Dame

Dame operates in the sexual wellness market, producing intimacy products designed to close the 'pleasure gap.' The company was founded in Brooklyn in 2014 by sexologist Alexandra Fine and MIT-educated mechanical engineer Janet Lieberman-Lu. Fine holds a Master's in Clinical Psychology from Columbia University with a focus on sex therapy, while Lieberman-Lu's background is in mechanical engineering and product development at firms including MakerBot. Their combined expertise in human sexuality and engineering guides the firm's product development.

The business generates revenue through a direct-to-consumer model via its website and a wholesale business that has doubled annually for two consecutive years as of late 2022. Its products are sold through major retailers like Sephora, Bloomingdale's, and Nordstrom. The company's product line includes various vibrators, such as the 'Eva' hands-free couples' vibrator and 'Arc' G-spot vibrator, alongside consumables like arousal serum and lubricants. Product development is a collaborative process, leveraging feedback from its 'Dame Labs' community to ensure designs meet user needs.

Dame has achieved several notable milestones, beginning with its first product, Eva, which set a record as the most-funded sex toy in crowdfunding history, raising $575,000 on Indiegogo. In 2016, its 'Fin' finger vibrator was the first sex toy to be allowed on Kickstarter. The company has also been an advocate for destigmatizing sexual wellness, notably suing the NYC MTA in 2019 for discriminatory advertising practices and settling in 2021. To fuel growth, Dame secured $4 million in seed funding in 2021 and a $7 million Series A round in 2022, bringing its total capital raised to over $13 million.

Keywords: sexual wellness, intimacy products, sex-tech, women-founded, pleasure gap, D2C, e-commerce, consumer goods, crowdfunded, hands-free vibrator, medical-grade silicone, personal lubricant, clinical board, sex education, female pleasure, clitoral stimulation, couples vibrator, retail partnership, user-centered design, product innovation