{{Short description|Dog toy and treat subscription box}} {{Infobox dot-com company | name = BarkBox, Inc. | logo = BarkBox logo.svg | logo_size = 200px | company_type = E-commerce, subscription service | traded_as = Public | foundation = | dissolved = | location = New York, New York, United States | locations = | incorporated = | area_served = US and Canada | founder = {{Unbulleted list|Carly Strife|Matt Meeker|Henrik Werdelin}} | chairman = | chairperson = | president = | CEO = Matt Meeker | MD = | GM = | key_people = | industry = | products = | services = | revenue = {{increase}}$365 million(2020)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pymnts.com/news/ipo/2020/barkbox-files-1-6-billion-ipo-following-acquisition-by-northern-star/#:~:text=BarkBox%20sells%20monthly%20subscription%20boxes,fiscal%20year%20ending%20March%2031.|title = BarkBox: Acquisition by Northern Star, $1.6B IPO|date = 17 December 2020}}</ref> | operating_income = | net_income = | assets = | equity = | owner = | num_employees = 450 | parent = | divisions = | subsid = | url = {{URL|www.barkbox.com}} | website_type = | advertising = | registration = | num_users = | language = | launch_date = {{Start date and age|2011|12}} | current_status = | screenshot = | caption = | footnotes = }}
'''BarkBox''' is a monthly subscription business providing dog products, services, and experiences. Bark serves over two million dogs monthly through BarkBox and Super Chewer subscriptions and retail distribution.<ref name =Needleman2013>{{cite web | url = https://blogs.wsj.com/accelerators/2013/03/22/are-you-ready-to-go-from-founder-to-top-dog/ | title = Are You Ready to Go From Founder to Top Dog | work=The Wall Street Journal| author = Sarah E. Needleman | date = 22 March 2013| accessdate = 28 July 2014}}</ref><ref name = Perez2014>{{cite web | url = https://techcrunch.com/2014/07/11/barkbox-series-b/| title = Doggie-Focused Bark & Co (BarkBox) Raises $15 Million Series B | website = TechCrunch | author = Sarah Perez | date =11 July 2014| accessdate = 28 July 2014}}</ref><ref name =Primack2014>{{cite web | url = http://fortune.com/2014/07/14/deals-of-the-day-mylan-finds-its-tax-inversion-partner/ | title = Deals of the day: Mylan finds its tax inversion partner | work= Fortune | author = Dan Primack | date = 14 July 2014| accessdate = 28 July 2014}}</ref><ref name =Marikar2014>{{cite web | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/13/fashion/social-media-stars-use-instagram-twitter-and-tumblr-to-build-their-career.html?_r=0| title = Turning 'Likes' Into a Career| work=The New York Times| author = Sheila Marikar | date = 11 July 2014| accessdate = 28 July 2014}}</ref><ref name =McCarthy2013>{{cite web | url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/fueled/barkbox-founder-matt-meek_b_4223439.html | title = BarkBox Founder Matt Meeker is Building A Community for Man's Best Friend| work = The Huffington Post| date =28 July 2014| accessdate = 28 July 2014}}</ref><ref name = Shontell2013>{{cite web | url = http://www.businessinsider.com/barkbox-revenue-and-barkcare-2013-6 | title = BarkBox Generates $1 Million Per Month, Wants To Become A $5 Billion Company in 5 Years| work =Business Insider| author = Alyson Shontell | date = 10 July 2013| accessdate = 28 July 2014}}</ref>
On December 17, 2020, Barkbox, Inc. and Northern Star Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: STIC.U), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company, announced that they had entered into a definitive merger agreement. As a result of the transaction, which values the Company at an enterprise value of approximately $1.6 billion, Bark will become a publicly listed company on the New York Stock Exchange under the new ticker symbol, "BARK".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/barkbox-to-be-acquired-in-1-6-billion-deal-11608174012|title = WSJ News Exclusive | BarkBox to Go Public in $1.6 Billion Deal|newspaper = Wall Street Journal|date = 17 December 2020|last1 = Scott|first1 = Charity L.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/barkbox-to-go-public-through-merger-with-spac-northern-star-acquisition-as-ticker-changes-to-bark-2020-12-17|title = Barkbox to go public through merger with SPAC Northern Star Acquisition, as ticker changes to 'BARK' | date=17 December 2020 }}</ref>
==History== The company was founded December 2011 by Carly Strife, Matt Meeker, and Henrik Werdelin.<ref name = Needleman2013/><ref name =McCarthy2013/> Prior to co-founding BarkBox, Meeker co-founded the social networking site Meetup.com.<ref name =Needleman2013/><ref name = Shontell2013/><ref name =Drell2013>{{cite web | url = http://mashable.com/2013/08/20/scaling-smarter-barkbox/ | title = Top Dog: BarkBox's Mission to Reinvent the Pet Industry | website = Mashable| author = Lauren Drell| date = 20 August 2013| accessdate = 28 July 2014}}</ref> Meeker is CEO.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220110005941/en/BARK-Co-Founder-and-Executive-Chairman-Matt-Meeker-to-Become-Chief-Executive-Officer.html|title=Co Founder and Executive Chairman Matt Meeker to Become CEO}}</ref> Werdelin had founded Prehype.
