Flying Embers Hard Kombucha
Series B in 2019
Flying Embers is a producer of organic, hand-crafted beverages that blend ancient brewing traditions with modern innovation. The company specializes in creating low-calorie, low-carb, and low-alcohol beers that incorporate botanical adaptogens, such as reishi mushrooms, to enhance their health benefits. Their products are characterized by a unique brewing process that retains live cultures, resulting in probiotic drinks with a refreshing, unfiltered, and unpasteurized flavor. By combining traditional remedies with contemporary taste, Flying Embers aims to offer consumers a sessionable alcohol experience that emphasizes health and wellness.
Fermented Sciences
Series B in 2019
Fermented Sciences makes handcrafted organic hard kombucha products called Flying Embers. It comes with probiotics and botanical adaptogens. The company's line of live beers with active bacteria cultures, bring to life ancient brews and remedies to the modern-day. There are 6 refreshing flavors that Flying Embers offers, these are berry, lemon, ginger, pineapple, cherry, and grapefruit, all USDA certified organic with zero grams of sugar and carbs. It is a low-calorie, gluten-free, vegan beverage ranging from 4.5% to 7.5% alcohol by volume. Fermented Sciences was founded in 2016 by passionate entrepreneurs focused on disrupting the alcohol beverage industry through the creation of a revolutionary platform of great-tasting botanical brews with functional benefits. It is headquartered in Ojai, California.
Biena Snacks
Series B in 2019
Biena Snacks is a Boston-based company founded in 2012 that specializes in healthy, plant-based snack foods. The company is known for its all-natural Roasted Chickpea Snacks, available in four flavors, which are high in protein and fiber while delivering a satisfying crunch. Biena Snacks has developed a unique roasting method that ensures the chickpeas remain light, crispy, and nutrient-rich. In addition to its popular Roasted Chickpea Snacks, the company has introduced a new line of Chickpea Puffs, which has quickly gained traction in the market. The focus on using natural ingredients allows Biena Snacks to cater to a health-conscious consumer base seeking gluten, peanut, and grain-free options at affordable prices.
4th & Heart
Series C in 2019
4th & Heart is an artisan producer of organic ghee, a type of clarified butter, aiming to modernize this ancient pantry staple within mainstream American diets. The company emphasizes the health benefits and rich flavor of its ghee, which is shelf-stable, lactose-free, and considered a superior alternative to traditional butter. By promoting ghee as a healthier option, 4th & Heart positions its product to help consumers with weight loss, improved digestion, and reduced inflammation.
Vive Organic
Venture Round in 2018
Vive Organic, Inc. is a producer of cold-pressed organic beverages, specializing in ready-to-drink wellness shots made from organic and non-GMO herbs. Founded in 2015 and based in Venice, California, the company emphasizes quality by sourcing ingredients exclusively from top-tier organic farms worldwide. Vive Organic is committed to natural purity, avoiding artificial colors and sweeteners in its products. Each wellness shot is designed to support specific health functions, allowing consumers to enhance their well-being through plant-powered formulations. The products are available for purchase both in retail stores and online.
Bonafide Provisions
Funding Round in 2018
Bonafide Provisions, LLC is a family-run company based in Carlsbad, California, specializing in organic frozen bone broth and drinkable vegetable products. Established in 2011, the company aims to provide nutrient-dense broths that are rich in collagen and essential amino acids, promoting overall wellness, including gut health, immunity, and joint support. Bonafide Provisions utilizes traditional cooking methods, simmering bones with water and apple cider vinegar for over eighteen hours to create its broths. The company markets its products both online and in retail stores, having rebranded from its former name, Real True Foods LLC, in January 2016.
High Brew Coffee
Series C in 2018
High Brew Coffee, Inc. specializes in producing cold-brewed coffee beverages, focusing on ready-to-drink options made from high-quality Arabica beans. Founded in 2013 and based in Austin, Texas, the company offers its products through retail locations and online channels. High Brew Coffee's cold brewing process enhances the natural sweetness and antioxidant content of its beverages while reducing acidity and sugar levels, providing consumers with a refreshing coffee experience. Additionally, the company is committed to supporting farmers in achieving greater profitability with a lower environmental impact.
