Rich Products Ventures

Rich Products Ventures, established in 2017 and located in Emeryville, California, is the corporate venture capital arm of Rich Products Corporation. The firm focuses on investing in early-stage ventures within the food industry, aiming to foster innovation and growth in this sector. Through its investments, Rich Products Ventures seeks to support companies that align with its mission to enhance the food experience while advancing the development of new products and solutions.

Dinsh Guzdar

Managing Director, Corporate Venture Fund

19 past transactions

Phytolon

Venture Round in 2024
Phytolon Ltd is a company based in Misgav, Israel, specializing in the development of natural food colorants. Founded in 2000, Phytolon utilizes a novel fermentation technology that employs baker's yeast cells as biofactories to produce high-quality, plant-based food colors. This innovative approach offers a healthy alternative to synthetic food dyes, providing food manufacturers with safe, cost-effective, and stable all-natural color solutions. The company's mission is to leverage scientific advancements to promote human health and environmental sustainability in the food industry.

Marqii

Venture Round in 2024
Marqii is a digital operations platform that enables hospitality businesses, including restaurants, bars, dispensaries, and coffee shops, to manage their online presence effectively. The company provides a user-friendly dashboard that allows clients to control their online information, menus, listings, and customer reviews. By partnering with over 80 online publishers such as Google, Facebook, and Yelp, Marqii helps businesses publish their promotional offers and specials directly to consumers, enhancing visibility and attracting more customers. With a client base of more than 3,000 establishments, Marqii streamlines the process of updating and managing business information, ultimately assisting hospitality operators in saving time, improving search rankings, and understanding customer preferences. Based in the United States, Marqii focuses on empowering local businesses to maximize their marketing efforts in a competitive environment.

Wilkinson Baking

Seed Round in 2022
Wilkinson Baking Company, founded in 1998 and based in Walla Walla, Washington, specializes in designing and manufacturing innovative bread-making machines. Its flagship product, the BreadBot, automates the bread production process, enabling the creation of fresh, all-natural bread with minimal manual intervention. The system includes features such as an autostart option, even production distribution, and an automatic cleaning cycle for the mixing pot. It also monitors critical parameters like water temperature, mixer speed, proofer humidity, and loaf height, while equipped with sensors to track oven temperature, bakery status, production count, and timing for the next loaf. By providing a reliable and efficient baking solution, Wilkinson Baking Company empowers general stores to enhance their offerings and increase sales.

Kitchen United

Series C in 2022
Kitchen United, Inc. is a food production company based in Pasadena, California, founded in 2017. It specializes in offering shared commercial kitchen spaces designed for restaurants, catering services, pop-ups, mobile food vendors, and startups. By providing turnkey solutions and business intelligence resources, Kitchen United enables food service providers to expand their operations with minimal financial risk. The company facilitates food production for pick-up and delivery, catering to the growing demand for convenient dining options. Kitchen United operates multiple locations across major cities, including Austin, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City, and Scottsdale, thereby supporting a diverse range of culinary entrepreneurs in realizing their business potential.

Atomo Coffee

Series A in 2022
Atomo Coffee Inc, founded in 2019 and based in Seattle, Washington, specializes in the development of molecular coffee. The company has innovatively reverse-engineered the coffee bean to produce a smooth cup of coffee using naturally derived ingredients. This approach aims to offer a more sustainable alternative to traditional coffee production methods, addressing environmental concerns associated with coffee cultivation. By focusing on sustainability and quality, Atomo Coffee is positioned to disrupt the conventional coffee market with its unique product offerings.

Chinova Bioworks

Series A in 2022
Chinova Bioworks Inc. is a Canadian company established in 2016, specializing in the development of natural antimicrobials for the beverage industry. Based in Fredericton, the company utilizes a chitosan polymer derived from fungal-sourced technology, specifically natural fibers from mushrooms. This innovative antimicrobial offers broad-spectrum protection against spoilage, effectively enhancing the shelf life of fresh juices and other products. Chinova's preservative is recognized for being a natural and healthy ingredient, making it suitable for use not only in foods and beverages but also in cosmetics and personal care items. By providing solutions that improve quality and freshness while reducing food waste, Chinova Bioworks aims to increase consumer satisfaction and support manufacturers in their efforts to deliver premium products.

