VAND
The Future of Shower Purification
New York, NY
Consumer Products
Design
The VAND turns any standard shower into an advanced water filtration system in seconds, with an easy DIY installation on to your existing shower head. Our dual-module system is the science-backed and data-driven solution for two issues – your local water quality and your individual health needs. The VAND is the complete package - constantly updating technology, wrapped in futuristic design - that gives you a better bathing and living experience every day.
$30,486
raised
79
Investors
$5M
Valuation
$1.00
Price per Share
$250.00
Min. Investment
Equity
Offering Type
$107K
Offering Max
0
Days Left
This offering ended on June 02, 2020 and is no longer accepting investments.
Reasons to Invest
Unique Product: Advanced filtration technology, backed by artificial intelligence, with latest-tech refills delivered automatically to your door
Large Market Growing Fast: U.S. Personal Care, is valued at US$ 140+ billion a year, with haircare and skincare as the largest and fastest growing categories
Vertical Integration with Subscription Model: Projected margins of 75%+ and $500+ avg customer lifetime value (CLTV)
The Problem
Pollutants in Public & Private Water
Multiple harmful pollutants in water have been identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency in its Contaminant Candidate List (CCL), now made searchable by your zip code.
According to the Environmental Working Group's report on Government Water Standards, there are no legal limits for over 160 unregulated contaminants in U.S. tap water, while many chemicals' Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) have not been updated for over 50 years.
Public water increasingly contains many biological, chemical and physical pollutants that can cause multiple unwanted issues; such as drying and aging effects on skin and hair, hair loss, skin reactions like dermatitis, internal imbalances from minerals, reactions to chemicals and gases released, exacerbate chronic acne, rosacea inflammation and/or extreme sensitivity etc. According to Olga Naidenko, Ph.D., a senior science adviser at the Environmental Working Group (EWG), chlorine and other chemicals do not have to be ingested to cause health problems, she says, as studies have shown that lifeguards and frequent swimmers at indoor pools with high levels of chlorine have experienced problems such as exacerbated asthma symptoms.
In addition, over 85% of the households within the United States have hard water; its high levels of calcium and magnesium can really have negative impacts on your hair – leaving your hair feeling dull and lifeless. Soft water might not pose as tough a problem, but it still comes with its own set of challenges. "It takes longer to thoroughly cleanse hair of styling products, which results in product buildup on the scalp. This is especially an issue if you have naturally oily or fine hair—leftover products remaining on the scalp weigh hair down and make it feel greasier," salon owner and hairstylist Oscar Blandi, as reported in Glamour.
The Solution
Advanced Shower Water Purification
What makes the VAND so advanced? Our unique data-driven and science-based approach.
video
Our high-tech, dual-module system contains a subtractive filter cartridge that filters out pollutants from your water, while an additive cartridge that adds vitamins and minerals to your water.
In the background, our proprietary algorithms constantly monitor water quality data from your local utility, and combine it with personal health data you provide, to create a water filtration solution customized to your exact location and your individual health needs. As your filtration needs change - by season, location, new pollutants, etc. - our technology automatically sends you the latest refill filters, delivered via our refill subscription model.
The Market
Large & Growing Market Ideal for Disruption
- Large Market: U.S. Personal Care market is $140+ billion, with haircare and skincare the largest and fastest-growing categories
- No Clear Market Leader: Multiple indistinguishable hardware-focused models we believe unsuccessful in driving adoption in key demographics
- Tech Innovations Under-utilized: One-size fits all approach without algorithmic customization. No data dashboard component
- Inconvenience at All-Time High: Complex purchase process, no subscription model, insufficient trial mechanisms, delayed threat response
- Ideal market demographic conditions for VAND
- Tech-centric millennials have started nesting
- Gen-X & Y are leading data-driven bio-hacking
- Baby boomers are resorting to data & tech to prolong the life
We believe spending on preventive, immunity-boosting, care products is growing fast with an increased awareness of contaminants in our air and water
Our Traction
Loved for Functionality, Innovation & Design
- Positive Customer Response: Our paid-media marketing trials on Facebook, targeting millennial women ages 22-37, and received over 1,500 pre-order sign-ups with only $4,000 in ad-spend
- Re-seller Inquiries: Our website received unsolicited international wholesale inquiries from France, Australia, UK, Saudi Arabia, and Japan
And the media loves us too!
