Today, Southern California-inspired activewear brand Vuori announces a $400 million investment from SoftBank Vision Fund 2 at a valuation of $4 billion USD, marking one of the largest investments in a private apparel company. The investment underscores excitement in the surging brand, known for its performance clothing that is built to move in yet styled for everyday life, as it sets sights on the international market.
Since Founder and CEO Joe Kudla launched the brand in 2015, Vuori has established itself as a frontrunner in the crowded activewear market for offering a differentiated, versatile perspective on performance apparel. After garnering widespread attention and loyalty from consumers in the United States, the brand will begin its international expansion next year, launching an omnichannel business in key markets throughout Western Europe and Asia Pacific and an innovation center in Taiwan. While growing its global distribution, Vuori will double down on retail expansion in the U.S. with more than 100 store openings slated for the next five years.
“SoftBank has a long track record of identifying market-leading companies and supporting entrepreneurs with bold visions,” said Joe Kudla, Founder and CEO of Vuori. “We are grateful to have their partnership as we move into an exciting new period of growth and evolution as a company.”
Source: Business Wire