Black Jays

Black Jays is a venture capital firm based in New York, founded in 2013. The company specializes in providing investment capital and strategic advice to early-stage founders who aim to transform their industries. It focuses on startups that seek to fundamentally re-imagine consumer behavior and enhance the delivery of products and services, particularly in technology-driven sectors. Black Jays is committed to supporting innovative enterprises that challenge conventional market practices and drive change.

Jay Kim

Associate

38 past transactions

Penele Retirement

Pre Seed Round in 2023
Penelope builds affordable and easy-to-manage 401(k) retirement plans

Oula Health

Series A in 2023
Oula Health, Inc. specializes in maternity care services, offering both in-clinic and home-based prenatal care. Founded in 2019 and located in Brooklyn, New York, Oula aims to transform the maternity care experience by integrating obstetrics and midwifery. The company focuses on providing a personalized and evidence-based approach to pregnancy, combining modern medical practices with a compassionate understanding of human needs. Through its innovative maternity center, Oula sets a new standard for pregnancy care that emphasizes both medical expertise and personal connection.

Postmoda

Seed Round in 2021
Postmoda operates an online rental platform that facilitates collaboration between brands and companies to offer new and customer-returned apparel. The platform focuses on fashion circularity and aims to redefine quality, value, and sustainability within the retail sector. By providing a revolutionary shopping experience, Postmoda empowers both clients and customers, enabling them to engage in sustainable and convenient luxury renting.

Paloma

Seed Round in 2021
Paloma is a direct message-commerce platform that empowers brands to enhance their e-commerce capabilities through messaging channels. By facilitating the management of inventory and the creation of tailored shopping experiences, Paloma enables businesses to drive higher conversion rates, significantly outperforming traditional websites. The platform supports direct-to-checkout functionalities and offers performance tracking, allowing brands to effectively link their catalogs with customer interactions. Additionally, Paloma gathers extensive customer data, providing valuable insights that help brands optimize their strategies and foster sustainable growth. Through its comprehensive suite of services, Paloma transforms customer engagement into meaningful conversions, making it a vital tool for businesses looking to thrive in the digital marketplace.

Ceremonia

Seed Round in 2021
Ceremonia is a modern haircare brand that draws inspiration from Latin heritage, aiming to celebrate and empower the next generation of Latinx individuals. Set to launch this fall, the company focuses on providing hair care products designed to nourish the scalp, combat frizz, promote hair growth, and enhance shine. Ceremonia emphasizes the use of sustainable and chemical-free ingredients, allowing users to repair and improve the health of their hair while embracing their natural beauty.

Womaness

Seed Round in 2021
Womaness is an e-commerce platform that specializes in modern menopause products, aiming to transform the conversation around this natural life stage. The company offers a diverse range of feminine care items designed to address various symptoms associated with menopause, including hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and skin changes. Womaness emphasizes the importance of providing solutions that are free from harmful additives such as parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and hormones, ensuring that its products are vegan and gluten-free. In addition to its product offerings, Womaness fosters a supportive community that shares trusted advice and experiences, empowering women to navigate menopause with confidence and ease.

Coterie

Seed Round in 2020
Coterie Inc. is an online platform based in San Francisco, California, that focuses on beauty products. Founded in 2011 and operating as a subsidiary of Poshly, Inc., Coterie allows members to discover, share, and collect a curated selection of top beauty items from various brands. The platform emphasizes a social shopping experience, enabling users to create personal virtual vanities that showcase their favorite products. By combining beauty and technology, Coterie aims to enhance the way consumers engage with beauty products, making the shopping experience both informative and effortless.

Grayce

Seed Round in 2020
Grayce, Inc. is a health care agency based in San Francisco that specializes in providing personalized support for families and employees managing the care of aging adults and children. Established in 2019, Grayce offers a comprehensive range of services, including assistance with insurance, finances, legal plans, medical care, home care, housing, and daily needs. The company emphasizes individualized guidance, ensuring that each member receives dedicated support from a social worker who helps manage their overall care. This includes planning, resource identification, care coordination, and advocacy, empowering family caregivers to effectively navigate the complexities of caring for their loved ones.

