CLAW Corp.

What CLAW Corp. does

CLAW Corp. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2002 in Cleveland, Ohio, that produces an annual multi-day leather and kink conference for the gay men's leather/BDSM community (approximately 97% of attendees are men). The organization's flagship offering is the CLAW Annual Leather Weekend, a four-day event combining 129 educational Skills & Education sessions, two designated BDSM play spaces (Hercules and Dionysus dungeons), a 16,000 sq ft VendorMart marketplace hosting 50+ vendors across 118 booths, themed dinners, speed dating, and the signature Kinky Kabaret closing show. CLAW 26 is scheduled for April 2-5, 2026 at the Hyatt Regency Columbus following an 18-month venue search after Cleveland hotels declined contracts, marking the first event held outside Cleveland in the organization's 24-year history.

The organization operates an event-driven, community-powered model with only 5 paid employees supported by 1,000+ volunteers. Revenue is generated through a diversified mix: attendee registration packages (~$299 onsite weekend pass, $150/$80 day passes, VIP packages), a five-tier sponsorship ladder (Master $7,500, Sustaining $2,400 annual, Black $2,000, Gold $800, Blue $400), VendorMart booth fees, add-on services (dinners, locker rentals, speed dating), and tax-deductible donations channeled through the Leather Heart Package and Volunteer Bridge assistance programs. All net proceeds are distributed to leather and LGBTQ+ community charities — over $1 million raised for nearly 200 organizations across the flagship event and the CLAW Nation affiliate party network (260 parties in 72 cities supporting 165 charities).

The technology stack supporting operations is intentionally lightweight: a Joomla-based registration and content website (clawinfo.org), MailChimp email newsletters, a Yapp mobile app for event scheduling, and a Telegram community group chat. CLAW holds PCI-DSS-compliant payment processing via its merchant provider and publishes a GDPR-aligned privacy notice. The organization is governed by a 13-member Board of Directors led by co-founder Bob Miller (President) and Executive Director Noel Leboeuf, with co-founder Dennis McMahon serving as a lifetime board member. CLAW won the 2003 Pantheon of Leather Award for Small Event of the Year and self-describes as one of the largest leather and kink nonprofits globally.

Name

CLAW Corp.

Legal name

CLAW Corp.

Website

https://clawinfo.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CLAW Corp. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2002 that produces one of the world's largest annual leather and kink conferences for the gay men's BDSM community, combining education, vendor marketplace, and play spaces, funded by registrations, sponsorships, and donations distributed to community charities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Cleveland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Event Registration Packages: Weekend attendee packages ($299 onsite), VIP packages, day passes ($150 Fri/Sat, $80 Sunday), and volunteer registrations
2. Sponsorships: Master Sponsorship ($7,500), Sustaining Sponsorship ($2,400/year), Black Tier ($2,000), Gold Tier ($800), Blue Tier ($400) - year-round advertising and event branding benefits
3. VendorMart Fees: Vendor booth rental fees at 16,000 sq ft Regency Ballroom with 118 booth spaces; vendors include leather gear, kink accessories, apparel, and community organizations
4. Add-on Services: Meal packages (Staff Dinner $85, Welcome Dinner $105, BLUF Dinner $120, International Leather Family Dinner $120, Drag Brunch $70, Kinky Kabaret Cocktails $55), locker rentals ($50), speed dating sessions
5. Donations: Tax-deductible donations supporting Leather Heart Package ($250), Volunteer Bridge ($500), and general CLAW charity funds

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CLAW Corp. produces the annual CLAW Leather Weekend, a four-day immersive leather and kink conference held in Ohio for gay men and the broader leather/kink community. The event combines educational workshops (129 Skills & Education sessions), BDSM play spaces (Hercules and Dionysus dungeons), social events, themed dinners, vendor marketplace (VendorMart with 50+ vendors), and community programming. The organization operates as a 501c3 nonprofit, channeling all profits to leather and LGBTQ+ community charities.

