Portland Business Journal | Portland-area helmet manufacturer closes on $2.5M funding round to fuel growth

November 22, 2023

Studson, Inc., a Tigard-based maker of safety helmets, closed on a
$2.48 million funding round, which included a major European
workwear brand among the investors, Studson President Ryan
Barnes said Tuesday.

Barnes said he plans to use the proceeds primarily to stock up
Studson’s warehouse, especially after introducing a full-brim
helmet, in addition to its climbing-style headwear.
“In the world we’re living in as a new and disruptive brand, we need
a large amount of inventory on hand,” Barnes said. “With the launch
of the full brim, we wanted to be bullish on making sure it was
available.”

He founded Studson in 2021 and soon was selling helmets to 14 of
the top 20 general contractors in the U.S. The company is days
away from breaking the 100,000 mark for helmets sold, a number
Barnes expects to duplicate in 2024 as well. Studon helmets
employ technology that keeps workers’ heads cool and dry and that
absorbs impacts more effectively than traditional hard hats, Barnes
has said.

The company recently moved from Lake Oswego to Tigard, where it
was able to quadruple its warehouse and office space. It has 10
employees.

The funding round generated a lot of interest, particularly from
Studson’s original investors, who contributed about $1 million,
Barnes said. He declined to name the European investor, who
contributed $1.4 million of the raise, but said he would share that
news soon. That company makes complementary gear to helmets
and distributes in 30 countries, he said.
“We’re excited about the future potential of helping us grow
internationally,” Barnes said.