Powered by People

About Powered by People

Powered by People operates as a business-to-business wholesale marketplace, specifically designed to connect independent makers of handmade goods with retail and trade buyers, primarily in North America. The company was founded in 2019, with a public launch in June 2021, by Ella Peinovich (CEO), Hedvig Alexander (VP of Community and Impact), and Alison Phillips (VP of Merchandising and Design). The founding team combines diverse experience in technology, economic development, retail, and design to address the challenges faced by small-batch producers in a global market. Hedvig Alexander, for instance, transitioned from a career as a Danish army captain to entrepreneurship, driven by a desire for social impact.

The firm's business model is centered on facilitating transactions within the creative manufacturing and handmade sector, a market forecasted to reach $1 trillion by 2024. Revenue is generated through a 15% commission on wholesale transactions conducted on its platform, although this fee is waived if a maker brings a new buyer to the platform themselves. The platform serves a community of over 3,000 maker partners across more than 100 countries, connecting them with major retailers such as West Elm, Pottery Barn, and Nordstrom. To address common pain points in international trade, Powered by People manages logistics, cross-border payments, and communications. It also provides crucial financial solutions, offering advance payments and financing to makers to manage cash flow and flexible payment terms to buyers.

A key feature of the company's offering is its proprietary digital toolkit, including the 'PBP Produce' tool, which provides both makers and buyers with transparency by allowing them to track the manufacturing process. This focus on technology aims to digitize and streamline operations for a traditionally underserved sector. In addition to its core marketplace (PBP MKT), the company operates specialized sales channels like PBP MKT+ and PBP DropShip, which cater to large retailers and enable selling without holding inventory. The company has successfully raised significant capital to fuel its growth, securing $1.5 million in a seed round in March 2021 and a subsequent $8 million in a Series A round in March 2023, part of a larger $13.6M financing effort.