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Carbon38 has raised $1.0M across 1 funding round.
Key people at Carbon38.
Carbon38 has raised $1.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Carbon38 is a Culver City, California-based e-commerce platform that curates and sells premium activewear, fitness clothing, and athleisure apparel primarily for women. Operating through direct-to-consumer digital channels, physical retail locations, and strategic wholesale partnerships, the company has scaled its operations to support a workforce of 91 employees. The enterprise has raised $26 million in total venture funding to date, highlighted by a $15 million Series A investment from strategic backer Foot Locker. To further expand its omnichannel market presence, Carbon38 planned a permanent flagship retail store in Los Angeles and launched exclusive apparel collections at luxury department stores like Neiman Marcus. The organization also maintains board and financial backing from venture capital firms such as Halogen Ventures and Montage Ventures. The company was founded in 2013 by Katie Warner Johnson and Caroline Gogolak.
Key people at Carbon38.
Carbon38 has raised $1.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $1.0M Series U in March 2014.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 1, 2014 | $1M Series U | — | ACME Capital, Album VC, Catapult Capital, Fifth Wall, FJ Labs, IVP, Mayfield, Polygon Labs, Quiet Capital, Quona Capital, Science, Vayner RSE, Chung NG, Oliver Jung, Shervin Pishevar | Announced |
# Carbon38: A Fashion and Activewear Company, Not a Technology Company
Carbon38 is not a technology company—it is a women's luxury activewear and fashion retailer[1][5]. The company operates as an e-commerce destination and lifestyle brand specializing in high-performance activewear designed for women[2][3].
Carbon38 is a direct-to-consumer fashion brand that blends functional activewear with contemporary street style[2]. The company offers its own proprietary label alongside curated selections from global designers and exclusive collaborations, targeting women seeking stylish performance clothing for both workouts and everyday wear[2][5]. The brand positions itself as a lifestyle platform for women to "live life on their own terms," with a focus on meeting the needs of the modern American woman[5].
Katie Warner Johnson, a former professional ballerina, founded Carbon38 in 2011 after attending a Women 2.0 Startup weekend in November, where she purchased the domain www.carbon38.com[4]. The company's name derives from Johnson's passion for chemistry and the periodic table—carbon being one of the most abundant elements in the human body[4].
The company achieved early traction, raising $1 million by February 2014[4]. In September 2015, Carbon38 completed a Series Seed funding round, raising $11 million, and launched its first exclusive branded label collection[4]. The company has raised a total of $20.45 million across its funding history[1]. In January 2024, BC Brands acquired Carbon38, marking a significant milestone in the company's evolution[1][4].
Carbon38 emerged during the rise of athleisure—the convergence of athletic and casual wear—and capitalized on growing consumer demand for clothing that serves dual purposes[5]. The brand represents a shift toward performance fashion that doesn't sacrifice style, appealing to women who reject the false choice between functionality and aesthetics. By positioning activewear as a lifestyle statement rather than purely functional gear, Carbon38 helped legitimize athleisure as a category worthy of premium pricing and design investment.
Under BC Brands' ownership, Carbon38 is positioned to expand its retail footprint and leverage the parent company's expertise in e-commerce and retail collaborations[4]. The brand's focus on the women's activewear market—a segment experiencing sustained growth—provides a solid foundation for continued expansion. Future growth will likely depend on maintaining its distinctive positioning as a fashion-forward alternative to purely performance-driven competitors while scaling its branded label and designer partnerships.
Carbon38 has raised $1.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Carbon38's investors include ACME Capital, Album VC, Catapult Capital, Fifth Wall, FJ Labs, IVP, Mayfield, Polygon, Quiet Capital, Quona Capital, Science, Vayner RSE.
