Launched by four co-founders, Greycork makes and sells sturdy, easy-to-assemble furniture.
Founded in January 2014, the Providence firm discontinued its first product, a prototype of a coffee table, in March 2015 because sales were slower than expected, co-founder and CEO John Humphrey said. Products today include a sofa, coffee table, side table, bookcase and chaise.
Wanting to start a new furniture brand to rival IKEA for practicality, affordability and attractiveness, Humphrey teamed up with Myung Chul “Bruce” Kim, chief product officer; Alec Babala, chief design officer; and Jonah Willcox-Healey, industrial designer.
“There’s a really big opportunity for a company like ours to create a new furniture brand that resonates with people today,” Humphrey said.
All four live in Providence, and Willcox-Healey, Kim and Babala graduated from Rhode Island School of Design.
Developing the living room furniture together, the Greycork co-founders launched an Indiegogo campaign in September that raised $260,000, Humphrey said.
Greycork has about 1,000 pre-orders, which it plans to begin shipping in December. •