Product overview

CLAW Corp. is a 501c3 non-profit leather and kink organization operating as an event-based community rather than a technology company. The organization's primary offering is the annual CLAW Leather Weekend conference, supplemented by the VendorMart marketplace, Skills & Education program, volunteer management, and various themed events (Kinky Kabaret, Speed Dating, BDSM play spaces). The portfolio includes sponsorship packages, community assistance programs (Leather Heart Package, Volunteer Bridge), and the CLAW Nation affiliate party program. All offerings are service-oriented community events; there are no software products, applications, or developer tools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CLAW Nation: Allows people organizing fundraising events to pick their own charities, with CLAW providing umbrella organization including insurance coverage and 501c3 tax exempt status. Has facilitated 260 parties in 72 different cities raising $290,000 for 165 different charities.

Products and services

• CLAW Annual Leather Weekend Flagship annual four-day leather and kink conference held in Ohio (CLAW 26 scheduled for April 2-5, 2026 at Hyatt Regency Columbus) featuring educational workshops, BDSM play spaces, social events, vendor marketplace, and community programming for adults interested in leather culture.
• Skills & Education Program Comprehensive curriculum of leather, kink, and BDSM educational sessions delivered at the annual conference, with 129 sessions in 2019 across multiple topic areas, including CARAS research presentations.
• VendorMart Annual vendor marketplace featuring 50+ vendors selling leather goods, fetish wear, kink accessories, skincare products, and artisan crafts within a 16,000 square foot Regency Ballroom with 118 booth spaces.
• CLAW 26 Registration Packages Event attendance packages including Standard Attendee ($299 onsite) and VIP tiers with perks such as reserved seating, early venue access, locker rentals, catered meals, spa access, and VIP lounge privileges; plus day passes ($150 Fri/Sat, $80 Sunday) and VendorMart-only passes ($30).
• Event Sponsorship Packages Tiered sponsorship opportunities including Master ($7,500/year), Sustaining ($2,400/year), Black ($2,000 per event), Gold ($800 per event), and Blue ($400 per event) tiers, offering year-round advertising, logo placement, e-blasts, complimentary vendor booths, and VIP access to leather/kink industry businesses.
• BDSM Play Spaces Designated indoor and outdoor BDSM play spaces including the All Gender Dionysus Dungeon and the Hercules Dungeon, staffed by Dungeon Masters for safety monitoring and consent enforcement.
• Speed Dating Sessions Kink-focused speed dating meetups organized by categories including BDSM, rope bondage, rubber, impact play, pets/handlers, smokers, uniforms, and chastity.
• Kinky Kabaret CLAW's signature closing entertainment show featuring performances, skits, and community talent, held on the final evening of the annual event, with cocktail add-on ($55).
• CLAW Body Spa Wellness space offering massage and therapeutic services provided by recruited registered massage therapists (RMTs) during CLAW events.
• CLAW Store On-site retail operation featuring curated artwork and CLAW-branded merchandise.
• CLAW Nation Affiliate Program Affiliate fundraising party program allowing organizers to host their own CLAW-branded events nationwide, with CLAW providing publicity, sponsorship items, insurance coverage, and 501c3 tax-exempt status. Has facilitated 260 parties in 72 cities raising $290,000 for 165 charities.
• Hyatt Regency Columbus Host Hotel Block Group room block at CLAW's host hotel with 633 rooms and 70,000 sq ft of meeting space. Standard Room $199/night, Deluxe King $249/night, One-Bedroom Suite $299/night; two-night minimum including Friday and Saturday required.

