Grant LaFontaine
Grant LaFontaine is the Co-founder and CEO of Whatnot, a livestream shopping platform he launched in 2019. Under his leadership, Whatnot has achieved a valuation of nearly $5 billion, rapidly growing into a major player in the e-commerce landscape. He has overseen the company's expansion into new product categories and international markets, demonstrating a strong focus on community-driven live commerce. Grant LaFontaine co-founded Whatnot in 2019, leading it to become a premier livestream shopping platform with a valuation of nearly $5 billion. He successfully guided Whatnot through multiple funding rounds and rapid user growth, revolutionizing the market for collectibles and live e-commerce. Before Whatnot, LaFontaine co-founded The Zebra in 2012, an online car insurance comparison marketplace, playing a pivotal role in its significant growth as COO. He also held product management roles at Facebook (2018-2019) and product marketing at Google (2011-2016), contributing to YouTube's marketing strategies. LaFontaine is a two-time Y Combinator alumnus, demonstrating a consistent ability to develop compelling startup concepts. His career milestones reflect a dedication to building engaging, community-driven platforms, aligning with Whatnot's mission to empower individuals to monetize their passions.
About Whatnot
Whatnot, founded in 2019, is an e-commerce and livestream shopping platform. It helps collectors and enthusiasts buy and sell items like trading cards, comics, and fashion through live auctions and fixed-price listings. Core features include live selling, community engagement, and promotional tools. Benefits include interactive shopping and building seller audiences.