Austin Eastciders
Venture Round in 2017
Austin Eastciders, Inc. is a cider producer based in Austin, Texas, established in 2013 with the mission of revitalizing interest in cider in the United States. The company specializes in crafting traditionally made ciders using real fruit, particularly sourcing cider apples from Europe along with bitter sharp varieties to achieve drier, smoother, and more complex flavors. Their product lineup began with the Original Dry cider and has since expanded to include a variety of styles, such as Texas Honey, Hopped, Pineapple, and Blood Orange, aimed at attracting a diverse range of cider enthusiasts. By focusing on quality ingredients and innovative flavors, Austin Eastciders offers consumers traditional American ciders at accessible prices.
Biena Snacks
Series A in 2017
Biena Snacks is a Boston-based company founded in 2012 that specializes in healthy, plant-based snack foods. The company is known for its all-natural Roasted Chickpea Snacks, available in four flavors, which are high in protein and fiber while delivering a satisfying crunch. Biena Snacks has developed a unique roasting method that ensures the chickpeas remain light, crispy, and nutrient-rich. In addition to its popular Roasted Chickpea Snacks, the company has introduced a new line of Chickpea Puffs, which has quickly gained traction in the market. The focus on using natural ingredients allows Biena Snacks to cater to a health-conscious consumer base seeking gluten, peanut, and grain-free options at affordable prices.
Fishpeople
Series B in 2017
Fishpeople Seafood is a food production company founded in 2012 and headquartered in Portland, Oregon. The company specializes in providing sustainable seafood products to grocery retailers, aiming to disrupt the traditional seafood industry with innovative offerings. Fishpeople Seafood's product range includes wild American salmon, tuna, crab, and cod, all sourced sustainably. By focusing on authentic fish meat alternatives, Fishpeople Seafood enables consumers to embrace healthier and more environmentally responsible eating habits. The company is recognized for its rapid growth and commitment to sustainability in the seafood market.
Nutriati, Inc. is a company that specializes in researching, developing, and producing plant-based food products, primarily focusing on gluten-free chickpea protein and chickpea flour. Established in 2013 and headquartered in Henrico, Virginia, Nutriati offers functional plant-based ingredients that meet the growing consumer demand for high-protein and non-allergenic foods. Its products are designed to provide a clean taste profile and the necessary functional performance for various applications, including bread, baked goods, pasta, sauces, snacks, and non-dairy plant-based meat. By supplying these ingredients, Nutriati supports food companies in creating innovative products that cater to health-conscious consumers.
Sufferfest Beer Company
Series A in 2017
Sufferfest Beer Company is a craft brewing company that focuses on producing premium gluten-free beers specifically designed for athletes. The brewery utilizes an enzymatic process to remove gluten from beers that are initially fermented from gluten-containing grains. This innovative approach allows athletes and other consumers to enjoy beer without the adverse effects commonly associated with gluten, such as joint pain, inflammation, fatigue, or gastrointestinal irritation. By catering to the unique needs of active individuals, Sufferfest Beer Company aims to provide a refreshing beverage option that aligns with their health and performance goals.
Barnana
Venture Round in 2017
Barnana is a producer of healthy, organic banana-based snacks that emphasizes sustainability and nutrition. The company offers gluten-free products with no additives or preservatives, leveraging the natural sweetness of bananas. By upcycling bananas that would otherwise go to waste, Barnana supports environmental efforts to reduce food waste and lower the carbon footprint of organic banana farming. Its product line, known as the Super Potassium Snack, includes Original, Chocolate, Coconut, and Peanut Butter Organic Banana Bites, which are rich in potassium, fiber, and contain over 20 vitamins and minerals. Barnana's products are available at major grocery retailers across the United States, including Whole Foods, Safeway, and Sprouts.
