COMPANY
When Whipstitch was introduced to Uqora, the company was a fast-growing, women’s health leader, selling innovative proactive urinary tract health and urinary tract infection (UTI) relief products. Founded by Jenna Ryan and Spencer Gordon, Uqora’s effective products were sold with an empathy-first/education-rich philosophy, leading to highly-satisfied customers and industry-leading DTC metrics. Uqora sold exclusively through its own website (www.uqora.com). Jenna and Spencer envisioned the next stage of Uqora’s growth from channel and product line extensions and thought finding the best partner to sell the company to would help them execute their vision.
WHIPSTITCH FIT
Uqora hired Whipstitch to facilitate a majority transaction with either a private equity investor or strategic acquirer. The shareholder’s strong preference was to sell 100% of the business. Uqora selected Whipstitch as their investment banking partner for the firm’s deep knowledge and expertise in the direct-to-consumer channel, its strong relationships with strategic acquirers and financial sponsors and Whipstitch’s depth of knowledge and experience working in the CPG space. As both founder-led and owned firms, Whipstitch and Uqora had a strong cultural fit.
RESULTS
Whipstitch garnered multiple offers from strategic acquirers from its process, and Uqora chose to move forward with Pharmavite (a subsidiary of Japanese-based company, Otsuka Pharmaceutical). Pharmavite believed in Jenna and Spencer’s vision, brought extensive brick-and-mortar experience, and access to product development resources through Otsuka. Uqora’s strong brand equity in women’s health and direct-to-consumer know-how was a perfect match. Most importantly, a strong cultural fit provided a clear path towards the best possible chance for post-transaction success.
