While it’s typically Zola’s newly engaged users that have exciting news to share, the company has an announcement of its own: It just raised a massive Series D funding round.
Existing investor Comcast Ventures, as well as new investors NBCUniversal, Goldman Sachs Investment Partners and others, contributed a total of $100 million to the wedding planning company.
When you consider that weddings are a $100 billion industry, the round is just a drop in the bucket — but a meaningful one. The funding will be used to help the company reach a number of its goals, including product and team expansion.
“Our goal is to offer all of the tools that couples need beginning the day they get engaged,” said CEO and co-founder Shan-Lyn Ma. “We are going to invest in our technology resources and product development in order to fuel innovation. We're also going to think about mass brand awareness so everybody knows about Zola. Also, we're hiring!”
You shouldn't have to use 10 or 20 different apps to plan one event — it should be seamless.”
The company, which was included on Built In NYC’s 50 Startups to Watch in 2018 list, was launched in 2013 by former Gilt Groupe employees and has seen explosive growth ever since. It’s raised over $140 million to date and has around 60 employees on its team.
What separates Zola from its competitors is its expansive platform that includes customer service coupled with modern tools and technology to help couples at every step of the engagement journey.
“[On Zola], couples have access to all of the tools they need to plan their wedding in one place,” said Ma. “You shouldn't have to use 10 or 20 different apps to plan one event — it should be seamless.”
