Etsy is a popular online marketplace for handmade and vintage items, as well as craft supplies and tools. It has become a go-to destination for those looking for unique and creative goods. However, many people may wonder who owns Etsy and how the company has evolved over time.
Etsy was founded in 2005 by Robert Kalin, Haim Schoppik, and Chris Maguire, who launched the website using their existing company. The founders completed the website in just two and a half months, and it quickly gained popularity among those looking to buy and sell handmade items. Since then, Etsy has grown significantly and has acquired other online marketplaces and eCommerce sites.
Despite its growth, Etsy has remained an independent company and has not been bought out by another corporation. The company has also maintained its mission to keep human connection at the heart of commerce, allowing sellers to partner with manufacturers while still valuing unique and creative goods. In this article, we will explore the history of Etsy and take a closer look at who owns the company.
Etsy’s Corporate Structure
Parent Company
Etsy, Inc. is the parent company of Etsy, which was founded in 2005 by Robert Kalin, Haim Schoppik, and Chris Maguire. The company is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, and has a global presence as an e-commerce platform that specializes in handmade, vintage, and unique goods.
Subsidiaries
Etsy has several subsidiaries that operate under its corporate umbrella. One of its subsidiaries is Reverb, which is a marketplace for musical instruments and equipment. Reverb was acquired by Etsy in 2019 and operates as a separate entity.
Another subsidiary of Etsy is Depop, which is a fashion marketplace that focuses on vintage and secondhand clothing. Depop was acquired by Etsy in 2021 and operates as an independent company.
Etsy’s corporate structure allows it to expand its offerings and reach new audiences through strategic acquisitions and partnerships. The company’s focus on unique and handmade goods has helped it stand out in the crowded e-commerce space and maintain a loyal customer base.
Ownership Breakdown
Etsy, Inc. is a publicly traded company, which means its ownership is spread out among various shareholders. Here’s a breakdown of the company’s ownership structure:
Major Shareholders
As of September 30, 2023, the largest shareholder of Etsy is Bares Capital Management, Inc., which owns 1.5 million shares. The second-largest shareholder is Citadel Advisors LLC, which owns 1.4 million shares. The third-largest shareholder is Amundi Asset Management US, Inc., which owns 1.2 million shares.
Institutional Investors
Institutional investors own the majority of Etsy’s shares. As of September 30, 2023, institutional investors owned approximately 89% of the company’s outstanding shares. These investors include mutual funds, pension funds, and other large investment firms.
Retail Investors
Retail investors, which include individual investors and smaller investment firms, own the remaining 11% of Etsy’s outstanding shares. While retail investors don’t own as many shares as institutional investors, they still play an important role in the company’s ownership structure.
Overall, Etsy’s ownership structure is diverse, with a mix of institutional and retail investors holding shares in the company. This diversity helps ensure that no single shareholder has too much control over the company’s operations.
Leadership and Management
Board of Directors
Etsy’s Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the company’s management and ensuring that the long-term interests of the stockholders are advanced by responsibly addressing the concerns of Etsy’s global community. The board is comprised of experienced individuals who are passionate about Etsy’s mission and core values.
Fred Wilson is the current Chairman of the Board and has been serving in this role since June 2007. He is a co-founder of Union Square Ventures, a venture capital firm that has invested in a number of successful companies, including Etsy. Other members of Etsy’s Board of Directors include Edith Cooper, Melissa Reiff, and M. Michele Burns.
Executive Team
Etsy’s Executive Team is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company and is led by CEO, Josh Silverman. Under his leadership, Etsy has experienced significant growth and has expanded its reach to millions of buyers and sellers around the world.
Rachel Glaser serves as Etsy’s Chief Financial Officer and is responsible for managing the company’s finances and financial strategy. Raina Moskowitz is the Chief Operating Officer and is responsible for overseeing Etsy’s operations and driving growth. Other members of Etsy’s Executive Team include Kruti Patel Goyal, Ryan Scott, and Gail Delaney.
Overall, Etsy’s leadership and management team is comprised of experienced individuals who are passionate about the company’s mission and core values. They are committed to driving growth and ensuring that Etsy remains a successful and sustainable business for years to come.
Historical Ownership
Etsy was founded in 2005 by Robert Kalin, Haim Schoppik, and Chris Maguire. They launched the platform using their existing company, and the founders and developers completed the website in just two and a half months.
Founding and Early Investors
Initially, Etsy was funded by the founders themselves and a small group of friends and family. However, as the platform grew in popularity, the founders realized they needed additional funding to continue expanding. In 2006, Union Square Ventures and Hubert Burda Media became the first institutional investors in Etsy, providing $1.25 million in funding.
