 | |
| Type of business | Private |
|---|---|
| Available in | English |
| Headquarters | New York City |
| Founder(s) | Ben Kaufman |
| Key people | Gina Waldhorn, President |
| Parent |
|
| URL | www |
| Registration | Optional |
| Users | 1.2 million+ |
| Launched | June 2009 |
| Current status | Inactive |
Quirky was an invention platform that connected inventors with companies that specialized in a specific product category. [1]
Quirky was founded in 2009 by Ben Kaufman. [2]
In April 2010, Quirky received $6.5 million in Series A venture capital funding, led by RRE Ventures. [3] The company later received a $16 million Series B round in August 2011 led by Norwest Venture Partners, and a $68 million Series C round in September 2012 led by Andreessen Horowitz and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. [4] Then, in November 2013, Quirky raised $79 million in Series D funding from General Electric (GE) as well as its venture investors Andreessen Horowitz, Norwest Venture Partners, RRE, and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. [5] Part of the deal included a $30 million investment from GE, as well as a partnership to build 30 connected-home gadgets together in the next five years. [6]
In 2011, a reality television series named Quirky debuted on the Sundance Channel following events at the Quirky office. [7]
The May 6, 2012, episode of CNN's The Next List featured CEO Ben Kaufman and the company. [8]
On July 31, 2015, Ben Kaufman stepped down as CEO following a layoff of 111 employees due to trouble getting funding. [9] [10] [11] [12] [13]
On September 22, 2015, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. [14] [15] The company's assets, including its website and most of its products, were bought by Q Holdings for $4.7 million in late 2015, despite objections from General Electric. [16] [17] [18] Quirky's smart home Wink platform was sold to Flextronics for $15 million in November 2015. [19] [20]
It was announced on February 8, 2016, that the company had new financing and owners. [21]
As of April 24, 2024, Quirky's invention submission platform is not accessible. [22]
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