Online Retail Startup Raises $23M

RAPAPORT... Mejuri, a luxury-jewelry brand that sells directly to consumers online, has raised $23 million from investors as it looks to expand its operations.The Canada-based company will use the funds to open more physical stores, develop the business internationally, and invest in branding and customer experience, it said. The startup operates primarily as ane-commerce site, but also has two brick-and-mortar stores in New York and Toronto. It received the funding from investors including NewEnterprise Associates, BDC Capital, and Imaginary, a venturefund owned by Net-a-Porter founder Natalie Massenet.Founder Noura Sakkijha, a third-generation jeweler, launchedMejuri in 2015 as an alternative to traditional fine-jewelry stores, whichgenerally target men as gift-givers. The platform is targeted at female self-purchasers, its website notes. Mejuri employs a total of 120 workers. Women account for 80% of its team, it added.The company has raised more than $29 million from investorsto date, including the latest funding round. Image: A white-gold and diamond ring. (Mejuri)