In April 2013, the company raised $6.7 million in a venture funding.<ref name =McCarthy2013/><ref name = Drell2013/><ref name =Griffith2013>{{cite web | url = http://pando.com/2013/10/25/mock-all-you-want-barkbox-is-laughing-all-the-way-to-the-bank/ | title = Mock all you want: Barbox is laughing all the way to the bank| work = PandoDaily| author = Erin Griffith | date = Oct 25, 2013| accessdate = Jul 28, 2014}}</ref> The company surpassed the $25 million revenue run rate the same year.<ref name = Griffith2013/> Bark received an additional $15 Million in Series B funding led by Resolute.vc, along with RRE, BoxGroup, Lerer Ventures, Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments, Slow Ventures, Daher Capital, CAA, Vast Ventures, and City National Bank in 2014.<ref name = Perez2014/><ref name =Primack2014/>
Bark launched BarkCam in early 2014, a photo sharing app which operates as an "Instagram for dogs" and their owners.<ref name="Bell2014">{{cite web|url=http://mashable.com/2014/07/16/barkcam-app/|title=BarkCam Helps the Pet-Obsessed Take Better Dog Portraits|author=Karissa Bell|date=Jul 16, 2014|work=Mashable|accessdate=28 July 2014}}</ref>
BarkBox allows owners to personalize their dog's monthly subscription boxes based on their dog's needs. Each dog is unique and requires different toy options to match their style of play.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://faq.barkbox.com/hc/en-us/articles/235858747-Super-Chewer-Versus-Customizing-Your-BarkBox|title=Super Chewer Versus Customizing Your BarkBox|website=BARK|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-06}}</ref>
==Products and services==
*BarkBox, a monthly subscription service for dogs.<ref name = Drell2013/> Each BarkBox has at least 2 toys, 2 treats, and a chew each month, all based on a monthly theme.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://dogendorsed.com/is-barkbox-worth-it/|title=Is BarkBox Worth It? Coupons included.|date=2018-12-20|website=Dog Endorsed|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-04}}</ref> *Bark Bright, a dog wellness product line. The company launched the first Bright product in October 2019 with Bright Dental<ref>{{cite news |last1=King |first1=Rachel |title=Exclusive: The Makers of BarkBox Are Moving Into an Often Overlooked Space in Pet Wellness |url=https://fortune.com/2019/10/30/barkbox-bark-bright-dogs-dental-care/ |work=Fortune |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Alcantra |first1=Ann-Marie |title=Bark Expands Into Health With a Dog Dental Care Solution |url=https://www.adweek.com/retail/bark-the-dtc-dog-brand-expands-into-health-and-wellness/ |work=Adweek}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bender |first1=Kelli |title=Brushing Your Dog's Teeth Just Got Easier Thanks to This Tooth Brush That's Also a Treat |url=https://people.com/pets/bright-dental-dog-toothbrush-treat/ |work=People}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Gerard |first1=Emily |title=Hate brushing your dog's teeth? This dental kit will make it a breeze |url=https://www.today.com/shop/dental-kit-will-make-brushing-your-dog-s-teeth-breeze-t175872 |work=Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Steele |first1=Lauren |title=Spending more time with your dog? These 12 ingenious toys and accessories will make both your lives happier |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90497569/spending-more-time-with-your-dog-these-12-ingenious-toys-and-accessories-will-make-both-your-lives-happier |work=Fast Company |date=29 April 2020}}</ref> — an enzymatic gel toothpaste and dental chew. Bright Dental received an honorable mention in ''Fast Company''{{'s}} World Changing Ideas 2020 and a mention in ''Time''{{'s}} Best Inventions 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Clendaniel |first1=Morgan |title=World Changing Ideas Awards 2020: Consumer Products Finalists and Honorable Mentions |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90492180/world-changing-ideas-awards-2020-consumer-products-finalists-and-honorable-mentions |work=Fast Company |date=28 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=BARK Bright Dental: Special Mention on The 100 Best Inventions of 2019 |url=https://time.com/collection/best-inventions-2019/5734560/bark-bright-dental/ |magazine=Time}}</ref> *Bark Essentials, every day items for dogs such as a memory foam dog bed with bed sheets and poop bags.