Campfire Capital (“Campfire”) is a venture capital firm investing in businesses innovating at the intersection of technology and retail.
We are passionate about identifying, and funding, North America's most promising purpose-driven startups with core values that inspire the world.
Campfire is financially backed by over 50 consumer and retail veterans with deep industry networks and expertise from major brands including lululemon athletica, Starbucks, Nike, Aldo, Zara, DAVIDsTEA and Nasty Gal.
Our Vision
The future of venture capital is investor teams who have previously built successful disruptive, industry-leading companies together. These investor teams will come together to lend their capital and market-specific expertise and networks to the most compelling startups disrupting their industry.
Our Market Thesis
Disruption in Consumer & Retail
1. Disruption: Small, mission-driven, technology-focused businesses are actively capturing market share in the $5.1 trillion N.A. retail industry from larger incumbents who struggle to innovate their brand, their products and/or their distribution.
2. Capturing Market Share Through Innovation: These businesses are leveraging technology and process innovation, specifically around:
- Product
- Sales Channels
- Business Models
- Payment Systems
- Business Analytics & Digital Marketing Tools
- Logistics & Distribution
3. Investment Opportunities: Disruption is creating compelling, early-stage investment opportunities, and the VC's best positioned to identify and add value to these startups are VC teams that have previously built highly successful companies in the space.
4. Exit Opportunities: Campfire sees market incumbents as likely to acquire innovative emerging businesses as they seek growth, yet struggle to innovate organically. In addition to a strategic sale or IPO, Campfire also believes stagnant incumbents will continue to increase their participation in venture rounds in order to identify opportunities early, and lower overall acquisition costs, thereby creating a 3rd potential exit via later stage financing rounds involving strategics.
Our Team
Campfire is financially backed by over 30 former and current lululemon executives, all of whom worked closely together to create tremendous value for lululemon during its high growth period from 2002 to the present, in addition to other consumer and retail industry leaders across North America (the “Core Retail Network”).
Collectively, Campfire's Core Retail Network brings deep operating expertise from global brands including lululemon athletica, Starbucks, Abercrombie & Fitch, Nike, ALDO, DAVIDsTEA, Nasty Gal and Zara. Each individual brings an average of 15 years experience across key functions such as brand, store & e-commerce operations, merchandising, real estate and distribution & logistics. The Network's combined background spans sub-industries including apparel & footwear and food & beverage.
Campfire has a distinctive ownership culture in which its Core Retail Network is financially invested in each of Campfire's investments. The group lends operational support and expertise to Campfire's portfolio company management teams, seeking to positively impact growth and ultimately create value for all Campfire stakeholders.
As we grow, we will be enhancing our Core Retail Network with additional forward-thinking individuals from global brands.
Meet the Team
Our Portfolio