Over the years, Etsy has continued to attract investors, and in 2015, the company went public, offering 16.7 million shares at $16 per share. The IPO raised $267 million, and the company’s market capitalization was valued at $1.8 billion.
Changes Over Time
Since going public, Etsy has continued to see changes in its ownership structure. As of 2021, institutional investors hold a majority ownership of Etsy through the 92.70% of the outstanding shares that they control.
Some of the largest institutional investors in Etsy include The Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and T. Rowe Price. Additionally, members of Etsy’s management team, including CEO Josh Silverman, also hold significant ownership stakes in the company.
Overall, Etsy’s ownership structure has evolved over the years as the platform has grown and expanded. While the company’s founders and early investors played a crucial role in getting the platform off the ground, institutional investors have become increasingly important in recent years as the company has gone public and continued to scale.
Public vs Private Ownership
Stock Market Listing
Etsy is a publicly traded company, which means that its shares are available for purchase on the stock market. This allows anyone to become a part-owner of the company by purchasing shares of its stock. As of December 2023, the largest shareholder of Etsy is The Vanguard Group, Inc., which owns 11% of the company’s outstanding shares.
Being a publicly traded company also means that Etsy is subject to the whims of the stock market. The value of its shares can fluctuate wildly based on factors such as investor sentiment and overall economic conditions. This can be both a blessing and a curse for the company, as it can provide access to capital for growth but also lead to pressure to meet short-term financial targets.
Private Equity Influence
Etsy has also received investment from private equity firms throughout its history. In 2014, the company received a $50 million investment from venture capital firm Accel Partners. This allowed the company to expand its operations and invest in new technology.
However, private equity investment can also come with downsides. Private equity firms are often focused on maximizing short-term profits, which can lead to decisions that are not in the long-term interest of the company or its employees. Additionally, private equity firms may have different priorities than the company’s founders or other stakeholders, which can lead to conflicts of interest.
Overall, Etsy’s mix of public and private ownership has allowed it to grow and thrive over the years. However, it is important for the company to balance short-term financial goals with long-term strategic planning in order to ensure its continued success.
Financial Performance
Etsy is a publicly traded company, and its financial performance is closely monitored by investors and analysts. The company’s revenue streams are primarily derived from two sources: Marketplace revenue and Services revenue.
Revenue Streams
Marketplace revenue represents the fees that Etsy charges sellers for listing and selling their products on the platform. Services revenue includes fees for additional services that Etsy provides to sellers, such as advertising and payment processing.
In the fourth quarter of 2020, Etsy’s total revenue was $617.4 million, up 128.7% year-over-year. Consolidated take rate (i.e., revenue divided by GMS) was 17.1%, up 80 basis points year-over-year, driven by Etsy’s ability to attract more buyers and sellers to the platform.
Market Capitalization
Etsy’s market capitalization is the total value of all outstanding shares of the company’s stock. As of December 9, 2023, Etsy’s market capitalization was $45.6 billion. This represents a significant increase from the company’s initial public offering (IPO) in 2015, when its market capitalization was just $1.8 billion.
Etsy’s strong financial performance has attracted the attention of investors, and the company’s stock has performed well in recent years. However, like all publicly traded companies, Etsy’s stock price can be affected by a variety of factors, including changes in market conditions, competition, and regulatory changes.
Regulatory and Legal Considerations
Securities and Exchange Commission Filings
As a publicly traded company, Etsy is required to file periodic reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These reports include annual reports (Form 10-K), quarterly reports (Form 10-Q), and current reports (Form 8-K). These filings provide information about the company’s financial performance, business operations, and other material events that may affect the company’s stock price.
Etsy’s SEC filings can be accessed through the SEC’s EDGAR database. Investors and other stakeholders can use these filings to make informed decisions about buying or selling Etsy’s stock.
Ownership Regulations
Etsy’s ownership structure is subject to various regulations and laws, including securities laws, tax laws, and corporate governance rules. For example, Etsy is required to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, which regulates the sale of securities to the public.
In addition, Etsy is subject to the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), where its shares are listed. These rules include requirements for corporate governance, such as the composition of the board of directors and the establishment of committees to oversee various aspects of the company’s operations.
Etsy’s ownership structure is also subject to state and federal tax laws, which govern how the company must report its income, pay taxes, and comply with other tax-related requirements.
Overall, these regulations and laws help ensure that Etsy operates in a transparent and accountable manner, and that its ownership structure is fair and equitable for all stakeholders.