Rhythm Superfoods
Series D in 2017
Rhythm Superfoods, LLC is a natural food brand based in Austin, Texas, founded in 2009. The company specializes in producing and selling a variety of healthy snacks, including kale chips, beet chips, and broccoli bites, all rich in essential nutrients and antioxidants. Rhythm Superfoods markets its products through various channels, including online platforms, retail outlets, grocery stores, and distributors across the United States and Canada. The brand emphasizes the importance of healthy eating and aims to provide nutritious snacking options for health-conscious consumers.
Rebbl Inc. is a company based in Emeryville, California, founded in 2011, that specializes in producing and selling plant-based beverages, particularly elixirs and tonics. The brand name, Rebbl, stands for roots, extracts, berries, bark, and leaves, reflecting the diverse plant constituents used in their products. The company focuses on crafting high-quality super herb beverages that incorporate traditional wellness plants and adaptogens, aiming to promote balance and wellness. Rebbl offers a variety of flavors, including dark chocolate, vanilla, hazelnut chocolate spiced pumpkin pie, salted caramel, oatmeal cookie, and chocolate peanut butter banana, catering to consumers seeking organic and vegan options that nourish the body. The products are available through various retail outlets.
Ripple Foods
Series B in 2016
Ripple Foods specializes in producing high-quality, dairy-free milk alternatives that prioritize nutrition and taste. Their products are designed to be high in protein, offering eight times the protein found in almond milk while containing half the sugar of traditional dairy milk. Additionally, Ripple's beverages are rich in bioavailable calcium, providing 50% more than regular milk, and are a good source of potassium and omega-3 fatty acids. With a focus on delivering a creamy texture that enhances the drinking experience, Ripple aims to provide a satisfying alternative for those seeking non-dairy options without sacrificing flavor or nutritional value.
Revive Kombucha
Series A in 2016
Revive Kombucha is a sustainably driven company based in Sonoma County that specializes in brewing, fermenting, and bottling craft kombucha. The company emphasizes the use of certified organic, fair-trade, and non-GMO ingredients, ensuring that its beverages are both healthy and environmentally responsible. Revive Kombucha employs unique cold press methods in its vertically integrated brewery and actively seeks local products and partners to enhance its offerings. Through its commitment to quality and sustainability, the company aims to provide refreshing and health-conscious drink options to its customers.
Rebbl Inc. is a company based in Emeryville, California, founded in 2011, that specializes in producing and selling plant-based beverages, particularly elixirs and tonics. The brand name, Rebbl, stands for roots, extracts, berries, bark, and leaves, reflecting the diverse plant constituents used in their products. The company focuses on crafting high-quality super herb beverages that incorporate traditional wellness plants and adaptogens, aiming to promote balance and wellness. Rebbl offers a variety of flavors, including dark chocolate, vanilla, hazelnut chocolate spiced pumpkin pie, salted caramel, oatmeal cookie, and chocolate peanut butter banana, catering to consumers seeking organic and vegan options that nourish the body. The products are available through various retail outlets.
Ripple Foods
Series A in 2015
Ripple Foods specializes in producing high-quality, dairy-free milk alternatives that prioritize nutrition and taste. Their products are designed to be high in protein, offering eight times the protein found in almond milk while containing half the sugar of traditional dairy milk. Additionally, Ripple's beverages are rich in bioavailable calcium, providing 50% more than regular milk, and are a good source of potassium and omega-3 fatty acids. With a focus on delivering a creamy texture that enhances the drinking experience, Ripple aims to provide a satisfying alternative for those seeking non-dairy options without sacrificing flavor or nutritional value.
TruBrain
Seed Round in 2015
TruBrain is a company focused on creating innovative performance-enhancing food and beverage products, particularly targeting the energy drink sector. By utilizing neurotechnology, TruBrain aims to improve mental performance through drinks designed to promote focus without relying on caffeine. Their products work by stimulating blood flow, delivering oxygen and nutrients to the brain, and fostering optimal conditions for attention span, memory, and complex reasoning. This approach allows consumers to enhance verbal fluency, reduce distractions, and improve mental endurance. TruBrain is supported by venture capital firms including SherpaVentures and Brightstone Venture Capital, as well as the Start Engine accelerator fund.