Grant LaFontaine
Los Angeles Metropolitan Area,United States
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Grant LaFontaine is a dynamic entrepreneur renowned as the Co-founder and CEO of Whatnot, a leading livestream shopping platform and community marketplace, particularly popular for collectibles like sports cards, Pokémon cards, and fashion. Launched in 2019 and a Y Combinator alumnus (W20), Whatnot has rapidly grown to unicorn status by creating an engaging, community-driven live commerce experience. Before Whatnot, Grant co-founded The Zebra in 2012, an innovative insurance comparison website, where he served as COO and helped scale the company significantly, also going through Y Combinator (S12). His expertise lies in building and scaling tech startups, fostering strong communities, and pioneering new forms of e-commerce.
Professional Summary
Grant LaFontaine's work history includes a series of influential roles in various companies. Here is a detailed list of his professional journey:
Notable Achievements
Co-founder & CEO of Whatnot
Co-founded Whatnot in 2019, leading it to become a premier livestream shopping platform with a valuation exceeding $3.7 billion. Successfully guided the company through multiple funding rounds and rapid user growth, revolutionizing the market for collectibles and live e-commerce.
Co-founder & COO of The Zebra
Co-founded The Zebra in 2012, an online car insurance comparison marketplace. Played a pivotal role in its growth, securing significant funding, and establishing it as a major player in the insurtech space before departing to start Whatnot.
Y Combinator Alumnus (Twice)
Successfully participated in the prestigious Y Combinator accelerator program with two different ventures: The Zebra (S12) and Whatnot (W20), demonstrating a consistent ability to develop compelling startup concepts.
Forbes 30 Under 30
Recognized in Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2017 (Enterprise Tech category for his work with The Zebra) for his significant contributions and entrepreneurial success in the technology sector.
Led Whatnot to Unicorn Status
Under his leadership, Whatnot achieved 'unicorn' status (a valuation of over $1 billion) remarkably quickly, highlighting his strategic vision and execution capabilities in the fast-paced tech industry.
Educational Background
Y Combinator - Year 2020
BA, Economics
Cornell University
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Company Overview
WhatnotWhatnot is a livestream shopping and community marketplace where users can buy, sell, and go live with collectors and other like-minded individuals. It primarily focuses on collectibles like sports cards, Pokémon cards, Funko Pops, fashion, comics, and sneakers, enabling real-time auctions, social interactions, and a vibrant community experience. The platform aims to bring the excitement of in-person collecting and shopping to an online, interactive format.
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