sustainable under new leadership.
Seattle Identity Verification Startup Vouched Raises $6.3M Led by BHG VC, Zulily Founders Participate
Seattle-based identity verification startup Vouched raised $6.3 million in a funding round led by BHG VC and SpringRock Ventures, with participation from Zulily co-founders Darrell Cavens and Mark Vadon. The company uses AI to verify identities for over 300 financial and healthcare clients and has now raised over $18 million in total.
Rad Power Bikes Conducts Third Layoff in 2023 Amid Economic Downturn and Operational Challenges
Rad Power Bikes is conducting its third round of layoffs in 2023 to reduce costs amid an economic downturn, having previously cut 163 jobs this year from its nearly 500 employees. The Seattle-based company has faced multiple challenges including lawsuits and product recalls, while also recently launching a new three-wheeled electric bike.
Rad Power Bikes CEO Mike Radenbaugh Steps Down, Phil Molyneux Named Successor Amid Company Challenges
Rad Power Bikes CEO Mike Radenbaugh is stepping down and will be replaced by Phil Molyneux, former Sony Electronics president, while Radenbaugh stays on as chairman. The company, valued at $1.65 billion in 2021 and having raised $304 million last year, has faced layoffs, lawsuits, and a large product recall recently.
Deal mania reshuffles GeekWire 200: M&A, IPOs and SPACs push top firms out while Blue Origin stays No. 1
A surge of M&A, IPO and SPAC activity — labeled 'deal mania' — reshuffled the GeekWire 200 rankings, removing several top-10 companies that went public or were acquired and creating openings for new entrants; Blue Origin remains No. 1 while more deal-making and rule changes about private equity-owned companies promise further shake-ups.
Jane Park on SPACs, the immigrant ethos, and brands in the Amazon era
Jane Park, the CEO of newly public Athena Consumer Acquisition Corp., hadn't imagined herself leading a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, before accepting the job. She decided to consider the pitch from venture capitalist Isabelle Freidheim for one reason. “It took some convincing, a little bit. I wasn’t sure if I had the right capabilities. I have always sat on the entrepreneur side. So to be on the acquiring/money side is a new perspective and vantage point for me,” she said. “I don’t think I would have taken the call if it wasn’t the fact that it was an…
Allbirds IPO Raises $300M, Valuing Shoe Brand Near $3B as Shares Surge 60% on Nasdaq Debut
Allbirds, backed early by Maveron, debuted on the Nasdaq after raising $300 million in an IPO that valued the company at about $3 billion; shares jumped 60% on the first trading day. Maveron led a $7.25 million Series A in 2016 and its stake was worth roughly $400 million at the opening price, with the company reporting $219.3 million in 2020 revenue and over eight million pairs sold since launch.
Rad Power Bikes raises $154M after $150M earlier in 2021 to expand retail, service network and operations
Rad Power Bikes raised $154 million in a new financing round after a $150 million infusion in February to expand its e-bike business, grow retail/service locations, and scale operations amid rising demand. The Seattle-based company, with more than 350,000 riders and 625 employees, plans to triple physical locations and speed deliveries to one-week fulfillment in North America.
Game Jolt co-founders Yaprak and David DeCarmine raise $2.6M seed round led by Acequia Capital
Seattle-based Game Jolt, founded by husband-and-wife Yaprak and David DeCarmine, raised a $2.6 million seed round led by Acequia Capital to grow its social platform for Gen Z and Gen Alpha gamers. The platform hosts over 40,000 communities—some with more than 500,000 active members—where users share fan art, gameplay recordings, guides, and reviews.
Former Maveron Investor Jason Stoffer Says He Was Wrong to Pass on Remitly as Company Nears $6.5B IPO
Maveron investor Jason Stoffer passed on investing in Seattle remittance startup Remitly in 2012 due to regulatory and market concerns but now says the company proved him wrong as it prepares a $6.5 billion IPO. Stoffer discusses his analysis of Remitly’s S-1, investing lessons, and related topics on the GeekWire Podcast.
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Mark Vadon Founder, Co-founder
