# Casper: Philip Krim

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2021-06-28
- Length: 1h 20m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-06-28-casper-philip-krim

## Summary

Philip Krim, co-founder and CEO of Casper, explains how he leveraged his early e-commerce experience to launch a direct-to-consumer mattress brand inspired by Warby Parker and Harry's. Krim details the product design process with industrial designer Jeff Chapin, the strategic decision to compress mattresses into boxes, and the operational challenges of scaling production with contract manufacturers in Georgia. He also discusses the intense competition from fast-followers, the legal battles over review site disclosures, and the company's journey to a $1 billion valuation and subsequent IPO.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-06-28-casper-philip-krim#t=0) Introduction: Philip Krim and the DTC Model
- [4:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-06-28-casper-philip-krim#t=265) Early E-commerce Ventures and the Merrick Group
- [16:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-06-28-casper-philip-krim#t=970) Vocali Mobile and the Path to Casper
- [26:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-06-28-casper-philip-krim#t=1566) Product Design, Prototyping, and the Boxed Mattress
- [45:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-06-28-casper-philip-krim#t=2703) Scaling Production and Fulfillment Delays
- [56:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-06-28-casper-philip-krim#t=3389) Competition, Retail Strategy, and Review Site Litigation
- [1:05:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-06-28-casper-philip-krim#t=3959) Target Partnership, IPO, and Market Performance
- [1:15:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-06-28-casper-philip-krim#t=4537) Trial Periods, Returns, and Leadership Reflections

## Topics

- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Casper (product)
- Warby Parker (company)
- Harry's (company)
- Jeff Chapin (other)
- IDEO (company)
- Red Antler (company)
- Ben Lear (other)
- Lyra Hippo Ventures (company)
- NEA (company)
- West Elm (company)
- Target (company)
- Sleepopolis (company)
- Jack Media (company)
- Purple (company)
- Saatva (company)

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- [S1E02 $1k to $25M in 12 years | Dan Kasprzyk](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-04-29-s1e02-1k-to-25m-in-12-years-dan-kasprzyk) (Being an Engineer)
- [037: Launching a Minecraft-Inspired Product with Ruth Stone of Boxhead Crafts](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2017-01-24-037-launching-a-minecraft-inspired-product-with-ruth-stone-of-boxhead-crafts) (Product Startup)
- [Founder Feature: Max Luthy of Plink!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-04-18-founder-feature-max-luthy-of-plink) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [046: Bootstrapping Product Development, Stephanie Cummings & Tal Berke of Shlocker](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2017-03-28-046-bootstrapping-product-development-stephanie-cummings-tal-berke-of-shlocker) (Product Startup)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-06-28-casper-philip-krim. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to How I Built This.