Even while we are just accepting reservations, we won the Editors’ ‘Innovation Award’ by GadgetFlow, and earned praise from both New Atlas and Yanko Design.
What We Do
Advanced Technology, Customized for You
The VAND dual-module system enables our innovative approach to individualized filtration.
Our subtractive modules contain customized versions of a high-tech 5-stage filtration membrane, customized to the water in your zip code. Our additive module primarily contains organically sourced Vitamin-C, which instantly negates 99.9% of chlorine and chloramines in your water, as well as other vitamins and minerals based on your personal health questionnaire.
We have meticulously designed this system to work instantly, without any noticeable drop in flow pressure, or any change in color or bad taste. Your water comes out fresh, clean, and pure.
Merging data, science, and statistics for one of the most advanced ways to purify your water
5 different Subtractive Filters
x
5 Different Additive Modules
=
25 Different Module Combinations
Our algorithms constantly monitor changes in the water, by season for example, and send you the appropriate refills as you need them. Over time, with enough data, our systems get smarter, predicting and delivering the modules as your water changes; For example, after a prolonged drought, or from the surge caused by melting snow.
By purifying the water we create contamination and chemical-free experience for you. In the short term, better water calms inflammation response and boosts skin immunity, while acid mantle protection and balance are restored. In the long term, we believe your family’s general health is tangibly improved.
How We Are Different
"Digitally Native Vertical Brand" Born in the R&D Lab
Our company is evolving from a research and design beginning to a complete digitally native vertical brand (DNVB), maintaining full control over our entire supply chain – research, design, testing, manufacturing, branding, marketing, e-commerce and fulfillment.
Our customer engagement is end-to-end, with a tightly controlled branding and messaging throughout, leveraging social media to connect directly with our end consumers. We have already developed the product and have a functioning prototype; our next step is full-scale manufacturing. We directly source the materials for our proprietary design and retain full control over manufacturing, inventory, and distribution, ensuring no margin leakage to discounters or re-sellers.
As other digitally native vertical brands (DNVB) have emerged as leaders in their respective sectors, (for example Casper in mattresses, Away in luggage, Warby Parker in eyewear, etc.), they have left behind proven strategies for us to emulate. We aim to retain a leading branding agency, with a proven track record of building successful brand strategies for DNVBs, to further strengthen our marketing efforts.
The Business Model
Vertical Integration Maximizes Investor Returns
Subscription Model: Plans for a negative cash conversion cycle, as suppliers get paid monthly, long after customers pay the company annually.
Vertical Integration: Increases profit margins to a projected 75+%, as we maintain tight control over entire supply chain – design, manufacturing, fulfillment - and eliminate middlemen, wholesalers, re-sellers and discount retailers. Based on our own research, web-only brands grow nearly three times faster than total e-commerce.
Return on Ad Spend (ROAS): Our goal is a high 6X ROAS. With large amounts of ad inventory cheaply available, we are hopeful for an upwards trend.
High projected Customer Lifetime Value (CLTV): With a subscription model, the goal is to reach $500+ per customer
Low tested Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): In our view, with no social-media-driven brand in this category, no bidding wars for targeted ads.
The Vision
Evolving Sector Ripe for Disruption
While Big Tech is focusing on the living room, and Sleep Tech is emerging, we believe Bath Tech remains dominated by large, slow-moving incumbents. Young and nimble startups - Quip in dental care, Harry's in Men's Grooming, etc. - have successfully disrupted the status quo with innovation, design and the DNVB playbook.
Our Team
Experience Meets Talent and Expertise
Co-founders Koustubh and Sankalpa have decades of experience in management consulting, finance and entrepreneurship, with stints at major multinational corporations and multilateral development agencies. To bring their vision for VAND to life, they have brought together a talented team with deep expertise in their respective functions. They have also built a strong company advisory board that includes leaders in the fields of research, industrial design, product development, branding/marketing and manufacturing.
