Skullcandy designs and constructs premium headphone, earbuds, speaker docs, audio accessories and other audio-enabled, lifestyle products.
Background:
Skullcandy, a wireless-hardware pioneer, was founded in 2003 by Cris Williams and Rick Alden, an entrepreneur previously involved in snowboard-related ventures. Skullcandy’s products particularly appealed to consumers interested in outdoor sports; the company’s initial Portable Link product, introduced in the pre-iPhone era, allowed people to listen to music on a portable audio device, through headphones, while still being able to use their cellphone for calls. Fortune magazine called one of the company’s products “the world’s coolest ear bud.” Later, the company diversified into other, related audio products.
Outcomes:
Skullcandy went public on NASDAQ in 2011, with shares trading under the ticker SKUL. In 2016, the company was acquired by Mill Road Capital.
The presented case study investment was made in particular economic and market conditions. There can be no assurance that Battery Venture would elect, or be able, to exploit similar opportunities in a similar manner under similar or different economic and market conditions. More generally, there can be no assurances that the Battery vehicles will have comparable investment opportunities in the future. No assumptions should be made that any investments identified above were profitable. It should not be assumed that recommendations made in the future will be profitable or comparable to the portfolio company described in this case study. For a full list of all Battery Ventures investments, please click here.
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