Human, Inc. Raises $5 Million in Seed Funding

Well-funded Seattle startup emerges from stealth mode

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Apr 21, 2016, 08:15 ET

SEATTLE, April 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Human, Inc. today announced it has raised $5 million in seed funding. The funds will enable the Seattle-based company to further expand its 40-person team of industry-leading designers and engineers and continue development of its yet-to-be announced technology.

While not yet offering specifics or confirming timing of a future product launch, Human has offered glimpses into its plan to transform today's audio industry.

"We've received overwhelming encouragement and support," said Ben Willis, co-founder and CEO of Human, Inc. "The size and quality of our funding is a byproduct of our industry-altering vision and the remarkable team we've assembled. Tech is about to change in a very big way, starting with how we experience sound."

Funding was led by several accomplished super angels and serial entrepreneurs, including Fred Warren, former Co-Founder and Managing Director of Los Angeles firm, Brentwood Associates. Warren has over 40 years of experience investing in promising early-stage companies, including Apple Inc. Other round leaders include Kurt Beecher Dammeier, CEO of Sugar Mountain Capital. Dammeier was also an early Amazon.com, Root Metrics and AllRecipes.com investor. Daniel Darling, Managing Director of Darling Ventures, a San Francisco Bay firm specializing in early-stage startups and technical entrepreneurs, also led the round.

"There's something very special going on at Human," said Dammeier. "There's been little innovation in audio technology in the past several years. This team has a clear vision and plan to deliver a product that enhances and complements our everyday lives."

Since its inception in late 2014, Human has quietly been developing technology and assembling a team of experienced designers and engineers in a 10,000 square-foot-lab at the historic Old Rainier Brewery in Seattle's SoDo neighborhood. To date, Human has attracted industry-leading professionals from multiple divisions of Microsoft, including the wearables department and Xbox. The most notable personnel addition is Bill Moore, former Root Metrics and AllRecipes.com CEO, who joined the company as Executive Chairman and President.

This is Human's second round of seed funding. In 2015, the company closed an initial round of $700,000 in 48 hours.

"We're excited to step out of stealth mode," said Joe Dieter, co-founder and CMO of Human, Inc. "Throughout the rest of the year, we'll be sharing our technology vision with the world by exploring and answering the question – who is Human?"

For more information about Human and to keep up with coming announcements, please visit http://www.whoishuman.io/ or follow us on Instagram (www.instagram.com/human_sound) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/humaninc.sound).

About Human, Inc.
Human, Inc. is a Seattle-based company whose products seek to bridge the gap between people and technology. Human was founded in 2014 by Benjamin Willis and Joe Dieter who believe the future of technology is only reserved for the most purposeful, natural, utility-driven products. For more information about Human, please visit http://www.whoishuman.io/ or follow us on Instagram (www.instagram.com/human_sound) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/humaninc.sound).

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Human, Inc.