[Julian Carter]

Great breakdown, Arun! As someone who’s invested in early-stage beauty & wellness startups, I’ve seen brands struggle with funding because they focus too much on branding instead of business structure.

✔ Investors want scalable supply chains – If a brand can’t secure reliable manufacturing & distribution, growth stalls. ✔ Retail placement matters – Direct-to-consumer is great, but retail partnerships provide sustainability & investor confidence. ✔ Loyalty-driven revenue models – Brands that build strong repeat customer bases prove long-term viability.

One thing I tell founders: Think beyond the influencer model—investors aren’t funding popularity, they’re funding execution.

Curious—what beauty & fashion startups have impressed you with their funding strategies lately?

[Julian Carter]

Eric, this is a solid breakdown—influence alone isn’t enough when scaling into a real, investable business. Wellness and fitness startups that treat their audience as customers, not just followers, are the ones seeing serious traction.

I’ve backed fitness tech startups that secured angel funding and Series A rounds, and the biggest success factor? Structured monetization from the start.

✔ B2B partnerships drive long-term sustainability—wellness brands that tap into corporate health programs or gym networks grow faster. ✔ AI and personalization are becoming non-negotiable—investors want to see adaptive tech solutions beyond basic coaching models. ✔ Repeat revenue matters more than reach—subscription platforms with high retention rates get funded, while one-off product sales struggle.

Curious—what fitness & wellness startups are catching your attention right now? Who’s executing at the next level?