Sequoia-Supported Knowde Achieves Series C Funding Despite Reduced Valuation

Knowde, the digital marketplace specializing in chemicals and polymers, has successfully concluded a Series C financing round, as exclusively reported by TechCrunch.

This innovative startup, headquartered in San Jose, has secured $60 million during this funding phase, positioned below its previous $500 million valuation mark noted during its last fundraising effort, reveal sources close to the dealings. The company’s valuation now exceeds 20 times its annual recurring revenue (ARR), as informed by an individual privy to the deal. The investment round saw contributions from new financiers including Blue Cloud Ventures and Point72 Private Investments, with continuous support from Sequoia, an existing investor.

Knowde has chosen not to make any statements regarding this matter.

To date, the enterprise has amassed over $150 million in venture capital across various funding rounds. Its preceding funding event was a $72 million Series B, championed by Coatue in August 2021. Furthermore, Sequoia spearheaded a $14 million Series A round that was finalized in May 2020.

Having been established in 2017 by Ali Amin-Javaheri, who comes from a lineage of chemists and boasts extensive experience in the sector, Knowde aims to transform the chemical and polymer industry’s presence online. Before founding Knowde, Amin-Javaheri contributed his expertise to ChemPoint, which initially sought to digitalize the chemicals industry but later shifted focus towards a distribution intermediary role.

Currently hosting over 8,000 chemical suppliers, Knowde facilitates transactions for major brands such as Unilever, Johnson & Johnson, and P&G, to name a few.