Exclusive: Warby Parker Seeks to Raise $75 Million
Warby Parker is looking to raise $75 million for its Series E round of financing, Cheddar has learned.
The eyewear company disclosed its plans to raise money in a filing with the state of Delaware on March 7 that was signed by its president Neil Blumenthal and provided to Cheddar by [Lagniappe Labs](https://primeunicornindex.com/).
A spokesperson for Warby Parker didn't respond to a request for comment.
The company last raised $100 million in 2015 for its Series D at a $1.2 billion valuation. It's is seeking a higher share price for its Series E, which indicates that its valuation will likely be higher after it completes the financing round.
Since last raising money, Warby Parker has significantly expanded its retail footprint and plans to have nearly 100 stories open in the U.S. by the end of 2018. Last year it opened a $16 million optical lab dedicated to building its own glasses in-house. And in January, it started selling products for kids for the first time.
Warby Parker has raised $216 million in total since its founding in 2010 from investors such as General Catalyst, T. Rowe Price, and Lerer Hippeau Ventures.
*Reporting by Alex Heath*
Nestlé has dismissed its CEO Laurent Freixe after an investigation into an undisclosed relationship with a direct subordinate. The company announced on Monday that the dismissal was effective immediately. An investigation found that Freixe violated Nestlé’s code of conduct. He had been CEO for a year. Philipp Navratil, a longtime Nestlé executive, will replace him. Chairman Paul Bulcke stated that the decision was necessary to uphold the company’s values and governance. Navratil began his career with Nestlé in 2001 and has held various roles, including CEO of Nestlé's Nespresso division since 2024.
Kraft Heinz is splitting into two companies a decade after they joined in a massive merger that created one of the biggest food companies on the planet. One of the companies will include brands such as Heinz, Philadelphia cream cheese and Kraft Mac & Cheese. The other will include brands like Oscar Mayer, Kraft Singles and Lunchables. When the company formed in 2015 it wanted to capitalize on its massive scale, but shifting tastes complicated those plans, with households seeking to introduce healthier options at the table. Kraft Heinz's net revenue has fallen every year since 2020.
About 780,000 pressure washers sold at retailers like Home Depot are being recalled across the U.S. and Canada, due to a projectile hazard that has resulted in fractures and other injuries among some consumers.
