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Sebastian Hayto

Specialty Retail for High Growth Consumer Brands

Sebastian Hayto is the founder of Middlebox, a company that provides bespoke services for digitally native brands aiming to expand their retail footprint.12 He founded Middlebox in 2023 and is based in London, United Kingdom.1

Prior to founding Middlebox, Hayto's professional experience includes:

  • COO at Kameo Health Inc. from 2020 to 2023 in Miami, Florida1
  • Specialty Retail & Brand Partnerships at Harry's, Inc. from 2015 to 2020 in New York1
  • Retail Sales at Quirky from 2014 to 2015 in New York1
  • Merchandizing & Supply Chain at Target from 2011 to 2014 in Toronto, Canada1

Hayto has a strong background in retail and consumer goods, with expertise in guiding early-stage brands to retail success.4 He leverages his experience to help high-growth DTC (Direct-to-Consumer) brands expand into US retail markets.4

Middlebox, under Hayto's leadership, specializes in orchestrating brand launches with high-equity retail partners and strategically positioning clients for future expansion into mass retail markets.2 The company offers services such as developing retail prospect lists, creating pitch materials, and negotiating terms with sought-after retailers in the US.2

As of February 2025, Hayto is actively involved in growing Middlebox and working with various brands. In July 2024, he announced that Middlebox had started working with ZBiotics, a brand he had been following for years.3

Highlights

Aug 28 · linkedin

Excited to launch Caldera + Lab at Uncrate this week.

If I had a shopping spree at 1 retailer or needed to accessorize like a 007 agent, I’d shop uncrate.

I first worked with their team when Harry’s launched in retail for the first time.

Ever since, they’ve been thoughtful retail professionals, quickly saying “no” when the fit wasn’t right for their audience but always leaning in when it was.

https://lnkd.in/gQifc26N

Team Middlebox strikes again. Thank you Cathleen Cataldo for driving this!

Aug 27 · linkedin

Aerflo launches TODAY. Very proud that Middlebox will be working with Aerflo on all things retail. This brand will be everywhere in no time.

Want to watch a best-in-class DTC brand come to life after 5 years in the making?

Follow along at Aerflo.co or Instagram.com/aerflo.co.

Congrats John Thorp, Buzz Wiggins and the full Aerflo team!

https://lnkd.in/exFZ-W7p

Related Questions

What inspired Sebastian Hayto to start Middlebox?
How did Sebastian Hayto's experience at Harry's, Inc. influence his approach at Middlebox?
What are some notable brands Middlebox has worked with?
How does Middlebox help digitally native brands expand their retail footprint?
What challenges has Sebastian Hayto faced in his career, and how did he overcome them?
Sebastian Hayto
Sebastian Hayto, photo 1
Sebastian Hayto, photo 2
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Location

London, England, United Kingdom