Carbon38 is a technology company.
Carbon38 has raised $1.0M across 1 funding round.
Key people at Carbon38.
Carbon38 has raised $1.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Key people at Carbon38.
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.
# 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 across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $1.0M Venture Round in March 2014.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 1, 2014 | $1.0M Venture Round | ACME Capital, Album VC, Catapult Capital, Fifth Wall, FJ Labs, IVP, Mayfield, Polygon, Quiet Capital, Quona Capital, Science, Vayner RSE, Chung Ng, Oliver Jung, Shervin Pishevar |