Spark Grills

Convertible Note in 2020
Spark Grills Inc. is a company that develops, manufactures, and sells innovative backyard charcoal grills. Founded in 2017 and based in Boulder, Colorado, Spark Grills features a proprietary wood and charcoal Briq system that enables quick ignition and easy loading, while ensuring a mess-free clean-up process. The grills are designed for both grilling enthusiasts and home chefs, offering precise temperature control akin to that of an oven. Additionally, the company incorporates a social impact initiative aimed at reducing open air pollution through its unique charcoal fuel cartridges. Spark Grills products are available for purchase online, catering to a growing market of consumers seeking quality grilling solutions.

Apres

Series A in 2019
Après, a digital-first company based in San Francisco, offers a plant-based protein beverage developed specifically for premium whole-body replenishment

Noken

Seed Round in 2019
Noken, Inc. is an online travel service founded in 2016 and headquartered in New York, New York. The company offers a platform that allows users to plan, book, and manage their travel experiences. Noken curates personalized travel itineraries known as Travel Blueprints, which cater to individual budgets and timelines, blending essential guidance with the freedom to explore. Travelers can book accommodations, experiences, and transportation while having access to a comprehensive App Guide during their journey. This app also enables real-time communication with the Experience Team for support. Noken aims to streamline the travel planning process, helping individuals save time while enhancing their exploration of new countries through curated suggestions and real-time local information.

Our Place

Venture Round in 2019
Our Place is a company dedicated to enhancing home-cooking experiences through thoughtfully designed cookware and dinnerware. Their product range includes frying pans, side bowls, drinking glasses, and main plates, all inspired by diverse culinary traditions. The company aims to simplify the cooking process while fostering connections among family and friends. By celebrating various cultures and honoring traditions, Our Place emphasizes the importance of shared meals in bringing people together.

Two Front

Pre Seed Round in 2019
Two Front Corp. is a company that specializes in providing virtual consultations by orthodontists through a tech-enabled platform. Founded in 2019 and based in Albany, New York, the company aims to innovate the clear aligner market, which is valued at approximately $925 billion. Two Front's platform allows orthodontists to efficiently manage check-ins and track patient progress while utilizing unused office space in dental practices. This system enables dentists to seamlessly incorporate orthodontics as an additional service, catering to the significant demand from patients seeking improved smiles. By empowering dental professionals, Two Front enhances the accessibility and effectiveness of orthodontic care for both children and adults.

Spaw

Pre Seed Round in 2019
Spaw is a developer of a pet grooming platform designed to connect pet owners with professional groomers. The platform serves as a marketplace, offering essential tools and guidance to enhance the grooming experience for both pet parents and certified groomers. By focusing on creating a more streamlined and less stressful in-home grooming process, Spaw aims to elevate the standards of the pet grooming industry, ensuring that users can access quality services tailored to their needs.

Hatch Collection

Series A in 2019
Hatch Collection LLC is a New York-based company that specializes in manufacturing and marketing maternity wear. Founded in 2011, it offers a diverse range of products including tops, dresses, bottoms, jumpsuits, knitwear, denim, activewear, outerwear, intimate and sleepwear, and swimwear. In addition to clothing, Hatch Collection provides beauty products such as belly masks, belly oils, nipple and lip creams, hair oils, leg and foot relief sprays, and ginger anti-nausea remedies. The brand focuses on creating chic and comfortable wardrobe essentials designed for women to wear before, during, and after pregnancy, emphasizing beauty and style throughout all stages of life.

Fi

Series A in 2019
Fi is a company that specializes in manufacturing GPS-enabled dog collars and accessories, founded in 2017 and headquartered in New York, New York. The company develops smart dog collars that allow pet owners to track their dogs' locations in real time. Utilizing GPS and LTE-M technology, these collars not only provide location tracking but also monitor the physical activity of dogs by measuring their steps. Owners can set daily, weekly, and monthly fitness goals for their pets, making it easier to keep them healthy and active. Fi sells its products primarily through online retail channels.

ROAM

Seed Round in 2018
Roam Media Inc. operates an online community known as ROAM, designed for explorers and adventurers. Founded in 2017 and based in Boulder, Colorado, the platform allows members to share their adventure stories, experiences, and various forms of content, including educational videos, mini-documentaries, and photo essays. It serves as a space for users to exchange ideas for creative projects such as Instagram takeovers and interviews, while also featuring member-generated videos. The platform aims to energize and encourage its community members to lead adventurous lives, offering access to focused classes from experienced athletes who share their insights and lessons learned from their own journeys.

