Barrel Ventures

Barrel Ventures is a seed-stage venture capital firm headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The firm focuses on making minority investments in early-stage companies, primarily within the food sector. With a deep understanding of evolving consumer behavior, Barrel Ventures utilizes its extensive experience in operating, scaling, and investing in businesses to support early-stage entrepreneurs in advancing their innovative ideas.

Nathan Cooper

Founder and Partner

Nate Cooper

Founder and Partner

12 past transactions

Celleste Bio

Seed Round in 2024
Celleste Bio is a company that focuses on innovative cell culture techniques to produce high-quality cocoa ingredients. By utilizing naturally occurring cocoa cells, the company eliminates the need for traditional cocoa tree cultivation, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional cocoa production. This approach allows businesses to access environmentally friendly food ingredients without the challenges associated with growing cocoa trees. Celleste Bio's commitment to sustainability and quality positions it as a leader in providing high-value agro products while addressing the environmental impacts of conventional cocoa farming.

Helaina

Series B in 2024
Helaina is a biotechnology company dedicated to producing milk-equivalent baby formula designed as a breast milk alternative. By utilizing fermentation technology, Helaina creates bioactive proteins that replicate the functional proteins found in human breast milk, thereby offering a new category of functional food products. These products not only provide essential nutrients but also deliver immune benefits, positioning Helaina as a pioneer in the infant nutrition sector. The company's innovative approach aims to provide infants with nutritional options that closely resemble the composition and benefits of breast milk, addressing the needs of families seeking alternatives.

Great Wrap

Venture Round in 2024
Great Wrap is a manufacturer specializing in compostable cling wraps. Utilizing potato waste as its primary raw material, the company produces stretch wrap that performs similarly to conventional plastic but decomposes completely within six months, leaving no microplastics behind. This eco-friendly product caters to both residential and industrial users seeking sustainable packaging solutions.

Celleste Bio

Seed Round in 2022
Celleste Bio is a company that focuses on innovative cell culture techniques to produce high-quality cocoa ingredients. By utilizing naturally occurring cocoa cells, the company eliminates the need for traditional cocoa tree cultivation, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional cocoa production. This approach allows businesses to access environmentally friendly food ingredients without the challenges associated with growing cocoa trees. Celleste Bio's commitment to sustainability and quality positions it as a leader in providing high-value agro products while addressing the environmental impacts of conventional cocoa farming.

Partake Brewing

Series B in 2022
Partake Brewing, established in Calgary, Canada in 2017, specializes in producing and distributing high-quality, non-alcoholic crafted beers. The company caters to individuals who choose not to consume alcohol due to personal preferences or health reasons, offering popular craft beer styles at an affordable price point. Partake Brewing's products are available through retail stores and its online platform, promoting inclusivity and socializing opportunities for consumers seeking non-alcoholic beverage options.

Helaina

Series A in 2021
Helaina is a biotechnology company dedicated to producing milk-equivalent baby formula designed as a breast milk alternative. By utilizing fermentation technology, Helaina creates bioactive proteins that replicate the functional proteins found in human breast milk, thereby offering a new category of functional food products. These products not only provide essential nutrients but also deliver immune benefits, positioning Helaina as a pioneer in the infant nutrition sector. The company's innovative approach aims to provide infants with nutritional options that closely resemble the composition and benefits of breast milk, addressing the needs of families seeking alternatives.

ChannelApe

Series A in 2021
ChannelApe, Inc. is a technology company that specializes in supply chain and e-commerce management software. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Scranton, Pennsylvania, ChannelApe develops an enterprise fulfillment platform designed to automate back-end processes for direct-to-consumer brands. The software offers a comprehensive suite of tools, including third-party logistics reporting, data modeling, and distributed order management, along with integrations for major online marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay, and BigCommerce. By providing features like real-time inventory availability, label event tracking, and ship-from-store capabilities, ChannelApe enables businesses to streamline their operations, thereby saving time and resources, allowing them to concentrate on growth and customer engagement.

Gainful

Series A in 2021
Gainful is a personalized sports nutrition company that specializes in providing tailored supplements for athletes. The company offers subscriptions for its Hydration line, which includes electrolyte drink mixes designed to support optimal performance. Additionally, Gainful produces protein bars and powder supplements that cater to various dietary preferences, including plant-based, gluten-free, and soy-free options. With a focus on organic ingredients and naturally derived flavors, Gainful aims to meet the nutritional needs of consumers, helping them achieve their fitness goals and desired body types.

Kea

Series A in 2020
Kea LLC is a technology company based in the United States that specializes in developing automated ordering software for restaurants. Founded in 2018, the company offers a product called Kea Voice, which utilizes voice artificial intelligence to efficiently handle phone orders. This innovative platform enables restaurants to manage an unlimited number of inbound calls, eliminating the need for rollover lines and minimizing wait times for customers. By streamlining the order management and fulfillment processes, Kea allows restaurants to focus on food preparation while enhancing their customer service capabilities. Originally headquartered in Mountain View, Kea now operates in a fully remote working environment, reflecting its commitment to adapting to modern business practices.

Partake Brewing

Series A in 2020
Partake Brewing, established in Calgary, Canada in 2017, specializes in producing and distributing high-quality, non-alcoholic crafted beers. The company caters to individuals who choose not to consume alcohol due to personal preferences or health reasons, offering popular craft beer styles at an affordable price point. Partake Brewing's products are available through retail stores and its online platform, promoting inclusivity and socializing opportunities for consumers seeking non-alcoholic beverage options.

Olipop

Series A in 2020
Olipop, Inc. is a beverage company based in Oakland, California, founded in 2017. It specializes in producing sparkling tonics designed to promote digestive health. These beverages contain a blend of natural fibers, prebiotics, and botanical extracts, aiming to enhance digestive function and metabolic health. Olipop offers a variety of flavors, including strawberry, vanilla, cinnamon, cola, and lemon, catering to consumer taste preferences while providing a healthier alternative to traditional sodas. By focusing on the microbiome and overall wellness, Olipop seeks to provide an enjoyable and beneficial drinking experience for health-conscious consumers.

Olipop

Seed Round in 2019
Olipop, Inc. is a beverage company based in Oakland, California, founded in 2017. It specializes in producing sparkling tonics designed to promote digestive health. These beverages contain a blend of natural fibers, prebiotics, and botanical extracts, aiming to enhance digestive function and metabolic health. Olipop offers a variety of flavors, including strawberry, vanilla, cinnamon, cola, and lemon, catering to consumer taste preferences while providing a healthier alternative to traditional sodas. By focusing on the microbiome and overall wellness, Olipop seeks to provide an enjoyable and beneficial drinking experience for health-conscious consumers.
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