Lumi

Lumi provides a specialized software platform designed to streamline packaging and supply chain management for e-commerce brands. The company operates as a marketplace that connects brands with a global network of packaging manufacturers, simplifying the process from quoting and design to manufacturing and delivery.

The company's history traces back to Jesse Genet and Stephan Ango, who met while studying at the Art Center College of Design. Their entrepreneurial journey began in 2009 with a photo-reactive dye called Inkodye, which they funded through successful Kickstarter campaigns. The challenges they personally faced in sourcing packaging for Inkodye directly inspired a pivot. In March 2015, with seed capital from Y Combinator, they launched Lumi.com, a software platform focused on solving the complex packaging needs of other growing businesses. This firsthand experience provided them with deep empathy for their future customers.

Lumi serves a diverse client base, from small businesses to large direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands such as Parachute Home, Nutrafol, and Misfits Market. The business model centers on its software platform, which offers tools for designing custom packaging, managing orders, and optimizing the supply chain. By centralizing a traditionally fragmented industry, Lumi provides transparency, control, and data-driven insights, allowing brands to make more efficient and sustainable packaging decisions. Revenue is generated through a combination of subscription fees for access to the platform and transaction fees tied to order volume.

The platform's core offering is a suite of tools that abstracts the complexities of manufacturing. Features include the Lumi Dashboard for order management and the Lumi Editor for design customization. It allows brands to connect with factories best suited for their specific job based on cost, quality, and lead times. A significant benefit for clients is the increased efficiency and cost savings achieved by streamlining the entire packaging workflow. The platform also emphasizes sustainability by providing data on materials, helping brands reduce their environmental impact. In December 2021, Lumi was acquired by Narvar, a post-purchase customer experience platform, to integrate its packaging services and enhance the end-to-end brand experience from 'pixel to package'.

Keywords: packaging supply chain, supply chain management software, e-commerce packaging, direct-to-consumer brands, custom packaging, packaging marketplace, manufacturing network, supply chain optimization, sustainable packaging, brand packaging solutions, Jesse Genet, Stephan Ango, Narvar, Y Combinator, packaging procurement, D2C logistics, online brand packaging, packaging design tools, supply chain visibility, packaging sourcing platform, scalable packaging