Leesa is a direct-to-consumer online mattress company founded in 2014 by David Wolfe and Jamie Diamonstein. The company is headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States. Leesa was established with the mission to create a better place to sleep for everybody and to give back to society. Leesa is also a certified B Corporation, which highlights the company’s commitment to social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.

Company History

The inception of Leesa came about when David Wolfe, a serial entrepreneur, and Jamie Diamonstein, a mattress industry veteran, decided to combine their expertise to create a simplified and customer-focused mattress buying experience. They noticed that the traditional mattress industry was complex and confusing for customers, with numerous mattress models and unclear pricing strategies. To address this issue, the founders aimed to design a universally comfortable mattress that could be easily ordered online and shipped directly to the customer’s doorstep.

In 2014, the company launched its first product, the Leesa mattress, which was a 10-inch, three-layer foam mattress. The mattress was designed with a proprietary foam called Avena foam, which was intended to provide a cooler and more responsive sleep experience compared to traditional memory foam. The mattress also incorporated memory foam for pressure relief and a dense foam base for support.

Product Offerings

Over the years, Leesa has expanded its product offerings to cater to a broader range of customers and preferences. The company now offers four different mattresses:

Leesa Original: The flagship product, a three-layer foam mattress that combines Avena foam, memory foam, and support foam.

Leesa Hybrid: Introduced in 2018, this mattress combines a layer of pocket springs with foam layers for a balance of support, responsiveness, and pressure relief.

Leesa Legend: Launched in 2019, this luxury hybrid mattress features two layers of pocket springs, zoned support, and Leesa’s proprietary foam layers.

Leesa Studio: This is an affordable, three-layer foam mattress designed for those on a budget.

In addition to mattresses, Leesa also offers a range of sleep accessories, including bed frames, pillows, sheets, duvets, and mattress protectors.

Funding Rounds

Leesa has raised funds through several financing rounds to support its growth and expansion plans. In 2015, the company raised $9 million in a Series A funding round, which was led by TitleCard Capital and included participation from other investors. This investment enabled Leesa to expand its product line and invest in marketing initiatives.

In 2017, Leesa secured $23 million in a Series B funding round, which was led by One Better Ventures and included participation from existing investors. This funding round supported the company’s expansion into the United Kingdom and the development of its brick-and-mortar retail presence.

Acquisitions

In August 2018, Leesa acquired Sapira Sleep, a premium mattress brand that offered a luxury hybrid mattress. This acquisition allowed Leesa to expand its product offerings and cater to customers seeking a luxury hybrid mattress. Sapira’s product was later rebranded and integrated into Leesa’s product lineup as the Leesa Hybrid mattress.

Partnerships

Leesa has formed various strategic partnerships to support its growth and impact initiatives. In 2016, the company entered into a partnership with Pottery Barn, a home furnishings retailer, to sell its products through the retailer’s online platform. In 2017, Leesa also partnered with West Elm, another home furnishings retailer, to showcase its mattresses in West Elm stores across the United States and sell them through the retailer’s website.

Awards and Recognitions

Leesa has received several awards and recognitions for its products and corporate social responsibility initiatives. Some of the notable accolades include:

B Corporation Certification: Leesa became a certified B Corporation in 2016, signifying its commitment to social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.

Good Housekeeping Seal: In 2018, the Leesa Original mattress was awarded the prestigious Good Housekeeping Seal, which is granted to products that have been rigorously tested and meet the Good Housekeeping Institute’s standards for quality, safety, and performance.

Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies: In 2019, Leesa was recognized by Fast Company as one of the most innovative companies in the retail sector.

Inc. 5000: Leesa was included in Inc. magazine’s annual list of the 5000 fastest-growing private companies in the United States in 2018 and 2019.

Social Impact and Philanthropy

Leesa has been committed to social responsibility since its inception. The company has established a social impact program, which focuses on three main areas:

Donations: Leesa has a “One-Ten” mattress donation program, through which the company donates one mattress for every ten sold. These mattresses are given to non-profit organizations that serve homeless shelters and at-risk individuals. As of September 2021, Leesa has donated over 37,000 mattresses to those in need.

Environmental Sustainability: Leesa is dedicated to reducing its environmental impact by using CertiPUR-US certified foams in its mattresses, which are free of harmful chemicals and have low VOC emissions. Additionally, the company has committed to planting one tree for every mattress sold, in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation. Leesa aims to plant one million trees by 2025.

Supporting Local Communities: Leesa has partnered with various non-profit organizations to provide employment opportunities for at-risk individuals. The company works with organizations like the Bowery Mission in New York City, the Alpha Project in San Diego, and the Men’s Shelter of Charlotte to offer jobs and vocational training.

In summary, Leesa is a pioneering online mattress company that has successfully disrupted the traditional mattress industry with its customer-centric approach, simplified product offerings, and commitment to social and environmental responsibility. The company has expanded its product lineup over the years, secured multiple funding rounds, and formed strategic partnerships to fuel its growth. Leesa has also received numerous awards and recognitions for its products and corporate social responsibility initiatives.