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Crump |first1=Tiana |title=A Memory Foam Dog Bed With 10,000+ Raves & 4 More Pup-Approved Picks On Amazon |url=https://www.bustle.com/p/the-5-best-memory-foam-dog-beds-22417072 |work=Bustle |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Rose |first1=Megan |title=Your Dog Has Been Dreaming of These Beds ... |url=https://www.bestproducts.com/lifestyle/pets/g30190611/best-dog-beds/ |work=Best Products |date=29 December 2019}}</ref> *Bark Eats, a dog-food delivery service launched in March 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dispatch.com/business/20200331/bark-starts-dog-food-delivery-service|title = Bark starts dog-food delivery service}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://calmingdogbeds.co.uk/|title = Calming Donut Dog Bed}}</ref> *BarkPost, a dog-themed content site.<ref name="Shontell2013" /><ref name="Donfro2013">{{cite web | url = http://www.businessinsider.com/barkbox-adds-media-maven-and-dog-parent-cathie-black-to-its-board-2013-10 | title = BarkBox Adds Media-Maven and 'Dog Parent' Cathie Black TO Its Board| work = Business Insider | author = Jillian D'Onfro | date = Oct 2013| accessdate = Jul 28, 2014}}</ref> *BarkBuddy is similar to a "Tinder for dogs", as users can swipe left or right depending on their level of interest in the dog.<ref name =Stampler2014>{{cite magazine | url = https://time.com/132095/tinder-for-dogs/ | title = Sick of the People on Dating Apps? Now There's a Tinder for Dogs | magazine = Time | author = Laura Stampler | date = 20 May 2014| access-date = 29 July 2014}}</ref><ref name="Faircloth2014">{{cite web | url = http://jezebel.com/theres-finally-a-tinder-for-adoptable-dogs-1582201953 | title = There's Finally a Tinder for Adoptable Dogs| website = Jezebel| author = Kelly Faircloth| date = May 27, 2014 | accessdate = Aug 6, 2014}}</ref> The free app, available for iPhone and Android,<ref name="Eley2014" /> is designed to match humans with dogs up for adoption at nearby shelters, and users can filter choices by gender, location, activity level, age, and size.<ref name="Eley2014">{{cite web | url = http://www.today.com/pets/tinder-dogs-barkbuddy-app-matches-pet-lovers-local-rescues-2D79730864 | title = Tinder for dogs? BarkBuddy app matches pet lovers with local rescues | website = Today | author = Amy Eley | date = May 29, 2014 | accessdate = Aug 6, 2014}}</ref> The app is connected to rescue centers and shelters across the United States and Canada, and there are approximately 300,000 dogs in the database.<ref name="Stampler2014" /><ref name="Faircloth2014" /><ref name="Eley2014" /> The app sources many of its adoptable dogs from the pet adoption website Petfinder and from BARK's personal network of shelters and rescue organizations.<ref name="Faircloth2014" /> * Bark Air, a private jet service for dogs and their owners.<ref name="Backman2024">{{cite news |last1=Backman |first1=Melvin |title=There's a new $6,000-a-flight airline for dogs and of course it's called Bark Air |url=https://qz.com/barkbox-bark-air-airline-for-dogs-1851407666 |work=Quartz |language=en}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist|2}}
Category:2011 establishments in New York City Category:Online retailers of the United States Category:Subscription services Category:Pet stores Category:Dogs in the United States