Chicago’s sneaker brand BucketFeet raises $3.7 million to build up network of artists

by Carlin Sack
June 21, 2014

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BucketFeet, the tech company that blends art and footwear, announced a $3.7 million this week from Bridge Investments, Jumpstart Ventures and others. The investment puts the online retailer’s total amount raised at nearly $6 million since it was founded in 2011; sales have tripled every year since then.

CEO Raaja Nemani said the capital will be used to build up BucketFeet’s network of artists. Artists are the backbone of BucketFeet’s model: the artist-designed footwear gives emerging artists from around the world a platform to share their stories and to reach new consumers.

“While most e-commerce companies are focused on the distribution side of the retail model, we're actually focusing on the customer/user acquisition side,” Nemani said. “We feel that our artist network can drive significant content generation which then is a great driver of commerce.”

As BucketFeet grows, its Chicago roots are still deep: in addition to beefing up its own local team with tech hires over the next six months, it is partnering with Chicago’s flagship music festival Lollapalooza. The co-branded shoe was designed by both teams and will be available in the "Lolla Shop" at Block 37 starting July 25 (and presale starts this week).

Even though BucketFeet sells sneakers in over 20 countries, founder Aaron Firestein said the team is “incredibly proud to be the only sneaker company to have fully launched in this awesome, thriving, entrepreneur-welcoming city.”

Jobs at BucketFeet

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