Stance
Stance is a San Clemente, California-based premium lifestyle and performance apparel brand best known for designer socks, underwear and T-shirts. Founded in 2009 by Jeff Kearl, John Wilson, Taylor Shupe, Ryan Kingman and Aaron Hennings, the company reinvented the sock category by combining bold artist-driven designs with proprietary fabric innovation. Stance built a direct-to-consumer business alongside wholesale distribution and high-profile partnerships across NBA, MLB, MotoGP, Disney, Marvel, Star Wars and Rick and Morty. The company raised roughly $131M from venture investors including Mercato Partners, Kleiner Perkins, August Capital, Menlo Ventures, Shasta Ventures and Sherpa Capital before being acquired by Marquee Brands in November 2025, after which Stance transitioned to a licensing model with United Legwear & Apparel as its core global licensee.
Acquired
Stance has been acquired
This company is no longer available on our private secondary market.
Overview
Company data and valuation marks are estimates and may be incomplete, stale, erroneous, or revised.
Founded
2009
Employees
201–500
Total Funding
$101M
5 rounds
Latest Valuation
$0.4B
April 28, 2016
Funding
Total raised $101M across 5 rounds
Funding data and valuation marks are estimates and may be incomplete, stale, erroneous, or revised.
Last updated 06-25-2026
Latest Round
Type
Series D
Date
April 28, 2016
Amount
$30M
Valuation
$0.4B
Lead Investors
| Date | Round | Amount Raised | Valuation | Lead Investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 28, 2016 | Series D | $30M | $0.4B | Mercato Partners |
| March 2015 | Series C | $50M | — | |
| 2013 | Series B | $15M | — | Menlo Ventures |
Prominent Investors
Leadership
Competitors
Competitor list is illustrative and may be incomplete, stale, or erroneous.
Bombas
DTC sock and apparel brand known for comfort innovation and a one-for-one donation model to homeless shelters.
Smartwool
Colorado-based Merino wool sock and base-layer brand (owned by VF Corporation) focused on performance and outdoor.
Happy Socks
Swedish sock brand founded in 2008 known for bold, colorful and graphic designs sold globally via DTC and wholesale.
Darn Tough
Vermont-based maker of Merino wool performance socks with a lifetime guarantee, competing in outdoor and athletic categories.
Feetures
Performance sock brand specializing in running and athletic socks competing with Stance's athletic and lifestyle lines.
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