June 24--Footwear brand BucketFeet raised $3 million in venture debt from Wintrust Ventures, the new innovation-focused business unit from Rosemont-based commercial bank Wintrust Financial, the companies said.
Chicago-based BucketFeet, which creates shoes bearing the designs of artists from around the world, has raised more than $16 million since its founding in 2011.
The new funding, from the tech venture arm Wintrust launched in January, will be used to grow the BucketFeet team, advance technology and help with new product development.
BucketFeet, which has a network of more than 17,000 artists and sells its shoes in more than 20 countries, operates two stores in Chicago, one in the Loop and another that opened this month in Bucktown, one in New York and one in the Philippines. The company also has pop-ups planned this summer in Europe.
aelejalderuiz@tribpub.com