Gradient.io

Seed Round in 2018
Gradient.io is an intelligent insights platform focused on enhancing brand visibility and sales on Amazon. Utilizing proprietary machine learning technology, it offers solutions such as Gradient Digital Shelf, Gradient Score, Gradient Dynamics, and Gradient Compete. These tools enable brands to analyze and optimize their digital presence on the Amazon Marketplace, assessing their performance against competitors within specific categories. By leveraging these insights, businesses can improve their product rankings in search results, ultimately maximizing their shelf presence and increasing customer conversion rates.

Spark Grills

Seed Round in 2018
Spark Grills Inc. is a company that develops, manufactures, and sells innovative backyard charcoal grills. Founded in 2017 and based in Boulder, Colorado, Spark Grills features a proprietary wood and charcoal Briq system that enables quick ignition and easy loading, while ensuring a mess-free clean-up process. The grills are designed for both grilling enthusiasts and home chefs, offering precise temperature control akin to that of an oven. Additionally, the company incorporates a social impact initiative aimed at reducing open air pollution through its unique charcoal fuel cartridges. Spark Grills products are available for purchase online, catering to a growing market of consumers seeking quality grilling solutions.

Boundless Mind

Seed Round in 2018
Boundless Mind, Inc. is an artificial intelligence platform that focuses on behavior design to promote healthier, wealthier, and more fulfilling lives. Founded in 2015 and based in Los Angeles, California, the company provides analytics to help businesses understand user behavior within their applications. By utilizing a reinforcement API, Boundless Mind enables users to build positive habits through personalized incentives. The company's technology integrates neuroscience and artificial intelligence to simplify complex product and behavioral decisions, allowing for the prediction and shaping of human behavior. Boundless Mind operates as a subsidiary of Thrive Global Holdings, Inc. as of October 2019.

The Inside

Seed Round in 2018
The Inside is a home furnishings brand that specializes in providing a diverse range of products for various styles and budgets. Their offerings include furniture and decor for bedrooms, living rooms, dining areas, outdoor spaces, and offices, along with online interior design services. The product lineup features beds, chairs, lighting, wallpaper, benches, desk chairs, and room dividers. The company emphasizes sustainable practices through a supply chain supported by digital printing and made-to-order manufacturing, allowing customers to personalize their selections with a variety of iconic fabric choices while maintaining affordability.

Naadam

Series A in 2018
Naadam Inc. is an American clothing company based in New York, founded in 2013, that specializes in affordable luxury cashmere knitwear, including sweaters, jackets, gloves, socks, and various loungewear items like blankets and robes. The company is committed to sustainability and ethical sourcing, ensuring that its cashmere products are made from organic materials without toxic chemicals. Naadam's manufacturing processes are designed to create garments that not only become softer over time but also enhance the comfort of everyday living. Additionally, the company engages in environmental initiatives, including anti-desertification programs and clean energy-powered factories, reflecting its dedication to protecting the planet. Naadam distributes its products through an online platform and retail locations, catering to a diverse customer base seeking durable and stylish cashmere apparel.

Delphia

Seed Round in 2018
Delphia Inc. is a Toronto-based company, incorporated in 1993, that specializes in developing artificially intelligent surveys designed to assist individuals in making informed decisions regarding careers, education, finances, and health. The company emphasizes the importance of data in fostering capital formation and economic empowerment. Delphia creates products that encourage the sharing of proprietary data, aiming to provide users with a competitive advantage in financial markets. By actively managing personal data, Delphia seeks to unlock innovative opportunities for wealth creation for both individual and institutional investors.

Apres

Seed Round in 2018
Après, a digital-first company based in San Francisco, offers a plant-based protein beverage developed specifically for premium whole-body replenishment

Hatch Collection

Seed Round in 2017
Hatch Collection LLC is a New York-based company that specializes in manufacturing and marketing maternity wear. Founded in 2011, it offers a diverse range of products including tops, dresses, bottoms, jumpsuits, knitwear, denim, activewear, outerwear, intimate and sleepwear, and swimwear. In addition to clothing, Hatch Collection provides beauty products such as belly masks, belly oils, nipple and lip creams, hair oils, leg and foot relief sprays, and ginger anti-nausea remedies. The brand focuses on creating chic and comfortable wardrobe essentials designed for women to wear before, during, and after pregnancy, emphasizing beauty and style throughout all stages of life.

