Ben Cogan

Co-Founder

New York, New York, United States13 yrs 1 mo experience

Most Likely To SwitchHighly Stable

Key Highlights

Co-founded multiple successful DTC brands
Raised over $200 million in funding
Expert in direct-to-consumer marketing strategies

Stackforce AI infers this person is a DTC E-Commerce expert with a strong background in startup growth and investment.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

E-commerceDirect To Consumer MarketingPersonal Finance

Other Skills

Data AnalysisFinancial ModelingSurvey DesignQualitative ResearchPolicy AnalysisResearchPublic PolicyPublic SpeakingTutoringNon-profitsSocial MediaPoliticsInternational RelationsEditingGrant Writing

About

I'm the co-founder of Agora Brands, an e-commerce aggregator acquiring wonderful direct-to-consumer businesses searching for their next leg of growth, usually in partnership with founders ($32mm+ raised). I'm also the co-founder of Hubble Contacts, a DTC contact lens company ($73mm raised), Mockingbird Strollers ($45mm+ in revenue), and Willow Underwear ($8mm raised, sold to Because Market). Third, I'm an angel investor and advisor to some of the fastest-growing DTC e-commerce brands. Finally, I'm a personal finance aficionado who sometimes blogs about personal finance topics most relevant to entrepreneurs. If you'd like to book a call with me (100% to charity), can do so here: intro.co/bencogan

Experience

13 yrs 1 mo

Total Experience

4 yrs 9 mos

Average Tenure

8 yrs 9 mos

Current Experience

Sophrosyne bio

Co-Founder

May 2025 – Present · 1 yr

🌱 beanstalk: gathering 1,500+ of the most important consumer brands

Co-Founder

Jan 2025 – Present · 1 yr 4 mos · New York, New York, United States

Beanstalk is conference of the year for the DTC brand ecosystem.

Agora

Co-Founder

Jun 2021 – Present · 4 yrs 11 mos

Agora is a direct-to-consumer e-commerce aggregator (raised $32mm). We're acquiring wonderful DTC businesses and, usually, continuing to work with the founders. Please let me know if you're interested in partnering with us.

Personal FinanceE-CommerceDirect to Consumer Marketing

Willow

Co-Founder and Board Member

Oct 2017 – Dec 2019 · 2 yrs 2 mos · New York, United States

Willow is a direct-to-consumer adult incontinence underwear business. Raised $8mm and sold to Because Market in 2019.

Personal FinanceE-CommerceDirect to Consumer Marketing

Mockingbird

Advisor and Board Member

Aug 2017 – Present · 8 yrs 9 mos · Greater New York City Area

Mockingbird is a baby brand offering premium strollers for a fraction of the normal price. Launched in 2018 with now hundreds of thousands of strollers sold.

Personal FinanceE-CommerceDirect to Consumer Marketing

Hubble contacts

Co-Founder

May 2016 – Present · 10 yrs · New York

Hubble Contacts is the first DTC contact lens company selling our own brand of contacts ($72mm raised). Launched in 2016, we've generated many hundreds of millions in revenue and acquired more than 2 million customers.

Personal FinanceDirect to Consumer MarketingE-Commerce

Harry's grooming

Senior Customer Insights Associate

Jan 2015 – May 2016 · 1 yr 4 mos · Greater New York City Area

My first exposure to direct-to-consumer! Worked in an interdisciplinary role so learned a lot about DTC marketing, supply chain, customer service, engineering, finance, and overall strategy.

Personal FinanceE-CommerceDirect to Consumer Marketing