Golden Seeds Leads Two Seed Series A Financings for New York Companies

NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Golden Seeds has announced recent investments in social media company Honestly Now, and ecommerce website Bespoke Global. Both New York companies boast female founders, and women directors will be added to each company's board: Tereza Nemessanyi is the CEO and Co-Founder of Honestly Now together with Bob Petrie, COO, where Peggy Wallace, Managing Director, will take a board seat; Bespoke Global was co-founded by CEO Gwen Carlton and Pippa McArdle, CMO, where Vicky Elenowitz, Managing Director, will take a board seat.

Honestly Now is a social game which helps people make the best personal decisions, together. "We want to make the world better – by sharing our burning questions and wise advice with each other," said Nemessanyi. Wallace, who led the deal for Golden Seeds, said "The site is a fun, fast forum for feedback on just about any topic. I like that it is designed for positive energy to prevail." Co-investor Jim Estill, who led the deal for Canrock Ventures and is also a member of Golden Seeds, is assuming a second board seat.

Bespoke Global is the first ecommerce website to aggregate bespoke home furnishings - providing direct access to custom-made goods previously unavailable to the global consumer. "We fill a considerable hole in the luxury market by linking previously inaccessible artisans with their international customer base," said CEO Gwen Carlton. Elenowitz observed that it is rare to find a founder team with a very deep understanding of how to build and groom a luxury brand on a global scale such as Bespoke Global promises.

"We are delighted to have closed two very early stage financings in the thriving New York City entrepreneurial environment," said Stephanie Hanbury-Brown, Managing Director, Golden Seeds.

About Honestly Now

Honestly Now (www.honestlynow.com) is a social game which helps people make the best personal decisions, together. Its web and mobile Q&A platform transforms real-life tricky questions into conversations which delight, educate and entertain, while providing high-value marketing for local professionals. The company was founded in New York City in 2011 by Tereza Nemessanyi and Bob Petrie.

About Bespoke Global

Bespoke Global (www.BespokeGlobal.com), is the first international ecommerce website aggregating bespoke home furnishings – goods previously unavailable to the global consumer. Bespoke Global offers clients bespoke capabilities, as well as exclusive items, one-of-a-kind pieces and interior design services. The company was founded in New York City in 2010 by Gwen Carlton and Pippa McArdle.

About Golden Seeds

Golden Seeds is an investment firm dedicated to achieving above market returns for investors through the empowerment of women entrepreneurs. Golden Seeds has four primary operations: an angel network of 200 men and women (the fourth largest in the US), two venture capital funds (Fund 2 remains open for investment by accredited investors through December 12th 2011), an educational academy, and a private equity business. www.goldenseeds.com

Contact: Mirella Cicio 1-888-629-6774 ext. 55

SOURCE Golden Seeds