Fi

Seed Round in 2017
Fi is a company that specializes in manufacturing GPS-enabled dog collars and accessories, founded in 2017 and headquartered in New York, New York. The company develops smart dog collars that allow pet owners to track their dogs' locations in real time. Utilizing GPS and LTE-M technology, these collars not only provide location tracking but also monitor the physical activity of dogs by measuring their steps. Owners can set daily, weekly, and monthly fitness goals for their pets, making it easier to keep them healthy and active. Fi sells its products primarily through online retail channels.

quip

Series A in 2017
Quip NYC, Inc., operating as quip, is an oral healthcare company based in Brooklyn, New York, founded in 2014. The company designs, manufactures, and sells a range of oral care products, including electric toothbrushes, toothpastes, refillable floss pick and string, as well as various supplies such as toothbrush heads and travel covers. Quip is notable for being a pioneer in the direct-to-consumer oral care subscription model, providing customers with fresh supplies delivered every three months. In addition to its product offerings, quip also delivers oral care advice and is developing a technology platform to connect users with a network of dental professionals. Through its online platform, quip aims to make oral health simpler, more accessible, and enjoyable for consumers.

Boundless Mind

Seed Round in 2017
Boundless Mind, Inc. is an artificial intelligence platform that focuses on behavior design to promote healthier, wealthier, and more fulfilling lives. Founded in 2015 and based in Los Angeles, California, the company provides analytics to help businesses understand user behavior within their applications. By utilizing a reinforcement API, Boundless Mind enables users to build positive habits through personalized incentives. The company's technology integrates neuroscience and artificial intelligence to simplify complex product and behavioral decisions, allowing for the prediction and shaping of human behavior. Boundless Mind operates as a subsidiary of Thrive Global Holdings, Inc. as of October 2019.

ToneDen

Seed Round in 2017
ToneDen, Inc. operates a social marketing platform tailored for musicians and creators, allowing them to effectively engage with their audiences and grow their fan base. Founded in 2014 and based in Berkeley, California, the platform enables artists to personalize their brand, promote their music, and monitor their growth. By providing tools to automate social marketing, ToneDen supports over 500,000 creators, businesses, and brands in reaching new customers and nurturing lasting relationships. The company emphasizes efficiency, helping users save time while enhancing their sales potential. As of November 2020, ToneDen functions as a subsidiary of Eventbrite, Inc.

Spark Grills

Convertible Note in 2017
Spark Grills Inc. is a company that develops, manufactures, and sells innovative backyard charcoal grills. Founded in 2017 and based in Boulder, Colorado, Spark Grills features a proprietary wood and charcoal Briq system that enables quick ignition and easy loading, while ensuring a mess-free clean-up process. The grills are designed for both grilling enthusiasts and home chefs, offering precise temperature control akin to that of an oven. Additionally, the company incorporates a social impact initiative aimed at reducing open air pollution through its unique charcoal fuel cartridges. Spark Grills products are available for purchase online, catering to a growing market of consumers seeking quality grilling solutions.

Naadam

Seed Round in 2017
Naadam Inc. is an American clothing company based in New York, founded in 2013, that specializes in affordable luxury cashmere knitwear, including sweaters, jackets, gloves, socks, and various loungewear items like blankets and robes. The company is committed to sustainability and ethical sourcing, ensuring that its cashmere products are made from organic materials without toxic chemicals. Naadam's manufacturing processes are designed to create garments that not only become softer over time but also enhance the comfort of everyday living. Additionally, the company engages in environmental initiatives, including anti-desertification programs and clean energy-powered factories, reflecting its dedication to protecting the planet. Naadam distributes its products through an online platform and retail locations, catering to a diverse customer base seeking durable and stylish cashmere apparel.

True Made Foods

Convertible Note in 2017
True Made Foods, Inc. specializes in producing and selling vegetable-based sauces and condiments, including ketchup, barbecue sauce, and sriracha. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, with a manufacturing facility in Henderson, North Carolina, the company focuses on creating healthier food options by infusing fresh vegetables into its products and significantly reducing sugar content. This approach transforms traditional condiments, often considered empty calories, into nutrient-dense alternatives suitable for health-conscious consumers. True Made Foods markets its offerings through a combination of supermarkets and online retailers, emphasizing the use of natural ingredients without added sugars.

