The Verticale announces acquisition of The Helm Shop

The Verticale, an online marketplace for conscious consumerism and values-driven shopping founded by Jaclyn Grauman and Michelle Silverstein, has acquired The Helm Shop’s assets and IP. The Helm Shop is the e-commerce arm of a New York City-based venture firm, The Helm, led by Lindsey Taylor Wood and Julie Weber, which is committed to elevating and investing in female entrepreneurs. With the acquisition, Wood and Weber will join The Verticale as strategic advisors to help bring more visibility to women-owned brands. The Verticale will onboard many of The Helm Shops’ brand partners that meet the marketplace’s values, incorporating them into and expanding the site’s existing women-owned brands vertical.

“As female founders, the women-owned category on The Verticale is one that’s personally important to us. Having seen firsthand how undervalued women are when it comes to venture funding with less than 3 percent of capital going toward women, we are committed to putting an emphasis on women-led brands and giving them the visibility that they deserve,” said Grauman in a statement.

“By incorporating The Helm Shop’s brand partners into The Verticale and bringing on Lindsey and Julie as strategic advisors, we’re able to build a strong team and foundation to make change in the industry and continue to strengthen our commitment to supporting and promoting women-owned businesses,” added Silverstein in a statement.

The Verticale was founded in 2019 with the mission to reorient the e-commerce landscape and allow contemporary shoppers who are concerned about the social causes to support brands that are trying to create positive change. The Verticale categorizes brands and allows customers to shop by value like Responsible Materials, Black-Owned, Reducing Waste, Local Craftsmanship, and Clean Ingredients. Women-owned, which currently includes 44 percent of the brands on the site, will now include all the brands that transition from The Helm, positioning the marketplace as a leader in supporting female-founded and operated brands.

“People are increasingly recognizing the impact that companies have on society and on the planet, and they want to shop at places where their values and money can align. By partnering with The Verticale, we are joining a larger movement. One that not only offers an alternative to less intentional marketplaces but proves that conscious consumerism provides both social and financial returns for customers and investors alike,” said Wood in a statement.