Based in Jacksonville, Anact, a sustainable towel manufacturer, plans to expand into new markets in the state of Florida and is ready for high growth. The company offers hemp and organic cotton towels and thus has successfully secured a total of $1 million in investments to date. This funding will help Anact scale up production and expand the team, thereby accelerating growth into new verticals such as wholesale, hospitality, and sports.

Founded by Brianna Kilcullen, Anact has already extended its reach to Austin, Texas in order to foster brand growth and tap into the networking opportunities. However, Kilcullen’s strategic shift now focuses on capitalizing on opportunities closer to home in Florida. With the backing of a Jacksonville-based investor, the new capital will help the company forge relationships within key sectors, particularly hospitality and sports, which have shown strong potential for the brand.

“The time is right for us to scale, particularly in sectors like hospitality and sports,” said Kilcullen, who sees growing opportunities in Florida’s market. The company is targeting partnerships with major local entities, including the Jacksonville Jaguars, The Players Championship, and a variety of golf courses, spas, and hotels in Northeast Florida, Orlando, and Miami.

Besides expanding the product line, the company has also concentrated on building a team locally in Jacksonville. Recently, the company hired a brand assistant and plans to fill several additional positions in sales, marketing, and operations. Kilcullen also shared that Anact is moving its legal counsel to Florida to reinforce its commitment to building a presence in the state.

Sustainable towels are handcrafted using hemp plant fiber, a water-efficient crop that saves 526 days of water per bath towel made. The towels contain no dyes or synthetic fibers and are therefore recyclable, making them environmentally friendly. The company prides itself on following the circular manufacturing philosophy and is committed to being part of the reduction of climate change.

Kilcullen, a Jacksonville native, initially launched the company through Kickstarter, using space in the Barnett building for early development. While Anact expanded to Austin to take advantage of flexible leasing and a thriving startup ecosystem, Kilcullen has since shifted focus back to Jacksonville, citing the city’s strong sense of community and local government support as key factors in her decision to expand operations there.

“We’re excited about growing in Jacksonville and being a part of a community that values connections and support,” Kilcullen said.