Studson, Inc., a Tigard-based maker of safety helmets, closed on a $2.48 million funding round, which included a major European workwear brand among the investors, Studson President Ryan Barnes said Tuesday.
Barnes said he plans to use the proceeds primarily to stock up Studson’s warehouse, especially after introducing a full-brim helmet, in addition to its climbing-style headwear.
“In the world we’re living in as a new and disruptive brand, we need a large amount of inventory on hand,” Barnes said. “With the launch of the full brim, we wanted to be bullish on making sure it was available.”
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He founded Studson in 2021 and soon was selling helmets to 14 of the top 20 general contractors in the U.S. The company is days away from breaking the 100,000 mark for helmets sold, a number Barnes expects to duplicate in 2024 as well. Studon helmets employ technology that keeps workers’ heads cool and dry and that absorbs impacts more effectively than traditional hard hats, Barnes has said.
The company recently moved from Lake Oswego to Tigard, where it was able to quadruple its warehouse and office space. It has 10 employees.
The funding round generated a lot of interest, particularly from Studson’s original investors, who contributed about $1 million, Barnes said. He declined to name the European investor, who contributed $1.4 million of the raise, but said he would share that news soon. That company makes complementary gear to helmets and distributes in 30 countries, he said.
“We’re excited about the future potential of helping us grow internationally,” Barnes said.
