Virch Merch

Every fan deserves to be part of the live event experience — not an afterthought. At Virch Merch we’re committed to breaking down barriers and making fan experiences more inclusive. Our platform empowers artists to ensure that every fan, regardless of location, mobility, or sensory needs, can easily access and purchase exclusive merchandise from their favorite artists. We go beyond the traditional merch table. With innovative logistics, a robust online inventory, and enhanced digital accessibility features, our goal is to make it easier for all fans to access, purchase, and enjoy merchandise. Virch Merch provides seamless same-day and sub-same-day shipping options in select regions across the United States, ensuring that fans get their merchandise quickly and efficiently. Gone are the days of waiting in long lines or carrying purchases throughout the event. We're creating an environment where performance-exclusive products are accessible both online and at live shows, eliminating the physical and logistical barriers many fans face. By partnering with artists and leveraging cutting-edge technology, Virch Merch is transforming the fan-artist connection, ensuring merchandise inclusivity for all. Because every fan deserves to be part of the experience.

A little over a year ago, I decided to leave the comfort of my job at Amazon to combine my sub same day experience with my pre-covid career in the music industry. I created Virch Merch and my life changed completely. It was scary to leave my job and jump into the unknown, let alone the unknown of startups (something I knew very little about). Since then, I convinced Emily Harris to join along for the ride as our CTO and my co-founder, we worked with several small bands for proof of concept, have onboarded an outstanding team of employees and advisors, completed two pre-accelerators, were accepted into the TxO program through a16z with a check included, and now opening our first fulfillment center in Denver, CO! We are ready and eager to continue enhancing the fan merch buying experience. We're changing the logistics model in a world where convenience is expected not a "nice to have". Please follow along on our journey, and if you or a friend are going out on tour in the near future, please consider giving the future of merch buying a try. No more lines, no more holding, way more fun! #nomorelines #a16z #musictech #founderintro #virchmerch #logistics #musicmerch #musicindustry #tech #entrepreneur #lgbtqfounders

I am thrilled to announce that Virch Merch has been selected by one of the world's most prestigious investor groups, a16z Talent x Opportunity! The disruption of the entertainment merchandise industry is long overdue, and the potential rewards have drawn the attention of top-tier investors. If you're interested in building successful programs for artists, athletes, teams, leagues, labels, and studios, reach out to us. We're ready to make a difference together! Mel David Rachel Lowen Kyla Lombardo Eric Chappell Julian Warshaw Alex Pall Dean Wilson Gabriel Bloch Troy Carter Jr Alex Phelan Kim Hoang Chris Moraites Phil Ranta Jessica Brandt (Irwin) Ritesh Patel Mike Killeen Rob Yowell #a16z #entertainment #merchandise #licensing #fulfillment #ecommerce #liveentertainment

A few weeks ago, we kicked off a16z Talent x Opportunity Fall 2024 cohort with 5 promising companies building at the intersection of culture & lifestyle. Discover why we’re excited about these cultural breakthroughs: The average American woman spends ~100 hours a year choosing outfits. Fashivly removes the hassle of outfit curation and online shopping by making personal stylists accessible to everyone. 👗 7 in 10 Gen-Z adults and millennials see restaurant takeout as essential. Feedplan offers meal plans from restaurants to make takeout more convenient and affordable. 🍲 The average U.S. gamer spends 7+ hours a week playing for in-game rewards. GamerXSociety | The Future Of Gaming converts gameplay into tangible value for gamers while offering brands valuable first-party data insights. 🎮 Up to 40% of artworks for sale are estimated to be fake. Timbucktoo is tackling this with its digital platform for authentication and royalty automation for creators. 🖼️ The current music merchandising model is outdated and frustrating for fans. Virch Merch offers a seamless, real-time merchandise ordering experience for concert goers. 🎵 If you are building a software-enabled, consumer-facing business at the intersection of culture and lifestyle (Art, Fashion, Food, Music & Sports), we would love to meet you! Apply here:  https://bit.ly/3ly4HSf

A huge welcome to these founders. Check out more about what they're doing 👇 Let's go!

