BOSTON - Top the organic project (TOP), a women-owned, organic period product startup, has extended their seed round to raise US$2 million as they expand their presence in nationwide retailers and product offering.
The funding will enable TOP to capitalize on strategic expansion and partnerships, bolster marketing initiatives and grow their team as they seek to provide women and girls with better and healthier products for themselves and the planet.
The round was led by Massachusetts-based Mass Mutual through the MM Catalyst Fund, The Impact Seat, Maine Angels and Dirigo Angel Fund.
Since its founding in 2018, TOP has raised $3 million and expanded into 1,500 retailers nationwide, including Sprouts, HEB, Fresh Thyme, Wegmans, Fresh Market, Erewhon and more, leading to triple digit growth year over year.
“For too long, the feminine category and female-founders have been overlooked when it comes to investment in innovative, effective and sustainable solutions for girls and women,” said Thyme Sullivan, co-founder and CEO of TOP. “As former corporate executives and mothers to daughters, we plan to leverage this new capital to re-invigorate the category with the introduction of functional organic period products that bring joy and also support our goal of giving back to our communities.”
A community-built and minded brand, TOP also addresses the growing issue of period poverty in the U.S. by donating products to local organizations with every purchase made. To date, the company has donated nearly 750,000 period products to communities across the U.S. It also supports food banks and school districts through partnerships with philanthropic donors who enable organizations to purchase TOP products at community pricing.
“This funding is not only an investment in TOP but in all the women and girls who deserve access to period products that are healthy for their bodies and for the environment,” said Denielle Finkelstein, co-founder and president of TOP. “With a mission to end period poverty in the U.S. built into our business model, we are poised for growth that will enable us to donate more products and create new partnerships that increase accessibility to TOP organic products.”
All TOP tampons and pads feature 100% certified organic cotton free from synthetics, toxins, pesticides, dyes and fragrances. TOP tampons feature TOP’s trademarked Planticator, a plant-based tampon applicator, to replace the traditional plastic applicator design.
“TOP is poised to lead the category forward with innovative and effective solutions in feminine care,” added Susan Morris, investor at both Maine Angels and Dirigo Fund. “We’re proud to partner with two of the boldest women in the business who are also motivated mothers as they set a new standard in feminine care and create access to sustainable period products for all menstruators.”
Investors in this round of seed funding include: 37 Angels, Charlottesville Angel Network, Dirigo Fund, Maine Angels, NU Impact, Spacestation Investments, Warfield Capital Partners, Valedor Partners and individual angel investors.