Quantifiable outcome

• $1,000,000+ raised for charity across nearly 200 community organizations
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• RECONflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2002RECON is a Master Sponsor and Legacy Master Sponsor of CLAW. RECON is a major gay male erotic lifestyle retailer that cross-promotes CLAW events to its customer base. Their logo appears prominently on CLAW's homepage and marketing materials.
• Ben Orson LeatherflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerBen Orson Leather is a Master Sponsor and VendorMart sponsor for CLAW 26. They are a premium leather harness and accessory manufacturer. Their logo appears on CLAW's homepage.
• Central Outreach Wellness CentercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCentral Outreach Wellness Center (COWC) is a Master Sponsor providing health and wellness services. They serve LGBTQ+ communities with culturally competent care.
• Torso Leather and FetishcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTorso Leather and Fetish is a Master Sponsor and Columbus-based retailer. They sponsor CLAW and their store is promoted through CLAW marketing channels.
• Pig SolventscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPig Solvents is a Master Sponsor known for their specialty cleaning products for leather and rubber. Their logo appears on CLAW's homepage.
• Touche ChicagominorGTM or Marketing PartnerTouche is a Sustaining Sponsor and Chicago's Leather Bar Since 1977. They cross-promote CLAW events to their bar community and sponsor banner ads on CLAW website.
• Leather Archives and MuseumflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeather Archives & Museum is a key beneficiary receiving $23,000 from CLAW 19. They compile, preserve and digitize leather community history. CLAW supports their general operating expenses, free museum Thursdays, and Leather Preservation Project.
• Leather Heart FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeather Heart Foundation received $9,250 from CLAW 19. They provide emergency financial assistance to leather community members across the country. CLAW's Leather Heart Package sponsorship is named in homage to this organization.
• CARAS (Community-Academic Consortium for Research on Alternative Sexualities)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCARAS received $3,000 from CLAW 19. They are dedicated to the study of alternative sexualities and dissemination of research results. CARAS partners with CLAW on the Skills & Education curriculum with research presentations.
• Hyatt Regency ColumbuscoreOthersCLAW 26 host hotel with 633 rooms and 70,000 sq ft of meeting space. Room rates start at $199/night. Hyatt team has experience supporting LGBTQ+ events including Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend.
• CLAW NationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCLAW Nation is an affiliate program allowing individuals to organize their own fundraising events using CLAW's umbrella organization, insurance coverage, and 501c3 status. Has raised $290,000 across 260 parties in 72 cities supporting 165 different charities.
• LeatherDaddy Skin CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSustaining Sponsor offering plant-based skincare products. Their logo appears on CLAW homepage and they sponsor CLAW banner ads.
• B&Gs Cigar LoungeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSustaining Sponsor and cigar lounge. Cross-promotes CLAW events to their customer base.
• Eagle LAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSustaining Sponsor and Los Angeles leather bar. Cross-promotes CLAW to their community.
• DarklandsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSustaining Sponsor from Belgium (darklands.be). International leather/kink event and organization.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Northwest Leather Celebration: Northwest Leather Celebration is a regional leather weekend event serving the Pacific Northwest leather community. It is comparable as a leather/kink community event with education, vendors, and contests, but operates in a different geography than CLAW.
• Los Angeles Leather Coalition: LA Leather Coalition is a current CLAW Sustaining Sponsor and a Southern California leather community organization hosting leather events and programming. It is comparable as a regional leather community organization with overlapping audience but primarily serves the LA market.
• Southeast Leather Retreat: Southeast Leather Retreat is a regional leather community event serving the Southeast US. It is comparable to CLAW as a multi-day leather weekend with education and community programming but operates in a different US region.

Direct peers

• Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend: Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend is one of the largest US leather events for gay men on the East Coast, directly comparable to CLAW as a multi-day leather weekend featuring contests, education, vendors, dungeons, and social events. Both serve the same primary demographic with similar programming.
• International Mr. Leather (IML): IML is the premier international leather title contest and weekend event, directly comparable to CLAW as a major annual leather/kink community gathering with contest, education, vendors, and BDSM play space components. Both target the same gay male leather community and operate as flagship multi-day events.
• Folsom Street Fair: Folsom Street Fair is one of the largest leather/fetish community events in the world, comparable to CLAW as a flagship annual gathering for the leather/kink community with vendor marketplace, play spaces, and significant charitable fundraising elements.
• Mr. Michigan Leather Weekend: Mr. Michigan Leather Weekend is a current CLAW sponsor and operates a comparable Midwest leather contest weekend. It is a smaller direct peer in the same event category serving the same primary demographic.
• Darklands: Darklands is a major international leather/fetish event held in Belgium and is a current CLAW Sustaining Sponsor. It is directly comparable as a multi-day leather/kink event with education, vendors, and play spaces, and represents the international peer in the same event category.

Others

• Pantheon of Leather: Pantheon of Leather is the industry awards body that recognized CLAW 1 in 2003 and runs the Leather Hall of Fame. It is a peer/ecosystem participant in the leather community recognition space and shares the same community.
• Leather Archives & Museum: Leather Archives & Museum is a flagship CLAW 19 beneficiary and a leading leather community cultural institution. While not a direct event competitor, it is deeply embedded in the same leather community ecosystem and serves overlapping audience.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/claw-corp

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CLAW Corp.