Carpe
Carpe is a digitally-native OTC antiperspirant brand selling dermatologist-tested sweat and odor control products across 15+ body areas via DTC, Amazon, and Target, with a subscription model and clinical-grade formulations for hyperhidrosis sufferers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersDurham, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Carpe does
Carpe is a privately held, digitally-native OTC antiperspirant brand headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, founded in 2015 by Duke and UNC alumni Kasper Kubica and David Spratte. Originally developed as a dorm-room solution for sweaty hands, the company has expanded into a full-body sweat management portfolio covering underarms, hands, feet, face, scalp, groin, and breast areas, plus adjacent cosmetics (face primer with SPF, setting mist, setting powder) and new skincare/suncare extensions. Its core technology centers on proprietary aluminum-based antiperspirant formulas, including a clinical-grade regimen using Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex GLY at 20% (cited as 34% more effective than aluminum chloride in dermatology studies) and a flagship claim of 100-hour sweat and odor protection, with dermatologist oversight from Chief Medical Advisor Ashish Bhatia, MD.
The company sells directly to consumers through its Shopify website (mycarpe.com) with a subscription model offering 28-84 day renewal intervals and up to 40% off first orders, alongside Amazon (30% YoY growth) and a nationwide Target retail rollout launched in April 2026 with planned Walmart expansion. Pricing spans $14.99-$19.95 for underarm products to $47.95 for the premium face primer. Carpe has reportedly sold over 10 million antiperspirant sticks and accumulated over 40,000 five-star reviews. In August 2024 the company received a private equity investment from Topspin Consumer Partners to fund retail and international expansion; founders retained leadership. Cumulative disclosed funding prior to the Topspin round totals approximately $2.3M from Carolina Angel Network, Duke Angel Network, LaunchCapital, Rubicon Venture Capital, and Triangle Angel Partners (2018), with additional undisclosed participation from IrishAngels (2019).
Carpe firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Carpe
- Legal name
- Carpe
- Website
- https://mycarpe.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Carpe is a digitally-native OTC antiperspirant brand selling dermatologist-tested sweat and odor control products across 15+ body areas via DTC, Amazon, and Target, with a subscription model and clinical-grade formulations for hyperhidrosis sufferers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Carpe industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Antiperspirant & Sweat-Control Personal Care
- NAICS
- Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing (32561), Health and Personal Care Retailers (4561), Cosmetics, Beauty Supplies, and Perfume Retailers (456120)
- SIC
- Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844), Soap, Detergents, Cleang Preparations, Perfumes, Cosmetics (2840)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Deodorants & Antiperspirants (CRADANAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Deodorants & Antiperspirants (CRABADAB), Feminine Hygiene & Intimate Care (Wash, Wipes, Deodorants) (CRADANAG), Foot Care (Deodorizing, Anti-chafe, Callus Care) (CRADANAK), Hand & Body Care (Lotions, Creams, Body Oils) (CRADANAC)
Keywords
Where Carpe is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Durham
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Carpe business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Direct-to-Consumer E-commerce: Carpe sells its full range of antiperspirant and deodorant products directly through its website (mycarpe.com) and via online marketplaces including Amazon. The company operates a subscription/recurring model with a subscription portal enabling customers to manage delivery schedules and intervals (28-84 days).
- Retail Distribution: Carpe generates revenue through physical retail distribution via Target (nationwide rollout), with expansion plans to Walmart and other retail channels. This represents a traditional wholesale/retail revenue stream alongside the direct-to-consumer online business.
- Amazon Marketplace Sales: Carpe achieves 30% year-over-year growth on Amazon with tens of thousands of monthly purchases, indicating significant marketplace commission-based and direct marketplace revenue.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Underarm Antiperspirant Stick at $14.99-$19.95 |
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Face Primer with SPF at $47.95 |
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Feminine Care Deodorant at $19.95 |
| Subscription | Monthly | Subscription Model with up to 40% first-order savings |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Carpe product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Carpe manufactures and sells over-the-counter dermatologist-tested antiperspirant lotions, sticks, powders, wipes, and related personal care products designed to control sweat and odor across the underarms, hands, feet, face, scalp, groin, and breast areas. The product line spans consumer-grade antiperspirants, clinical-grade regimens for heavy sweaters, feminine care deodorants, and sweat-resistant cosmetics, marketed under the "100-hour sweat protection" claim and sold direct-to-consumer via mycarpe.com and through Amazon and Target retail channels.
Product overview
Carpe is a digitally-native sweat control brand offering a comprehensive portfolio of dermatologist-tested antiperspirant and personal care products for full-body sweat management. The company sells directly to consumers via its website and e-commerce platforms, having expanded from its original hand lotion product (created in a dorm room for sweaty hands) to a full range of body sweat solutions. The product line includes core antiperspirant products (Underarm Stick, Face Primer w/ SPF, Hand Lotion, Foot Lotion), clinical-grade regimens for heavy sweaters (Clinical Grade Underarm Regimen), feminine care products (Feminine Care Deodorant), body-area specific solutions (Women's and Men's Groin Powder, Breast Products, Scalp Regimen), and cosmetics/makeup setting products (All-Day Matte Collection, Setting Mist, Setting Powder). Newer launches include Underarm+ Skincare and Sweat-Resistant Sunscreen. Products are sold individually, in bundles, or through subscription programs, with the company's signature claim being 100-hour sweat and odor protection.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Underarm Stick Primary antiperspirant stick for underarm sweat control priced at $14.99–$19.95, with multiple scent options including Fresh Powder, Soft Cashmere, and Birchwood & Lavender, claiming 100-hour sweat and odor protection.