As Improved IoT & bio-mechanical sensors will provide richer data, while AI & better analytics will improve recommendations and health outcomes, we plan to incorporate these developments into our future products. The VAND is just the beginning of our journey to be at the forefront of this emerging arena – the connected bathroom.
Why Invest
Unique Opportunity at the Future of Health & Retail
This is an opportunity to invest in the future of personal healthcare – driven by technological advances in hardware such as nano-composite membranes, and bio-sensors, as well as in software such data mining, machine learning, predictive analytics and other areas of artificial intelligence.
This is also an opportunity to invest in the future of retail faces immense challenges, DNVBs have emerged as the nimbler alternative – vertical integration enabling tighter feedback loops, social media powering multi-point customer engagement throughout the product experience journey, and in-house research and design fueling higher margins.
We have built the product, we have the customers, now we need you to help us manufacture VAND and bring it to life!
Offering Summary
Company | : | Vand Labs Inc. |
Corporate Address | : | 225 Cherry Street, 58H, New York, NY 10002 |
Offering Minimum | : | $10,000.00 |
Offering Maximum | : | $107,000.00 |
Minimum Investment Amount(per investor) | : | $250.00 |
Terms
Offering Type | : | Equity |
Security Name | : | Common Stock |
Minimum Number of Shares Offered | : | 10,000 |
Maximum Number of Shares Offered | : | 107,000 |
Price per Share | : | $1.00 |
Pre-Money Valuation | : | $5,000,000.00 |
Voting Rights in this Offering
Voting Proxy. Each Subscriber shall appoint the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the “CEO”), or his or her successor, as the Subscriber’s true and lawful proxy and attorney, with the power to act alone and with full power of substitution, to, consistent with this instrument and on behalf of the Subscriber, (i) vote all Securities, (ii) give and receive notices and communications, (iii) execute any instrument or document that the CEO determines is necessary or appropriate in the exercise of its authority under this instrument, and (iv) take all actions necessary or appropriate in the judgment of the CEO for the accomplishment of the foregoing. The proxy and power granted by the Subscriber pursuant to this Section are coupled with an interest. Such proxy and power will be irrevocable. The proxy and power, so long as the Subscriber is an individual, will survive the death, incompetency and disability of the Subscriber and, so long as the Subscriber is an entity, will survive the merger or reorganization of the Subscriber or any other entity holding the Securities. However, the Proxy will terminate upon the closing of a firm-commitment underwritten public offering pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 covering the offer and sale of Common Stock or the effectiveness of a registration statement under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 covering the Common Stock.
Investment Incentives and Perks*
All Investor Owners Club
- 10% lifetime discount on in store purchases with exclusive FOUNDER code
- Early access to new products, limited edition products, etc.
- Private owners group for feedback, suggestions, referrals, new business opportunities, etc.
Early Bird
- First 48 hours: Friends and Family Early Birds | 10% bonus shares + Free VAND + 1yr refills
- Next 5 days: Early Bird Bonus | 5% bonus shares + Free VAND
Volume
- $1,000 + : 1 Free VAND + 1 yr free refills + 2% bonus shares
- $2,000 + : 2 Free VAND + 2 yrs free refills each + 3% bonus shares
- $5,000 + : 3 Free VANDs + Lifetime free refills + 5% bonus shares
- $20,000 + : 10 Free VANDs (gift-able) + Lifetime free refills + 10% bonus shares
The 10% Bonus for StartEngine Shareholders
Vand Labs Inc. will offer 10% additional bonus shares for all investments that are committed by investors that are eligible for the StartEngine Crowdfunding Inc. OWNer's bonus.
This means eligible StartEngine shareholders will receive a 10% bonus for any shares they purchase in this offering. For example, if you buy 100 shares of Common Stock at $1 / share, you will receive 110 Common Stock, meaning you'll own 110 shares for $100. Fractional shares will not be distributed and share bonuses will be determined by rounding down to the nearest whole share.
This 10% Bonus is only valid during the investors eligibility period. Investors eligible for this bonus will also have priority if they are on a waitlist to invest and the company surpasses its maximum funding goal. They will have the first opportunity to invest should room in the offering become available if prior investments are cancelled or fail.