Swing Technologies

Seed Round in 2016
Swing exited to Microsoft in 2017. It was recognized in the same year by Entrepreneur magazine's Best Entrepreneurial Companies in America awards. Swing’s mission was to reimagine the photograph and the Polaroid brand. Its debut app, SWNG, launched in 2016 through a unique partnership with Polaroid, allows users to create interactive ‘living photos’. The result is a new visual medium to stand alongside photos and videos. SWNG has been featured by Apple as the top featured product on the App Store, and in Apple retail stores across the world. Apple described Swing's impact on the Polaroid brand in 2016: "Like a photogenic phoenix, Polaroid has risen again. This time around, they’ve ditched physical photos in favor of something a bit like GIFs: playable, rewindable, moving pics. With a swipe or a tilt of your hand, these pictures come to life. It’s hard to explain and irrestibily captivating. Plus, we absolutely adore the authentic old-school feel. After all, it’s Polaroid." Following this digital transformation and relaunch, the Polaroid brand was acquired in 2017. Swing has developed a range of imaging technology across software and hardware, with senior employees recruited from Apple, Instagram and beyond. Based in San Francisco and New York, Swing is backed by top tier investors and individuals including Twitter Co-Founder Biz Stone.

quip

Venture Round in 2016
Quip NYC, Inc., operating as quip, is an oral healthcare company based in Brooklyn, New York, founded in 2014. The company designs, manufactures, and sells a range of oral care products, including electric toothbrushes, toothpastes, refillable floss pick and string, as well as various supplies such as toothbrush heads and travel covers. Quip is notable for being a pioneer in the direct-to-consumer oral care subscription model, providing customers with fresh supplies delivered every three months. In addition to its product offerings, quip also delivers oral care advice and is developing a technology platform to connect users with a network of dental professionals. Through its online platform, quip aims to make oral health simpler, more accessible, and enjoyable for consumers.

Roasting Plant

Seed Round in 2016
Roasting Plant, Inc. is a coffee company based in New York that operates cafes specializing in freshly roasted coffee and baked goods. Founded in 2004, Roasting Plant utilizes its proprietary Javabot™ system, which roasts coffee beans in micro-batches and brews each cup to order within a week of roasting, ensuring peak freshness and flavor. The company carefully sources high-quality, hand-picked green coffee beans from top farms globally, offering a selection of 12 different beans and the option for custom blends. In addition to coffee, Roasting Plant serves a variety of award-winning baked goods, crafted daily in each café. The company also sells merchandise online, including T-shirts, hats, and mugs, enhancing its brand presence. With locations in cities like New York, Detroit, Dearborn Heights, Minneapolis, and Denver, Roasting Plant combines the quality of specialty coffee with the operational efficiency of larger chains, making it a unique player in the coffee industry.

Greycork

Seed Round in 2016
Greycork, Inc. is a Boston-based company that designs and markets furniture in the United States. Founded in 2013 by John Humphrey and Bruce Kim, Greycork offers a variety of home furnishings and accessories, emphasizing ease of assembly for consumers. The company utilizes materials such as lightweight aluminum and woven fabrics to create durable products. In addition to its furniture offerings, Greycork provides an online shopping platform, making it convenient for customers to browse and purchase items for their homes.

True Made Foods

Convertible Note in 2016
True Made Foods, Inc. specializes in producing and selling vegetable-based sauces and condiments, including ketchup, barbecue sauce, and sriracha. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, with a manufacturing facility in Henderson, North Carolina, the company focuses on creating healthier food options by infusing fresh vegetables into its products and significantly reducing sugar content. This approach transforms traditional condiments, often considered empty calories, into nutrient-dense alternatives suitable for health-conscious consumers. True Made Foods markets its offerings through a combination of supermarkets and online retailers, emphasizing the use of natural ingredients without added sugars.

Naytev

Seed Round in 2016
Naytev specializes in optimizing the sharing of content from websites to social media, significantly increasing referral traffic by 30%. The company has developed a social media management platform that automates and enhances the distribution of both paid and organic content across various networks. This platform enables users to run advanced campaigns and manage complex social media schedules efficiently, accommodating multiple handles and time zones. By employing machine learning, Naytev can identify and prioritize effective messaging in real-time, allowing organizations to streamline their content strategies while reducing costs and improving overall performance.
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