How Casper Acquired Casper.com to Build a Mattress Empire

NOTE: Exact purchase price needs verification - acquired after Series A funding round

Before Casper became the mattress company revolutionizing sleep, Philip Krim and his four co-founders faced an unexpectedly challenging task—naming the company. With five different perspectives, it was an intense process, filled with passionate debate.

The Naming Struggle

Working with branding agency Red Antler, the co-founders navigated what could have been a chaotic process. At one point, they almost went with "Dukes" but ultimately settled on "Casper"—a choice that felt right after some reflection.

The company began as CasperSleep.com because Casper.com was already taken.

The Hunt for Casper.com

Acquiring Casper.com was not simple. The domain had been owned since 1998 by Gary Casper, a guy based in Houston who had a very specific goal—he wanted to buy a boat.

Despite Krim's own Houston roots, hometown advantage didn't help negotiate the price. Gary set his asking price from the start and stuck with it. However, Gary remained fair throughout the process, never jacking up the price as Casper's success began to grow.

After their Series A fundraising round ($13.1 million), the co-founders bit the bullet and made the investment, securing Casper.com for good.

Was It Worth It?

Reflecting on the decision, Krim called it a "no-brainer." He noted that a domain name is one of the key touch points for building a brand. Whether seen on an ad or typed into a browser, the domain carries significant weight in shaping customer perception.

"Consumers are inundated with information, so anything you can do to make it easier for them to find you and remember you is worth the investment," Krim explained.

The First Month: $1 Million in Sales

In their first month of operation, Casper raked in $1 million in sales. With that kind of momentum, the decision to invest in a high-quality domain like Casper.com paid off, even though it was difficult to quantify its immediate impact.

Krim acknowledged that founders often face tough choices between spending on intangible assets like domain names and focusing on more pressing operational needs. The decision depends on a company's stage and long-term vision.

Acquiring Casper.com was part of Casper's broader strategy to become a household name. "We wanted to build a category-defining, generational brand. If that's your ambition, then take the swing early and invest in the right assets," Krim said.

"If you want to be a brand, your domain name is a big touchpoint."