Investors will only receive a single bonus, which will be the highest bonus rate they are eligible for.
Irregular Use of Proceeds
The Company might incur Irregular Use of Proceeds that may include but are not limited to the following over $10,000: Salary payments made to one’s self, a friend or relative. Vendor payments.
Show More
Most recent fiscal year-end:
Prior fiscal year-end:
Total Assets
$16,065.00
USD
$0.00
USD
Cash And Cash Equivalents
$14,305.00
USD
$0.00
USD
Accounts Receivable
$0.00
USD
$0.00
USD
Short Term Debt
$0.00
USD
$0.00
USD
Long Term Debt
$0.00
USD
$0.00
USD
Revenues And Sales
$0.00
USD
$0.00
USD
Costs Of Goods Sold
$0.00
USD
$0.00
USD
Taxes Paid
$0.00
USD
$0.00
USD
Net Income
-$86,575.00
USD
$0.00
USD
Risks
A crowdfunding investment involves risk. You should not invest any funds in this offering unless you can afford to lose your entire investment. In making an investment decision, investors must rely on their own examination of the issuer and the terms of the offering, including the merits and risks involved. These securities have not been recommended or approved by any federal or state securities commission or regulatory authority. Furthermore, these authorities have not passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this document. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission does not pass upon the merits of any securities offered or the terms of the offering, nor does it pass upon the accuracy or completeness of any offering document or literature. These securities are offered under an exemption from registration; however, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has not made an independent determination that these securities are exempt from registration.
Updates
Beyond COVID-19. How Vand Labs plans to define the new normal and emerge stronger!
about 2 years ago“The Great Recession of 2007-09 saw transformational companies emerge in segments such as the sharing/gig economies and alternative currencies. This crisis will likely spur innovation that is every bit as transformative.” – EYQ Think Tank
The Vand Team would like to assure our investors, existing and potential, that we remain committed to bringing the VAND to life. We have been closely monitoring how the pandemic can affect the company vision, and despite initial challenges, we now find the news to be more positive than negative.
Some points to note regarding the larger market environment:
- Increased consumer demand for water filtration and air purifiers: Industry watch groups are reporting triple-digit sales increases of water filtration devices, replacement filters and soda machines reflected concerns around water. Consumers also focused on keeping a healthier living environment, NPD said, more than doubling dollar sales of handheld specialty cleaning appliances. While VAND Labs might not benefit immediately from this surge in demand, we expect this demand to remain steady at a higher value than pre-2020 levels.
- Recovered supply chains and manufacturing activity: The manufacturing economy should continue to pick up in the coming months. Conditions are on the mend in all our supplier locations. The supply chain is back on track to improve as economies overseas begin to exit lockdowns. Factories have brought most workers back to staff production lines after the shutdowns in the first quarter and are increasing production, and inventories are being build up again.
The Vand team is actively pursuing multiple paths to achieve viability faster, with a clearer path to success:
- Innovative E-commerce: Since e-commerce spending has been skyrocketing, we have been exploring non-dilutive, revenue financing options like Clearbanc, Sellers Funding and Shopify Capital. This would enable the company to expand without diluting shareholder equity.
- Partnerships: We continue to align with the best of each vertical in our supply chain. This gives us access to the most proven expertise while helping us avoid common pitfalls.
- Institutional Investments: We are actively pitching to VCs, and are getting positive feedback on our designs, plans and vision. Some of our investors here on StartEngine have connected us with VCs so we could raise additional capital. Thanks!!! If any ore of you have such contacts, please feel free to reach out anytime. Thanks!
Thank you for all your support, and for believing in our vision despite the challenging times. In the coming months, we will continue to keep you updated on our progress.
Team VAND
VAND Labs at the Forefront of Hyper-personalization
about 2 years agoVand Labs is at the forefront of a new wave of ‘hyper-personalization’ in personal care.
Hyper-personalization leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and real-time data to deliver more relevant content, product, and service information to each user. This approach takes customer engagement a step further.
