Manatt’s Digital and Technology Consulting team recently advised pro bono client Love, Vera—a consumer packaged goods brand led by minority founders—in the company’s efforts to gain access to resources and networks to raise investment capital, to which minority and women founders typically have disproportionately low access.
Love, Vera is an intimate apparel brand focused on bringing diversity and inclusivity to the luxury lingerie market and increasing the representation of Black women in the space. With the opportunity to exponentially grow the brand through extended wholesale partnerships, new design collections and a revamped marketing strategy, the company was in need of fresh capital. Given the current macroeconomic environment and the niche industry space, the brand encountered challenges in gaining access to the right people and resources to raise funds from capital markets for the first time. The company’s previous efforts had been completely bootstrapped.
Our work included identifying potential investors that fit the target profile for the size, stage and industry of Love, Vera. We also advised on various funding structures to help broaden the scope of potential investors and alleviate the founders’ concerns regarding conceding away too much equity at such an early stage of the company. In addition to advising on fundraising strategy, we provided guidance in several operational areas to help improve the company’s cash flow, sales traction and pipeline. As demonstrated by our work with Love, Vera, Manatt’s innovative approach to providing pro bono consulting services is focused on bringing inclusiveness to underrepresented market segments.
The Manatt team included David Frisbey and Jennifer Millard.
Learn more about Love, Vera here.