The shoe industry has seen a rise in specialized online marketplaces. Companies like StockX and Goat Group have both reached valuations of $4 billion by focusing on high demand sneakers.
Beyond sneaker resale, other business models are also finding success. Rothy's has built a $1 billion company on sustainable materials, while TechStyle Fashion Group reached the same valuation with a membership model.
Below is the full list of 4 Shoes unicorn startups at this time.
Top 4 Most Valuable Shoes Unicorns
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2,189 Accelerators & Incubators
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1,600+ Unicorns
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250 BioTech & Health Investors
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250 AI Investors
List of 250 startup investors in the AI and Machine Learning industries, along with their Twitter, LinkedIn, and email addresses.
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250 Fintech Investors
List of 250 startup investors in the FinTech and Finance industries, along with their Twitter, LinkedIn, and email addresses.
Get the Sheet for $50StockX built an online marketplace that treats high-demand goods like limited-edition sneakers as assets on a stock market. They are widely known for a meticulous authentication system that verifies every item before it is shipped to the buyer.
| Valuation | $4B (Joined June 2019) |
| Headquarters | Detroit, Michigan, United States |
| Year Founded | 2015 |
| Founders | Chris Kaufman, Dan Gilbert, Greg Schwartz, Josh Luber |
| Funding Amount | $690M |
| Company Size | Large Team (251-1,000) |
| Last Funding Status | Series E |
| Top Investors | Altimeter Capital, Tiger Global Management, Battery Ventures, General Atlantic, SV Angel |
Goat Group runs a global marketplace for authentic sneakers, apparel, and accessories. They connect buyers and sellers through a trusted verification process, ensuring every item is genuine.
| Valuation | $4B |
| Headquarters | Culver City, California, United States |
| Year Founded | 2011 |
| Founders | Daishin Sugano, Eddy Lu |
| Funding Amount | $492.6M |
| Company Size | Major Organization (1,001-5,000) |
| Last Funding Status | Series F |
| Top Investors | Andreessen Horowitz, Index Ventures, Franklin Templeton, Accel, New Enterprise Associates |
TechStyle Fashion Group operates a portfolio of digital-first fashion brands built on a membership commerce model. They use a proprietary technology platform to deliver personalized shopping experiences for members of brands like Fabletics and Savage X Fenty.
| Valuation | $1B (Joined August 2014) |
| Headquarters | El Segundo, California, United States |
| Year Founded | 2010 |
| Founders | Adam Goldenberg, Don Ressler |
| Funding Amount | $336M |
| Company Size | Major Organization (1,001-5,000) |
| Last Funding Status | Venture Round |
| Top Investors | Rho Capital Partners, KEC Ventures, Matrix, TCV, Trinity Capital |
Rothy's designs and creates a line of shoes and accessories using a signature thread spun from single-use plastic bottles. They are recognized for producing stylish, comfortable, and machine-washable goods that advance a sustainable mission in fashion.
| Valuation | $1B (Joined December 2021) |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, California, United States |
| Year Founded | 2012 |
| Founders | Roth Martin, Stephen Hawthornthwaite |
| Funding Amount | $519M |
| Company Size | Large Team (251-1,000) |
| Last Funding Status | Corporate Round |
| Top Investors | M13, Goldman Sachs Investment Partners, Brian Spaly, Finn Capital Partners, Lightspeed Venture Partners |