Personal Care Vendor SOS Lands $3.4M in Funding

SOS, the women-founded interactive vending machine operator, has raised $3.4 million, the Boston-based company announced Monday (Nov. 15).

“The company is solving the age-old problem of broken, out-of-stock tampon machines with a modern device and service that delivers essential personal care and beauty products from today’s leading brands,” SOS said in the news release.

SOS had its genesis when co-founders and c0-CEOs Susanna Twarog and Robina Verbeek “noticed the alarming absence of quality health and wellness products at the office and in most public spaces,” the company said.

The SOS machine was the answer to this problem: an IoT-enabled device that delivers individually-packaged products.

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The machines are outfitted with touch screens that offer targeted content and cardless, contactless purchasing. SOS says it holds five patents in the U.S., Canada, Europe and China. Its machines can be found in public spaces including Fenway Park, FLA Live Arena, Prudential Center and Boston Children’s Hospital.

“Our machines transform a moment of panic into a moment of empowerment and choice,” said Verbeek. “We believe that convenient access must be paired with exceptional products and an elevated retail experience. ‘Quick and easy’ shouldn’t mean ‘cheap and shoddy,’ especially when it comes to women’s health. Everyone deserves better.”

Next up, SOS plans to bring 35 machines to FLA Live Arena — home to the Florida Panthers — and five machines to the Panthers IceDen in Coral Springs. Beyond that, the company aims to expand to new locations around the U.S., including California, Florida and New York.

This funding round was led by early-stage investor For Later LLC, with participation from the Khan family, owners of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Fulham F.C. Also in the round were Jerod Mayo, a New England Patriots coach and former player, Ju Rhyu, founder and CEO of Hero Cosmetics, and a number of investors from the worlds of real estate, retail, advertising, marketing, sports and entertainment.