Hest Raises $2.7M to Revolutionize Outdoor Sleep Comfort
In a significant milestone for the outdoor recreation industry, Seattle-based Hest has secured $2.7 million in Series A funding to expand its innovative line of sleeping gear designed for outdoor enthusiasts. Founded in 2019 by Aaron Ambuske, a veteran with 18 years of experience at K2 Sports, Hest has been steadily transforming the camping experience with premium mattresses, pillows, and bedding specifically engineered for car and tent campers. The recent funding round, supported by existing investors including Ascend, Cascade Seed Fund, Alliance of Angels, and several Seattle-area angel investors, marks a pivotal moment for the company as it plans to open the round to new investors with a final close expected later this year. This investment comes at a time when Hest is experiencing remarkable growth, with sales increasing by 50% this year and the company anticipating its first operating profit—a testament to the market’s enthusiastic response to its vision of bringing home-like comfort to outdoor adventures.
The company’s impressive growth trajectory can be largely attributed to its strategic expansion of product offerings and strengthened retail partnerships. Most notably, Hest has secured a presence in all REI stores nationwide, significantly extending its reach to outdoor enthusiasts across the country. Additionally, the company has established a valuable partnership with electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian, aligning with the growing trend of electric vehicle owners embracing outdoor lifestyles. This connection between sustainable transportation and comfortable outdoor experiences represents a forward-thinking approach to the evolving outdoor recreation market. Based in Seattle’s vibrant Georgetown neighborhood, Hest recently opened its first showroom this summer, creating a physical space where customers can experience their products firsthand before taking them into the wilderness. With a team of ten employees, the company maintains the agility of a startup while delivering the quality and innovation of a much larger enterprise.
Looking ahead, Hest has ambitious plans for utilizing the new funding to fuel further growth and innovation. Ambuske has revealed that the company will launch an entirely new product category in 2026, though specific details remain under wraps. The partnership with Rivian is set to expand, potentially introducing Hest’s comfort solutions to a broader audience of electric vehicle owners who embrace outdoor adventures. Additionally, the company is investing in new sales channels to diversify its market presence and reach customers through various touchpoints. Hest has already taken its first steps toward international expansion with a recent launch in Japan, signaling the global appeal of its products. Ambuske indicated that the company will continue to explore international opportunities when they align with Hest’s strategic vision, suggesting a thoughtful approach to global growth rather than rapid expansion for its own sake.
Navigating the current economic and political landscape has presented challenges for Hest, as it has for many American businesses with international supply chains. Ambuske acknowledged that tariffs imposed by the Trump administration “have been a lot to navigate,” reflecting the complex reality of global manufacturing and trade policies that impact startups and established companies alike. However, Hest has positioned itself advantageously in this environment, with over half of its cost of goods and final assembly occurring within the United States. This strategic decision has partially shielded the company from the full impact of international trade turbulence, allowing it to maintain more stable pricing and supply chains compared to competitors more heavily dependent on overseas manufacturing. This approach not only provides some insulation from international trade policies but also appeals to consumers who value products with significant American manufacturing components.
The story of Hest begins with Ambuske’s personal frustration with uncomfortable sleeping options available to outdoor enthusiasts. Drawing on his extensive experience in the outdoor sports industry from his time at K2 Sports, he recognized a significant gap in the market: while camping equipment had seen innovations in many areas, sleeping comfort remained largely overlooked. This insight led him to found Hest in 2019 with a clear mission to elevate the outdoor sleeping experience to match the comfort people enjoy at home. The company’s name itself—short, memorable, and distinctive—reflects its focused approach to solving this specific pain point for outdoor enthusiasts. By concentrating exclusively on sleep comfort for campers, Hest has been able to design products that truly address the unique challenges of sleeping outdoors, from temperature regulation to support on uneven surfaces.
Hest’s success story illustrates the power of identifying and solving a specific problem in a targeted market segment. Rather than competing broadly across the camping equipment space, the company has carved out a specialized niche focused exclusively on sleep comfort. This approach has resonated with consumers who are increasingly unwilling to sacrifice comfort for their outdoor adventures. As outdoor recreation continues to grow in popularity—a trend accelerated by the pandemic’s emphasis on socially distanced activities—Hest is well-positioned to benefit from and contribute to this evolution of camping culture. The company’s Georgetown showroom, new product category plans, expanded retail presence, and strategic partnerships all point to a future where Hest could become synonymous with comfortable outdoor sleep. For outdoor enthusiasts who have long endured restless nights as the price of wilderness experiences, Hest’s innovations represent a welcome revolution in how we experience the outdoors—one comfortable night’s sleep at a time.
