Umbra

Umbra is a Toronto-based homeware company with a slogan "Inspired by design, driven to perform!" The company was founded in 1980 by graphic designer Paul Rowan, who, unable to find a suitable window shade, decided to create his own, leading to the birth of Umbra ("shade" in Latin). Teaming up with his childhood friend Les Mandelbaum, the company has since become a global phenomenon, renowned for infusing everyday items with thought and creativity. Umbra's designs are available in over 118 countries and the company operates an international team of in-house designers. Its last investment saw a $3.40M Series A investment on 29 October 2015, with funding provided by Lifeline Ventures and Initial Capital. Umbra operates within the E-Commerce space and is headquartered in Canada. With a flagship store located in Toronto, the company continues to push the boundaries of homeware design and accessibility.