The benefits:
- Reduces the effort required by customers to get what they are looking for by removing any obstacles in the sales funnel which leads to an uncluttered and simplified shopping experience.
- eliminates the problem of “choice-overload” wherein a customer feels overwhelmed with a wide range of options. Considering around 39% of customers leave a website and buy from a competitor after being drowned with options, hyper-personalization helps solve this by providing them with only those options that they actually need, delivered via subscription
Already, startups in the sectors of health, beauty and wellness are leveraging technology - science, data, and AI – to hyper-personalize your regimens.
As we would like our investors, current and potential, to be aware of the latest consumer trends, we have compiled a quick reference list of other startups at the cutting edge of AI-driven hyper-personalization. Some examples:
- Prose and Function of Beauty offer customized hair care products like shampoos and conditioners
- Rootine and Care Of offer personalized vitamins
- Mealhero offers personalized meal reccomendations
With large numbers of consumer already convinced of the benefits of hyper-personalization, they form the perfect core target market for the VAND. For example, if there are large, and growing, numbers of consumers using customized shampoo, then they should also be attracted to the VAND; it is a complimentary product that would improve the efficacy of their customized shampoo.
How do we do it?
Please join us at the forefront of technology driven change in consumer products and services.
Thanks for all your support!
Team VAND
VAND Labs Chooses SHIPBOB as Logistics Partner
about 2 years ago
Vand Labs has chosen ShipBob as its complete logistics solution – with reliable fulfillment services, warehouses near our customers, and connected technology that powers the fulfillment network, ShipBob helps improve transit times, shipping costs, and the delivery experience for Vand customers.
With ShipBob technology plugged into our e-commerce systems, we sill always know the exact status of every order shipment, so we can give our customers exactly what they ordered. We use ShipBob’s network of fulfillment centers to strategically split and manage our inventory to reduce shipping costs and transit times.
Over 3000 e-commerce businesses, at all stages of growth, have already partnered with ShipBob. Read more customer stories here. We continue to align with the best as we build out the VAND vision; we see it as the best way to ensure rapid growth.
Thanks for all your support!
Team VAND
🔥 Vand Labs Second Funding Goal Passed 🔥
about 2 years agoWow!
Despite the challenging times, the Vand Campaign has surpassed its second funding goal of $50,000 raised!
This momentum has not gone unnoticed by the crowdfunding community. In the words of Kingscrowd, the Vand Labs campaign is a "Deal to Watch: Customized Water Filtration for Every Home".
To thank all of our investors for their generous support, we have decided to increase the lifetime discount on our online store purchases from 10% to 20%, with exclusive FOUNDER code. Please help us get to $100,000 raised, so we can increase the discount even further - to 30% off!
Thanks everyone!!
Team Vand
Founders' Message on COVID-19
about 2 years agoDear Investors and Supporters,
The coronavirus outbreak is first and foremost a human tragedy, affecting the health of hundreds and thousands of people worldwide. We sincerely hope that you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy throughout this challenging time.
This outbreak is also turning into an economic tragedy – supply chains disrupted, manufacturing priorities rearranged, spending patterns changed, and jobs lost. We have been closely monitoring the situation as it affects the company. While we hope that these disruptions are temporary, we want to keep you updated on how they could be affecting your investment into Vand Labs Inc.
We believe that providing you with operational insights into our company is the best way to help you reach informed investment decisions. This transparency is now more important than ever.
Macro Insights:
- Over half of Fortune 500 companies were created during a recession or bear market, and over 50 tech unicorns collectively valued at $145.2 billion, were founded during the 2007-2009 recession years
- Startups are the main net job creators in the economy, and this is especially true in any downturn. The world needs startups now even more than ever.
Company Insights:
- Largest expenses are behind us: The founder-funded company has already incurred significant expenses of research, development, prototyping and testing. Product designs are complete. Patents applications are filed. Contract manufacturing capacity is secured.
- No Debt: The company has no outstanding invoices, vendor dues or debt obligations
- Targeted Use of Proceeds:
- Most proceeds from this raise will be used for customer acquisition – branding, marketing and advertising – which should result in direct e-commerce revenue.
