Sēkr, an American, all female-owned start-up and creator of The Vanlife App, an app that provides community connections and outdoor travel resources in one, has closed its first funding round. With a 400-percent increase in camping activities in the U.S. this year (according to The Guardian), the two founders, Breanne Acio and Jessica Shisler, are currently experiencing a surge of new members. According to Sēkr, investors Backstage Capital, Storyteller Overland and Gaingels recognize that the fast-growing startup is primed for growth and contributing to real social change. They join existing investors, including Techstars, Andy Ballester, co-founder of GoFundMe, and Silvia Mah, founding partner of Ad Astra Ventures. “Backstage Capital has invested in more than 150 companies led by underrepresented founders, and we are happy to add Sēkr to that list,” said Arlan Hamilton, founder of Backstage Capital. “I started this fund to invest in those such as Sēkr who are led by overachieving, yet underestimated founders.”
As a public benefit corporation (PBC), Sēkr is also committed to protecting and giving back to public lands by donating a portion of annual proceeds to the outdoor community.
