Exclusive – Totsy, a private sale site targeting moms of kids aged 0-7 (and moms-to-be), has raised $5 million in Series A funding from DFJ Gotham and Rho Ventures. The financing round follows the startup’s recent “acquisition” of competitor bTrendie’s member base.
Totsy is the umpteenth niche-specific (in this case, for everything from prenatal care products, baby gear, travel accessories to children’s clothing and toys) to emerge, following in the footsteps of successful flash sales sites like pioneer Vente-Privée.com, Gilt Groupe and Rue La La.
If you’re in any familiar with the tried model of these sites, you know the drill: Totsy offers its members brand-specific sales on products for expecting moms, parents, babies and kids at sample sale prices, for up to 70% off the retail price. Shopping events are designer-specific and held over a limited-time period, 48 to 72 hours to be exact, for ‘invited’ members only.
One thing I admire about Totsy: the company puts a lot of effort into being completely eco-friendly in its operations, and actually plants trees in the name of members’ kids to help reduce the effects of deforestation.
I know – shopping isn’t really going to ‘save the world’, but I like to think every bit counts.