From gourmet pet food to artisanal coffee, vinyl records, and diverse children’s books, these innovative companies are revolutionizing the way we discover and enjoy products. As the market continues to evolve, we’ve compiled a list of notable subscription box startups that are pushing boundaries, filling unique niches, and redefining convenience and personalization. Whether you’re a curious consumer or an entrepreneur looking for inspiration, these are the top subscription box companies to keep an eye on in the coming years.
Top Subscription Box Companies to Watch
Every year, new startups pull to the forefront of their industry through exciting innovation and industry-disrupting business models. We’ve rounded up the most exciting subscription box startups of 2024 that startup lovers, investors, and aspiring entrepreneurs should follow.
Disclaimer: With so many exciting startups launching and growing worldwide, we aren’t able to cover them all. Furthermore, the startups that are listed below aren’t officially ranked and and are listed in no particular order.
1. Butternut Box
- Location: London, England
- Founder(s): Kevin Glynn, David Nolan
- Founded In: 2016
- Funding: Series E, $479 Million
- Investors Include: General Atlantic, Hornet Ventures, Claret Capital Partners
Butternut Box is a UK-based subscription service that delivers fresh, homemade dog food directly to customers’ doors. The company offers personalized meal plans tailored to each dog’s individual needs, using human-grade ingredients. Butternut Box aims to provide convenient, nutritious, and portion-controlled meals for pets.
2. Trade
- Location: New York, New York
- Founder(s): Jono Schafler, Hugh Hunter, Nick Gavronsky, Eric Girouard
- Founded In: 2017
- Funding: Private Equity Growth, $21 Million
- Investors Include: Team Launch, JAB Holding Company, Madrona Venture Group
Trade is a subscription service that connects coffee lovers with high-quality, freshly roasted coffee from independent roasters across the United States. The company uses a quiz to match subscribers with coffees suited to their taste preferences and brewing methods. Trade focuses on supporting small-batch roasters and delivering coffee at its peak freshness.
3. Vinyl Me, Please
- Location: Denver, Colorado
- Founder(s): Matt Fiedler, Tyler Barstow
- Founded In: 2012
- Funding: Late Stage VC, $5.58 Million
- Investors Include: FirstTracks Ventures, Massive VC
Vinyl Me, Please is a record of the month club that curates and delivers limited edition vinyl records to music enthusiasts. The company offers different “tracks” or genres from which subscribers may choose, including Essentials, Classics, Hip-Hop, Country, and Rock. In addition to the monthly record, subscribers receive exclusive artwork and cocktail recipes to enhance their listening experience.
4. Maker Wine
- Location: San Francisco, California
- Founder(s): Sarah Hoffman, Kendra Kawala, Zoe Victor
- Founded In: 2019
- Funding: Early Stage VC, $2.79 Million
- Investors Include: The Chainsmokers, Pear VC, Inflection Capital
Maker Wine is a subscription service that delivers premium canned wines from independent winemakers directly to consumers. The company focuses on small-batch, high-quality wines that are typically not available in stores and packages them in convenient, single-serving cans. Maker Wine aims to support small winemakers while making premium wine more accessible and portable for consumers.
5. She’s Well
- Location: San Francisco, California
- Founder(s): Alex Vidovich, Zivana Zerjal
- Founded In: 2017
- Funding: Seed, $2.1 Million
- Investors Include: 500 Global, Alumni Ventures, Merck Capital Ventures
She’s Well offers women’s health-focused subscription plans that deliver curated products and services to support various aspects of feminine wellness. The company’s offerings include menstrual care products, supplements, self-care items, personal fertility planning, clinic matching, a digital health app, educational resources, and more. The company aims to empower women by providing them with tools and knowledge for better health and well-being.
6. Literati
- Location: Austin, Texas
- Founder(s): Jessica Ewing, Charlie DeTar, Kelly Carroll
- Founded In: 2016
- Funding: Series B, $82 Million
- Investors Include: Gaingels, Moxxie Ventures, Western Technology Investment
Literati is a book subscription service for kids that delivers curated selections of books chosen by notable authors, leaders, and celebrities. Each month, subscribers receive a box containing five books along with custom bookplates and personalized notes from the curator. The service aims to foster a love for reading and create a community of booklovers through its online platform and book clubs.
7. OurShelves
- Location: Yarmouth, Maine
- Founder(s): Alli Harper
- Founded In: 2018
- Funding: Grant, $73,900
- Investors Include: Maine Technology Institute
OurShelves is a children’s book subscription service focused on diverse and inclusive literature. The company curates books that feature characters from underrepresented identities, including LGBTQ+ individuals, people of color, and those with disabilities. The company’s mission is to increase representation in children’s literature and provide young readers with stories that reflect a wide range of experiences and identities.
8. Scentbird
- Location: Somerset, New Jersey
- Founder(s): Mariya Nurislamova, Sergei Gusev, Andrei Rebrov, Rachel Brink
- Founded In: 2014
- Funding: Series A, $23 Million
- Investors Include: Goodwater Capital, Brian Armstrong, The Garage Syndicate
Scentbird is a fragrance subscription service that allows customers to explore designer perfumes and colognes without committing to full-sized bottles. Subscribers receive a 30-day supply of a designer fragrance of their choice each month — delivered in a refillable, travel-size spray bottle. The service offers a wide selection of more than 500 authentic designer fragrances and allows users to build a queue of scents they’d like to try.
9. Bokksu
- Location: Claymont, Delaware
- Founder(s): Danny Taing
- Founded In: 2015
- Funding: Series B, $23.3 Million
- Investors Include: 186 Ventures, Kube VC, Sprint VC
Bokksu is a Japanese snack and tea subscription box that delivers authentic gourmet treats directly from Japan. Each monthly box is curated around a cultural theme and includes an assortment of snacks, candies, and teas along with a culture guide explaining the significance of each item. The company partners with local Japanese snack makers to introduce subscribers to unique flavors and support traditional craftsmanship.
10. Bespoke Post
- Location: New York, New York
- Founder(s): Steven Szaronos, Rishi Prabhu
- Founded In: 2011
- Funding: Series B, $47.5 Million
- Investors Include: Savano Capital Partners, Leonis Capital, NewSpring Capital
Bespoke Post is a lifestyle subscription box for men that delivers curated collections of unique, high-quality products across various categories like grooming, home goods, outdoor gear, and fashion accessories. Each month, subscribers can choose from several themed boxes or skip the month if nothing appeals to them. The company focuses on partnering with small brands and artisans to offer products that aren’t typically found in mainstream retail stores.
