Branch

Branch operates as a direct-to-consumer and business-to-business office furniture company, positioning itself as an accessible alternative to high-end, slow-to-deliver contract furniture and lower-quality, 'fast furniture' options. Founded in 2018 by Greg Hayes, Sib Mahapatra, and Verity Sylvester, the New York-based startup aims to simplify the entire furnishing process from space planning and delivery to assembly and trade-ins.

The company's inception was a direct result of the founders' firsthand experiences with the complexities of furnishing commercial spaces. CEO Greg Hayes identified the market gap while managing real estate strategy for the flexible office provider Breather, where he faced the challenge of sourcing high-quality, affordable furniture at a rapid pace. This experience, combined with co-founder Sib Mahapatra's observations of startups struggling with furniture procurement and co-founder Verity Sylvester's background in real estate and design, formed the company's foundation. Branch's business model originally focused on enterprise clients, but the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 necessitated a swift pivot towards a direct-to-consumer strategy to cater to the burgeoning work-from-home market. This shift proved successful, driving significant revenue growth and expanding its customer base from under 100 to over 50,000 by 2021.

Branch generates revenue by selling its curated line of office essentials directly through its e-commerce platform, which cuts out traditional middlemen and dealer markups, allowing for prices that are reportedly up to 50% lower than comparable contract furniture. The product catalog includes ergonomic chairs, standing desks, workstations, storage solutions, and conference room furniture. For business clients, the company offers end-to-end services, including space design, white-glove installation, and a trade-in program where companies can exchange used Branch furniture for credit. A commitment to sustainability is another core tenet; the company uses recycled and recyclable materials and its trade-in program aims to reduce landfill waste.

Keywords: office furniture, direct-to-consumer furniture, B2B furniture, ergonomic chairs, standing desks, hybrid work solutions, workplace furnishing, commercial real estate furniture, sustainable furniture, office design services, flexible office setup, startup office outfitting, home office furniture, contract furniture alternative, e-commerce furniture, workspace solutions, modular office furniture, furniture trade-in program, affordable office furniture, New York startup