Chicagoans looking to get affordable dental care now have another option thanks to venture-backed startup Candid.
Candid, a New York-based dental care startup founded in 2017, opened its first Chicago studio at 1165 N. State St. in the city’s Gold Coast neighborhood on Sept. 5 and expects to add more Chicago locations next year, said the company’s Chief Growth Officer Cathrin Bowtell. Its new Gold Coast location, which spans 1,690 square feet across one floor, allows patients to get their custom aligners and teeth whitened in-person, though Botwell also said customers can do so with the company’s at-home kits, too.
“We’re on a really exciting growth trajectory,” Bowtell said. “There are many, many markets across the United States that need and deserve this service, and need and deserve access to better oral care.”
The new Candid store mirrors its other locations, Bowtell said, describing the locations as "airy, and beautiful with beautiful lighting."
Candid decided to open up in Gold Coast because of the neighborhood’s residents, as well as access to parking and public transit, making it a “low friction” location, Bowtell said. The company is looking to cater to various demographics ranging from professionals to parents, she said.
When deciding where to set up shop, the company evaluates factors such as whether the area has a high population density, an abundance of young working professionals, and individuals who care about their wellness and appearance, all of which seem to be the case for Gold Coast, Bowtell said.
Candid raised $63.4 million in a Series B funding round in April, bringing its total amount raised to $90 million. Its backers include RiverPark Ventures, Greycroft and Bessemer Venture Partners. Candid competes with Smile Direct Club, another VC-backed dental startup that recently went public.
"We’re a very, very high-growth startup," Bowtell said. "We’ve got a lot of expansion plans and places we want to go."
