In this week’s Retail Dive, Corrine Ruff wrote on the “DNVB University.” In it, she illustrated the influence of Bonobos alumni over a number of the younger brands that began in the DTC era. Care/of, Native, and Rockets of Awesome are but a few companies that launched with the help of former Bonobos employees. She went on to write:
Venture financing is evolving and so are the high growth companies that seek alternatives to traditional venture capital. Recently, Andreessen-Horowitz renounced its VC exemptions to register as a financial advisor. And in a surprising decision by the marketing-savvy group of investors, the shift to financial advisory means a few key changes: regulator personnel hires, employee audits, and perhaps the most impactful evolution – A16Z can no longer advertise its investments on Twitter, LinkedIn, podcasts, or mainstream media. The impact of this pivot may take cycles to recognize. But within another tangent of an evolving industry – Clearbanc who hopes to have an immediate impact on startups in the eCommerce industry and beyond.
With Amazon Prime thriving and competitors like DoorDash, Postmates, Deliv, and even Shipsi competing to democratize last mile for the rest, this form of logistics has landed atop the logistics conversation for the mainstream business media. But surprisingly, competing with Amazon may not be the DTC brand’s chief executive’s greatest priority. Solving for efficient customer acquisition has become a race away from the increasing costs of platforms like Facebook and towards other frontiers.
