For direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands looking for growth, funding, and resources, tapping into the right incubators and venture funds can be a game-changer. These organizations offer a range of services, from capital investment to strategic mentorship, all designed to help brands accelerate their growth and scale successfully. Whether you're just starting out or you're looking to expand your DTC brand, the right partner can offer valuable industry insights, connections, and resources.

Here’s a curated list of the top venture funds and incubators, organized by region, that specialize in or support DTC brands.

North America: Key DTC Venture Funds & Incubators

1. SKU

• Website: sku.is
• Location: Texas, USA
• Focus: SKU is a Texas-based accelerator that focuses on consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands and startups. It has been a springboard for multiple successful DTC businesses and offers entrepreneurs everything from seed capital to mentorship.

2. Amplify LA

• Website: amplify.la
• Location: Los Angeles, USA
• Focus: While Amplify LA is not exclusively focused on DTC brands, its location in the heart of LA's vibrant startup ecosystem provides unique access to consumer brands, especially in the digital and tech spaces. Its portfolio includes notable DTC brands such as Bouqs.

3. RSE Ventures

• Website: rseventures.com
• Location: New York, USA
• Focus: RSE Ventures operates across various sectors but has a significant focus on the consumer space. With investments in companies like Milk Bar and Momofuku, they bring experience in scaling consumer-facing brands and have expertise in operational growth.

4. Consumer Goods Incubator

• Website: proofincubator.com/northeasttn
• Location: Tennessee, USA
• Focus: This incubator focuses on consumer packaging goods (CPG) and DTC brands, particularly in the Southeastern U.S. region. It offers mentorship and funding to help CPG startups navigate the complexities of consumer goods production, distribution, and branding.

5. Fabric Incubator

• Website: fabricincubator.com
• Location: USA (national focus, but based in New York)
• Focus: Fabric Incubator is dedicated to fashion startups and brands, offering a comprehensive set of services to help businesses in the fashion industry launch and scale. They provide resources and partnerships to help fashion DTC brands grow.

6. L'Oréal Tech Incubator

• Website: lorealtechincubator.com
• Location: Global, with a focus on tech and beauty
• Focus: L'Oréal's in-house incubator focuses on emerging makeup and beauty technologies. For beauty DTC brands, this incubator offers funding, mentorship, and access to L'Oréal's vast network.

7. Luna VC

• Website: lunrcapital.com
• Location: Minnesota, USA
• Focus: Luna VC is known for working closely with upcoming brands, particularly those in the Midwest. With a strong connection to Target, Luna helps startups with product innovation and market testing, offering a unique entry point for DTC brands looking to scale quickly.

Top DTC-Focused Investment Firms

8. Sonoma Brands Capital

• Website: sonomabrands.com

• Focus: Specializing in consumer goods and lifestyle brands, Sonoma Brands Capital has helped scale several DTC brands across multiple verticals. Their hands-on approach and deep industry expertise make them an ideal partner for growth-stage DTC businesses.

9. Pattern Brands

• Website: patternbrands.com

• Focus: Pattern Brands focuses on creating a portfolio of DTC brands that can work synergistically together. They’re known for their investments in design-driven consumer goods brands.

10. Rose Street Capital

• Website: rosestreetcapital.com

• Focus: Rose Street Capital invests in emerging consumer brands, helping them scale and reach new markets. They have a strong focus on DTC companies that are ready to disrupt the status quo.

11. Agora

• Website: heyagora.com

• Focus: Agora is a venture fund that focuses on scaling consumer goods brands. They offer strategic insight and capital to DTC startups, particularly in the e-commerce and CPG sectors.

12. Unilever Ventures

• Website: unileverventures.com

• Focus: As part of Unilever’s corporate venture arm, Unilever Ventures focuses on DTC brands in the beauty, food, and home care industries. They offer financial support and strategic insight to help brands scale globally.

13. Gateway X

• Website: gateway.xyz

• Focus: Gateway X invests in consumer and digital-first companies with an emphasis on scaling their growth through innovative technologies and new business models.

14. Karta Ventures

• Focus: Karta Ventures focuses on investing in consumer brands that are built to scale, with a focus on leveraging technology and data to increase operational efficiency and consumer engagement.

15. Essor (Formerly Heyday)

• Website: heyday.co

• Focus: Heyday is a brand incubator and Amazon rollup, specializing in acquiring and scaling DTC brands. They have a successful track record of growing e-commerce businesses. They were acquired by Branded and now the merged entity operates as Essor.

Europe: DTC Investment & Incubation

16. Fashion for Good

• Website: fashionforgood.com
• Location: Global, based in Amsterdam
• Focus: Fashion for Good is a unique seed venture and coworking operation focused on full-cycle clothing brands and startups. It supports fashion DTC brands with investments and resources to make their businesses more sustainable and scalable.

Conclusion

The landscape of DTC incubators and venture funds is growing, offering ample opportunity for founders to gain the support and guidance they need to succeed. Whether you're in fashion, beauty, consumer goods, or any other vertical, the right partner can provide not only funding but valuable insights, connections, and mentorship to help your brand reach new heights.

Reach out to these accelerators and venture funds to explore how they can help your DTC brand scale and thrive in today’s competitive market.