Ogee

About Ogee

Ogee, a Burlington, Vermont-based company, operates in the luxury organic skincare and makeup market. Founded in 2014 by Mark Rice, Abbott Stark, and Alex Stark, the company was established to address a perceived gap in the beauty industry for high-performance, certified-organic products. The founding team combines diverse expertise: Mark Rice has a background in luxury fashion, having co-owned and managed the John Galliano brand; Abbott Stark possesses extensive experience in skincare formulation from his time at a contract manufacturer; and Alex Stark brings a strong foundation in operations and logistics. This blend of skills guided the company's vision to merge luxury branding with stringent organic standards.

The company's product development journey took over two years to perfect its formulations and achieve organic certification before its official launch in 2016. A significant milestone was winning the 2016 LaunchVT pitch competition, which provided crucial early-stage funding. Since then, Ogee has secured additional capital, including a $7.07 million Series A round in 2021, to fuel growth, expand its product lines, and support entry into new sales channels. The business primarily operates on a direct-to-consumer (DTC) model through its website, which accounts for the majority of its revenue, complemented by sales on Amazon and through high-end retail partners like Bluemercury and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Ogee's product portfolio is centered around the core ingredient of organic Jojoba Oil, sourced from an American desert farm and cold-pressed to maintain its antioxidant levels. The company's proprietary "Hydraganics™" technology is utilized across its skincare and makeup lines, which include serums, oils, facial wipes, and a popular collection of multi-tasking complexion and face sticks. These products are formulated to be buildable and blendable, offering both color and moisturizing benefits. Ogee's commitment to clean beauty is underscored by its NSF certification, which requires at least 70% organic ingredients and ensures products are free from synthetic chemicals, fragrances, and dyes. This positions the brand as a premium offering for consumers seeking effective, transparent, and ethically produced beauty solutions.