- Clinical Grade Underarm Regimen Comprehensive clinical-strength regimen for heavy sweaters, combining Clinical Grade Underarm Antiperspirant (Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex GLY 20%), Clinical Grade Exfoliating Wash, and Clinical Grade Underarm PM Wipes, designed for severe hyperhidrosis cases.
- Face Primer with SPF 30 Sweat-absorbing face primer with SPF 30 protection priced at $47.95, designed for people who experience facial sweating, providing a matte finish that resists makeup breakdown from perspiration.
- Feminine Care Deodorant Deodorant specifically formulated for feminine care areas, priced at $19.95, addressing sweat and odor in sensitive areas for women.
- Hand Lotion Antiperspirant lotion for sweaty hands — the original product that started the company from a dorm-room solution.
- Foot Lotion Antiperspirant lotion for sweaty feet, providing all-day dryness for plantar hyperhidrosis.
- Women's Groin Powder Powder for excessive groin sweating designed for women, helping prevent chafing and moisture in sensitive areas.
- Men's Groin Powder Powder for excessive groin sweating designed for men, helping prevent chafing and discomfort.
- Scalp Regimen Multi-product regimen for scalp sweating, including Scalp Serum, Scalp Powder, and complementary treatment products.
- Breast Products Products for sweat management in the breast area, helping prevent irritation and discomfort.
- Face Lotion Face lotion for controlling facial oil and sweat, designed to be applied over makeup.
- Underarm+ Skincare New underarm product combining antiperspirant with skincare benefits.
- Sweat-Resistant Sunscreen Sunscreen designed to resist sweat and provide sun protection for active lifestyles.
Quantifiable outcome
- 10 million+ antiperspirant sticks sold
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Carpe
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Carpe technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
Feature5 records
Carpe partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- TargetcoreCarpe launched a nationwide rollout at Target in April 2026 with multiple new scents (Soft Cashmere, Birchwood & Lavender) priced at $14.99 for antiperspirant deodorants. The partnership represents Carpe's major entry into physical retail, where 80% of antiperspirant purchases occur, leveraging the brand's strong online momentum including tens of thousands of monthly purchases on Target's website.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Carpe competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Lume Deodorant: DTC whole-body deodorant brand built around odor control across multiple body areas, founded by an OB/GYN. Closest direct peer to Carpe given comparable whole-body positioning, female founder-led origin, and subscription-driven DTC model.
- Native: DTC-born natural deodorant brand acquired by P&G in 2017, now distributed across mass retail. Most analogous competitor in terms of digital-native origin, consumer-brand positioning, and progression from online to Target/Walmart shelves.
- Certain Dri: Clinical-strength antiperspirant brand using aluminum chloride for heavy sweating. Direct competitor in the hyperhidrosis / clinical-strength segment where Carpe's clinical-grade regimen competes head-to-head.
- Schmidt's Naturals: Natural deodorant brand (acquired by Unilever) known for plant-based formulations. Comparable as a digitally-native deodorant brand that scaled through retail, though differentiated by natural positioning versus Carpe's clinical/aluminum approach.
Emerging players
- Duradry: DTC hyperhidrosis treatment brand offering multi-step clinical regimens. An emerging competitor in the same niche clinical segment, with comparable specialty-positioning and subscription model.
- ZeroSweat: DTC clinical antiperspirant brand targeting hyperhidrosis sufferers. Emerging niche competitor in the same specialty clinical strength segment, with comparable subscription/DTC motion.
Broad incumbents
- Dove (Unilever): Mass-market personal care brand and category leader in deodorants and antiperspirants. Represents the dominant incumbent Carpe must displace for mass shelf share at Target and Walmart.
- Secret (Procter & Gamble): P&G's flagship women's deodorant brand with a clinical-strength line. Direct incumbent competitor in both mass and clinical-strength deodorant segments where Carpe competes.
- Old Spice (Procter & Gamble): Iconic men's deodorant brand from P&G with clinical variants. Represents the dominant incumbent in men's sweat protection that Carpe competes against for shelf placement and consumer share.
- Degree (Unilever): Unilever's performance-oriented deodorant brand with clinical-strength offerings targeting active consumers. Broad incumbent competitor in the clinical/efficacy segment where Carpe's 100-hour claim competes.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Carpe social profiles
Digital presenceCarpe compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Carpe financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Carpe leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Carpe funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors8 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Carpe M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Carpe
What does Carpe do?
Carpe manufactures and sells over-the-counter dermatologist-tested antiperspirant lotions, sticks, powders, wipes, and related personal care products designed to control sweat and odor across the underarms, hands, feet, face, scalp, groin, and breast areas. The product line spans consumer-grade antiperspirants, clinical-grade regimens for heavy sweaters, feminine care deodorants, and sweat-resistant cosmetics, marketed under the "100-hour sweat protection" claim and sold direct-to-consumer via mycarpe.com and through Amazon and Target retail channels.
Is Carpe a public or private company?
Carpe is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was Carpe founded?
Carpe was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Carpe based?
Carpe is headquartered in Durham, United States, in the North America region.
How does Carpe make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Direct-to-Consumer E-commerce is the primary driver. The others are retail Distribution and amazon Marketplace Sales.
Who are Carpe's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Lume Deodorant, Native, Certain Dri and Schmidt's Naturals. Emerging players are Duradry and ZeroSweat. Broad incumbents are Dove (Unilever), Secret (Procter & Gamble), Old Spice (Procter & Gamble) and Degree (Unilever).
Does Carpe have an API?
No public API is recorded for Carpe.
What industry is Carpe in?
Carpe's product category is Antiperspirant & Sweat-Control Personal Care. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRADANAA, Deodorants & Antiperspirants, with a secondary code of CRABADAB, Deodorants & Antiperspirants. Its NAICS code is 32561 and its SIC code is 2844.