Charlotte-based dog bar and pet-services startup Skiptown has raised more than $27 million in funding and added two new investors to boost its plans for expansion.
Skiptown, founded in 2016 and formerly known as "Waggle," is a membership-model, dog care-services provider with its flagship facility in Charlotte's South End. Skiptown also offers an off-leash indoor and outdoor dog park, a full-service bar, dog daycare, overnight boarding, grooming and walking services.
New York-based Focus Impact Partners and California-based Meaningful Partners, both private investment firms, announced on Dec. 1 their initial closing of a growth investment in Skiptown. A Form D filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission a week later revealed the startup raised about $27.4 million from six investors in its latest funding round.
The investment will give Skiptown the capacity to open locations across new markets. Those locations were not disclosed.
Skiptown Founder and CEO Meggie Williams told CBJ earlier this year that the startup is eyeing expansion in at least three markets, potentially up to six. Markets of interest included Austin, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Denver, Atlanta and Raleigh, among others. Skiptown's website currently lists Houston, Dallas, Denver, Nashville, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio, as locations that are "coming soon."
Williams said the new partnerships with Focus Impact and Meaningful will help the company continue its mission of providing quality pet care across the nation.
"Meaningful and Focus Impact bring decades of consumer technology, experiential services and multi-unit retail experience," she said. "Their intense focus on purposeful profits and positive people impact aligns with our mission, and, together, we'll establish Skiptown as the preeminent nationally recognized brand for pups and their people."
Skiptown utilizes a technology platform that enables and integrates its premium social and service offerings, the startup said. The tech allows for a simpler customer experience, tailored care for every dog it serves and facilitated team member operations.
"Skiptown is fundamentally changing the standard of pet care through research, people and technology. We are excited to support Meggie and the team's purposeful vision with our collective multi-unit scaling and operating experience," said Amin Maredia, managing partner at Meaningful Partners. "A significant addressable market with high growth and a unique offering makes for an exciting partnership."
Wray Thorn, partner and co-founder of Focus Impact, added that Skiptown "is poised to expand significantly and create many more positive impactful outcomes for its employees and customers."
In addition to the investment, Steve King, former CEO and chairman of Dave & Buster's Entertainment Inc., will join Skiptown's board of directors.
"We're also very pleased Steve will be joining the Skiptown board in connection with this investment and look forward to benefiting from his many years of successful growth leadership in the consumer services sector," Williams said.
