Catch Co. secures $6m funding to continue ambitious growth plans

Catch Co, the Chicago-based digital sport fishing brand platform, has closed a $6 million funding round, led by existing investor, Listen Ventures.

“These funds will be used to support Catch Co. in its mission to create amazing fishing brands, products and shopping experiences for the modern angler,” said Catch Co. Part of the capital will go toward investing in new product categories, like Catch Co.’s latest expansion of its first-ever fishing rod, developed in collaboration with YouTube influencers, the Googan Squad, and which sold out during pre-orders.

Founded in 2012, Catch Co. has grown from offering a monthly fishing tackle subscription,Mystery Tackle Box, to selling its own fishing lures and rods, launching the Karl’s Bait & Tackle e-commerce platform and producing in-depth content.  The company added to its digital-first approach last year by getting its products into retailers including Dick’s Sporting Goods and Walmart.

“Brands today are being built at the intersection of content, community and commerce,” said Rick Desai, Managing Partner at Listen Ventures, a venture capital firm.  Catch Co. has executed on this model brilliantly and built the fastest-growing brand in fishing Listen is all-in on this dynamic brand and team and its goal to move consumers to the outdoors.”

Catch Co. reports year-over-year growth rates approaching 100%. In 2021 it expects to deliver over 2.5 million Mystery Tackle Boxes and anticipates membership of its Karl’s Bait & Tackle e-commerce site to top 50,000 anglers – a 500% increase since its 2018 launch.  Its  ‘Unchartered’ content just surpassed 15 million minutes streamed on YouTube and Amazon Prime.

“Catch Co. and Mystery Tackle Box were born out of our passion for authentically engaging with our customer community, which plays a major role in how we develop products and content,” says Ross Gordon, the company’s founder & CEO. “Since the very beginning our focus has been on genuinely connecting with modern anglers in ways that build unmatched brand loyalty. We are making fishing more enjoyable, inclusive, and accessible for tens of millions of anglers and our approach is not only helping us grow, it’s growing the sport.” Catch Co.’s other brands include 10,000 Fish, BioSpawn and Heavy Metal Tungsten.