Saysh Secures $8M Series A Funding
Saysh is looking forward to launching activity-specific sneakers
Saysh, a lifestyle brand co-founded by Olympian Allyson Felix and her brother and business partner, Wes Felix, recently completed an $8 million Series A funding round. IRIS and Athleta led the Series A, with Redpoint Ventures and Springbank Collective also participating.
The exciting business news follows Felix’s announcement of her impending retirement. “Here’s to my final season,” she shared on Instagram.
Gap Inc.’s Strategic Growth Office facilitated Athleta’s investment, with Gap acquiring an equity stake in Saysh.
The women-focused lifestyle brand will use the new funds to expand its branded eCommerce, wholesale distribution, and community-based retail footprint.
Saysh will also be using the Series A funds to launch its activity-specific sneakers.
“This is an exciting next step for the brand, and we’re so grateful to those partners who see the potential for Saysh to help shape a better future for us all,” said Wes Felix, co-founder and CEO.
“Saysh, at its core, celebrates women and their voices, and this funding further empowers us to lead in that regard. We are now, more than ever, positioned to understand and meet the needs of our customers, delivering more value than ever before.”
Saysh’s footwear will now be featured on Athleta’s website as part of the new partnership.
Felix and Athleta have worked together in the past. Felix collaborated on an athletic wear collection and The Power of She Fund: Child Care Grants, a program that helped fund childcare costs for pro mom-athletes traveling to competitions.
“When we signed Allyson Felix as our first-ever sponsored athlete in 2019, we knew we wanted to do things differently by supporting her as a mom, athlete and advocate,” said Mary Beth Laughton, president and CEO of Athleta. “Today we are proud to continue supporting Allyson as an entrepreneur while fueling growth to the Athleta brand with our investment in Saysh.”
The female-focused founders created the Saysh One, $150, sneakers designed with women in mind. The brand has been intent on being attentive to the needs of women from the start; the company even implemented a Maternity Returns policy, which acknowledges how pregnancy can alter shoe size. Customers who become expectant mothers are eligible for a free replacement pair of Saysh One sneakers in their new shoe size under the policy.
The brand will release new Saysh One colorways to commemorate Felix’s final season. The new colors will be available this summer.
