Whatnot is a livestream shopping platform that blends community engagement with real-time commerce. Founded in 2019 by Logan Head, the company is headquartered in Marina Del Rey, California, and employs between 201–500 people (as of July 2025).
It enables users to buy, sell, and discover collectibles, apparel, and tech goods through live video streams. With an innovative blend of entertainment and retail, Whatnot has quickly become a leading platform for interactive shopping, appealing to both sellers and buyers worldwide.
What Is Whatnot and What Does It Do?
Whatnot, founded in 2019 by Logan Head, is a livestream shopping platform headquartered in Marina Del Rey, California, with a team of 201-500 employees (as of July 2025). The company offers a dynamic marketplace where users buy and sell collectibles, including sneakers, sports cards, and luxury goods, through real-time video auctions.
By merging entertainment, community interaction, and retail, Whatnot redefines e-commerce for the social generation, fostering trust and excitement between sellers and buyers through live engagement.
How Much Funding Has Whatnot Raised?
*1. Pre-Seed Round* • Amount Raised: $150K
• Date: March 2020
• Motivation: To build and launch the platform’s MVP.
*2. Pre-Seed Round* • Amount Raised: $550K
• Date: February 2020
• Lead Investors: Wonder Ventures
• Motivation: To expand the core team and enhance platform stability.
*3. Seed Round* • Amount Raised: $4M
• Date: December 2020
• Motivation: To accelerate product scaling and acquire initial users.
*4. Series A* • Amount Raised: $20M
• Date: March 2021
• Lead Investors: Andreessen Horowitz
• Motivation: To expand platform features and strengthen U.S. operations.
*5. Series B* • Amount Raised: $50M
• Date: May 2021
• Lead Investors: Y Combinator Continuity Fund
• Motivation: To enter new markets and enhance seller tools.
*6. Series C* • Amount Raised: $150M
• Date: September 2021
• Lead Investors: CapitalG
• Motivation: To broaden product categories and improve user experience.
*7. Series D* • Amount Raised: $260M
• Date: July 2022
• Motivation: To expand global operations and improve fulfillment systems.
*8. Series E* • Amount Raised: $265M
• Date: January 2025
• Lead Investors: Avra, DST Global, Greycroft
• Motivation: To expand into new territories and invest in AI-driven personalization.
Total Funding Raised: $975 Million
Current Valuation: $4.97 Billion (as of January 2025)
Latest Funding Date: January 2025
Key Investors
*1. Greycroft* • Details: A venture capital firm investing in early and growth-stage technology startups.
• Investment Focus Areas: Technology, media, telecommunications.
• Notable Investments: Venmo, The RealReal, Scopely.
*2. DST Global* • Details: Global investment firm specializing in late-stage internet and tech companies.
• Investment Focus Areas: Internet, software, social media.
• Notable Investments: Facebook, Twitter, Alibaba.
*3. Avra* • Details: A venture capital firm focused on innovative and emerging technology startups.
• Investment Focus Areas: Disruptive technologies, AI, and data-driven platforms.
• Notable Investments: Not publicly disclosed.
*4. Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)* • Details: One of Silicon Valley’s most prominent VC firms, backing high-impact startups.
• Investment Focus Areas: Software, fintech, and consumer internet.
• Notable Investments: Facebook, Airbnb, Lyft.
*5. Lightspeed Venture Partners* • Details: Global venture capital firm with a strong focus on early-stage investments.
• Investment Focus Areas: Enterprise, consumer, and healthcare tech.
• Notable Investments: Snapchat, Nest, GrubHub.
Where Is Whatnot’s Headquarters?
Whatnot is headquartered in Marina Del Rey, California, near Los Angeles, a region known for its vibrant creator economy and tech innovation. The location offers access to top-tier digital media talent and influencer communities, which are crucial for the company’s livestream-driven model. This coastal hub also connects Whatnot with strategic investors, entertainment partners, and the evolving e-commerce ecosystem.
What’s Next for Whatnot?
Whatnot aims to expand its live shopping experience globally, targeting regions such as Australia and Europe. The company is exploring AI integration to enhance personalization, fraud detection, and recommendation accuracy. It plans to enter new verticals like art, golf, and vinyl, while strengthening partnerships with creators and sellers.
With a $4.97B valuation and over $3B in annual GMV, Whatnot is strategically positioned to dominate the livestream commerce space and potentially move toward an IPO or strategic acquisitions in the near future.
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