- Founders are not drawing salaries until the company has stable revenues from product sales.
- Lower Customer Acquisition Costs: With large overall decreases in spending on digital ads, the bid prices for ads has gone down.
- Stabilized Supply Chain: We rely on the same world class supplier network used by major brands such as Dyson, Kohler, and Miele. Our manufacturers are now coming out of a 2-month quarantine with extensive new health safety standards in place; capabilities are already being ramped up, with 100% capacity to be reached by May 1st. On the marketing and e-commerce side, our NYC and Copenhagen based partners are fully operational, with safety precautions in place, and ready to go.
- Higher Projected Demand: There is an increased public awareness for the need to purify our living spaces from harmful pollutants. Cleaning and purifying products are already in high demand and we expect that to be the norm into the foreseeable future.
- No change in Timeline: We remain confident in our ability to meet all projected milestones.
Thank you for your support. We promise to work our hardest to ensure that your confidence is realized soon.
Many thanks!
Team Vand
VAND Labs Chooses Innovative Production Hub ANVYL
about 2 years ago
Vand Labs has chosen Anvyl as its complete supply chain management platform – it is the production hub where we can manage suppliers, oversee production, and track in-depth product data. We will always know what’s happening in our supply chain, so we can give customers exactly what we promised them.
Anvyl streamlines supply chain communication, automates workflows, and delivers real-time production analytics from order to delivery. Multiple innovative brands are already thriving with Anvyl’s supply chain management solution.
Together we will build out the VAND vision. Please join us!
Thanks!
Team VAND
VAND Refer-A-Friend Campaign Launched
about 2 years ago
We immensely value the support of our early investor community. As a token of our appreciation, we have providing you with the earliest access to the VAND Refer-A-Friend campaign.
You can be one of the first to give away your own, individualized, referral link to your friends, who can then score a free VAND at launch, by simply spreading the word. No purchase necessary.
Enlarging our user base is the quickest path towards increasing company value. Lets recruit our friends and family to make the VAND a success! Click here to get started.
Thanks!
Team Vand
🔥 Vand Labs First Funding Goal Reached in One Day! 🔥
about 2 years ago
We are thrilled to share that the Vand Labs crowdfunding round minimum on StartEngine was 100% funded... in just over 24 hours!
It is truly exciting to see such a high level of support from the early investing community, especially in such challenging times. We look forward to continuing the journey together as we build this company.
If you are interested in owning a stake, and receiving brand new investor perks, please visit our offering page and join our first batch of 24 investors by clicking here.
Many thanks!
- Team Vand
👋 We are on Facebook and Instagram. Crowdfunding works best when we have the crowd involved; please help us get the word out. Thanks!
VAND Design Patent Application Filed with USPTO
over 2 years ago
We are thrilled to share that we have filed a patent application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for the design of the VAND as a water treatment device.
Patent application:
"BE IT KNOWN that Koustubh Parulekar has invented a new, original and
ornamental design for a water treatment device, of which the following is a specification,
reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof."
Assignment of Intellectual Property: All rights were immediately assigned to Vand Labs Inc.
WHEREAS, I, KOUSTUBH PARULEKAR, (Assignor) has invented certain new and useful improvements that are described and claimed in United States Patent Application Number 29/729,922 filed March 31, 2020, entitled WATER TREATMENT DEVICE
WHEREAS, VAND LABS INC., 225 Cherry Street, #58H, New York, NY 10002 (US) (Assignee), is desirous of acquiring the entire interest in and to said invention, said application, and all patents to be obtained therefrom.
Design Patent:
DESIGN V. UTILITY: A "design patent" protects an article's ornamental appearance (e.g., the way an article looks) (35 U.S.C. 171), while a "utility patent" protects the way an article is used Commissioner for Patents and works (35 U.S.C. 101) ornamental appearance of an article includes its P.O. Box 1450 shape/configuration or surface ornamentation upon the article, or both. Both a design Alexandria, VA 22313‐1450 and a utility patent may be obtained on an article if invention resides both in its ornamental appearance and its utility. For more information, see MPEP § 1502.01.
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