Great Jones Raises $1.75M to Expand into Bakeware | Startup News

Great Jones is venturing into a new segment of the kitchen space tomorrow, with co-founder and CEO Sierra Tishgart characterizing the launch as the startup’s most significant since its initial product release two years prior.

Prior to introducing the new bakeware collection, Great Jones has announced a successful funding round of $1.75 million.

This capital infusion comes from prominent individuals within the e-commerce landscape – including Jake Miller, founder of Fellow, and Eric Prum and Josh Williams, the founders of Very Great – as well as leaders in the restaurant industry such as Hannah Cheng, co-founder of Mimi Cheng’s, Sean Feeny of Lilia, Moonlynn Tsai, co-owner of Kopitiam, and Akira Akuto, co-owner of Konbi.

Liza Landsman, a partner at NEA, also participated in the investment, and Tishgart shared that Nic Jammet of Sweetgreen and Ariel Kaye of Parachute have accepted positions on the startup’s board of directors. Tishgart highlighted that Great Jones has previously collaborated with many of these investors on product partnerships, and she specifically cited Kaye and Parachute as exemplifying a potential growth trajectory for her company.

“Starting with bedding, [Kaye] successfully expanded a beloved product into a comprehensive selection,” Tishgart explained.

She envisions a comparable evolution for Great Jones – mirroring Parachute’s success as a complete resource for the home, Tishgart aims to establish her startup as the go-to destination for all things kitchen-related. Great Jones began with pots, pans, and a Dutch oven, subsequently added a baking sheet, and is now broadening its offerings with a full line of bakeware.

The newly released bakeware items (many drawing inspiration from iconic Pyrex designs) encompass the Sweetie Pie ceramic pie dish, the Hot Dish ceramic casserole dish, the Breadwinner loaf pan, the Patty Cake cake pan, and a fresh broccoli-hued iteration of the Holy Sheet baking sheet. These pieces are available for individual purchase (the Holy Sheet is priced at $35, pie dishes at $45, and bread pans at $65 for a pair) or as a complete set for $245.

Tishgart also mentioned that the company experienced a “remarkably busy year” due to lockdowns and social distancing measures.

“More people are cooking now than ever before,” she stated. “This sector and industry have genuinely flourished as a result.”

Simultaneously, Tishgart underscored that the increasing interest from millennial and younger demographics represents a lasting trend that will persist beyond the pandemic – with the growing influence of celebrity chefs, prominent restaurants, and an abundance of food-related content, food and cooking have become a more significant “cultural phenomenon” than ever before.

However, the company also faced challenges, particularly concerning disruptions to supply chains caused by the pandemic. Tishgart noted that the company dedicated much of the year to “securing products,” but benefited from utilizing a diverse range of materials and collaborating with multiple manufacturers.

“This approach initially created a more complex supply chain,” she said. “However, it has proven to be a valuable asset, as we are not dependent on a single factory or region.”

Tishgart explained that the funding will enable Great Jones to further invest in product innovation and production capabilities. While acknowledging the emergence of other funded cookware startups, she expressed that “it’s encouraging and inspiring to observe different approaches” and that these brands “appeal to distinct customer bases.”