Virch Merch is beyond excited to be surrounded by the biggest cultural shifters of our time! Let's make history and ride this merch revolution together! #nomorelines

It’s official! Virch Merch is participating in the a16z Talent x Opportunity Fall 24 cohort. Pumped to join this amazing crew of founders to grow and learn together. Let’s go! 💪

I'm thrilled to announce my new role as Strategic Advisor with Virch Merch, a company revolutionizing the concert merchandise experience! My dad and I shared special memories at concerts. He waited in long merch lines because he knew the shirts were a great way to remember our experiences. Virch Merch keeps that magic alive without the hassle, keeping you in the concert experience and out of the merch line. Plus, they've fixed the model to benefit artists and managers. Virch Merch changes the game by making it easy to engage with artists beyond the show and simplifying the merch experience for everyone. We deliver items directly to your door in 5-24 hours, so no more juggling merch at shows. Just scan our QR code, browse, and buy from your phone, skipping lines and enjoying the music. Our CEO, Mel David, with their tour management and Amazon fulfillment background, saw the gap in the market. Others see the gap too—we're signing and supporting artists on tours across the US, and THE top tech investor is backing us (announcement soon!). If you're in the merch business in music, entertainment, or the creator economy, let's chat. Virch Merch will simplify your life and boost your business. Promise! #merch #musicindustry #concert #touring #venturecapital #creatoreconomy #tiktokshop #direct2consumer

Virch Merch is thrilled to announce the newest addition to our team, Head of Marketing Rachel Lowen! Rachel Lowen (She/Her) is a versatile producer with over 15 years of experience leading merchandising, brand strategy, and event production teams. Driven by the idea that we can leave the world a little more beautiful, functional, and fun than we found it, Rachel's eclectic resume spans numerous industries. Rachel cut her teeth in artist management with the renowned rock band, Umphrey's McGee, where she oversaw 6X growth of the band's merchandise program during her tenure and produced over 100 VIP experiences for the band, including internationally. Alongside her time at Umphrey's, Rachel developed a robust roster of freelance clients, including 10+ years in Artist Relations at Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits, Creative Manager for The White House Easter Egg Roll, and Executive Producer of Climate Cycle, a 65-mile cycling event benefitting STEM programming in Chicago Public Schools. In 2024, Rachel co-founded the event production company, Gopher Events, with her long-time partner in business and life, Grant Simmon. Rachel's career-long hyper-fixation on ensuring positive fan experiences drew her to Virch Merch and the company's manifesto to break down barriers that prevent accessibility to merch. Rachel is a proud New Jersey native, but a happy Chicagoan since the early aughts. She has three daughters, a shaggy dog, and an insatiable appetite for empanadas. Welcome to the merch revolution, Rachel!

Virch Merch is excited to announce the addition of Andy Anderson to our team as Head of Sales! Andy Anderson is an experienced leader in intellectual property (IP) management and works with celebrity talent across Music, Film & TV, and Gaming. He sits at the intersection of fast-paced ventures and larger corporate clients, building partnerships that bring meaningful value to all stakeholders. He advises partners on product development, business development, go-to-market strategies, and partnerships. Anderson's primary focus is on how frontier technology can forge stronger connections between fans and artists, athletes, and entertainment brands. Throughout his career, Anderson has been instrumental in bringing opportunities to clients, working with recognizable names such as Dua Lipa, Diplo, Dillon Francis, Paris Hilton, Billie Eilish, Johnny Depp, Robert Downey Jr., and many others. Previously, as a studio producer, he oversaw marketing, distribution, and licensing for tentpole films, resulting in his territories earning $250 million in box office and commercial endorsements. Welcome to the merch revolution, Andy!