Strella Biotechnology

Series A in 2022
Strella Biotechnology, founded in 2018 and headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, focuses on enhancing the freshness of produce throughout the supply chain. The company specializes in designing and manufacturing sensors that detect ethylene gas, a key indicator of ripeness in fruits. By measuring ethylene production, Strella's technology helps optimize freshness and minimize spoilage. The company leverages its proprietary sensing technology to provide valuable data for improving supply chain management in the food industry.

HaoFood

Seed Round in 2022
HaoFood is a pioneering company in the plant-based meat sector, specifically focused on developing realistic and delicious plant-based chicken products. The company's founders identified a gap in the market, noting consumer dissatisfaction with existing offerings that often had a tofu-like texture. With a significant portion of the Chinese population seeking to reduce meat consumption, HaoFood addresses this demand by utilizing peanut protein as the primary ingredient, which allows for a strong and elastic texture that mimics traditional chicken products. This innovation not only caters to the taste preferences of flexitarians and vegetarians but also aims to provide a satisfying alternative to comfort foods like fried chicken. Led by a team of seasoned professionals with expertise in entrepreneurship and food technology, HaoFood employs proprietary extrusion technology and formulation to produce affordable and sustainable plant-based chicken options, contributing to a growing trend of healthier eating in China.

Believer

Series B in 2021
Believer Meats is a biotechnology company based in Jerusalem, Israel, that specializes in the production of cultured meat through advanced cellular agriculture. Founded in 2018, the company aims to revolutionize global meat production by utilizing distributive manufacturing technology to produce fat and muscle cells without the necessity of raising or harvesting animals. This innovative approach not only enhances food safety but also significantly reduces the ecological impact associated with traditional meat production. By leveraging the expertise of award-winning biologists and bioengineers, along with collaboration from renowned chefs, Believer Meats is committed to making animal-free meat a viable and appealing option for consumers, ultimately providing healthier substitutes for conventional meat products.

Thistle

Series B in 2021
Thistle, established in 2013 and headquartered in San Francisco, specializes in delivering ready-to-eat, plant-based meals, snacks, and cold-pressed juices directly to customers. Its offerings are nutritious, gourmet, and sourced locally and organically, making healthy eating convenient and accessible.

Believer

Series A in 2020
Believer Meats is a biotechnology company based in Jerusalem, Israel, that specializes in the production of cultured meat through advanced cellular agriculture. Founded in 2018, the company aims to revolutionize global meat production by utilizing distributive manufacturing technology to produce fat and muscle cells without the necessity of raising or harvesting animals. This innovative approach not only enhances food safety but also significantly reduces the ecological impact associated with traditional meat production. By leveraging the expertise of award-winning biologists and bioengineers, along with collaboration from renowned chefs, Believer Meats is committed to making animal-free meat a viable and appealing option for consumers, ultimately providing healthier substitutes for conventional meat products.

MycoTechnology

Series D in 2020
MycoTechnology is a food technology company based in Aurora, Colorado, that specializes in utilizing fungi-based food-processing platforms to enhance the flavor and nutritional value of agricultural products. Incorporated in 2013, the company addresses challenges in the food, beverage, and flavor industries through innovative solutions. One of its key products, ClearTaste, is an all-natural, GMO-free, organic bitter blocker that is both Kosher and Halal certified, designed to improve the flavor profile of various agricultural offerings. Additionally, MycoTechnology engages in the fermentation of agricultural products using gourmet fungi, producing items such as myceliated chocolate and enhanced coffee beans. The company also develops and licenses technology aimed at naturally improving the flavor characteristics of robusta and arabica coffee, thereby enabling food producers to incorporate healthier ingredients and strengthen brand association.

Tovala

Series B in 2020
Tovala is a Chicago-based company that offers a unique combination of a smart oven and a fresh meal delivery service, aiming to simplify dinner preparation for busy individuals. Founded in 2015 and launched in 2017, Tovala's system features an internet-connected countertop steam oven designed for multi-step cooking, paired with gourmet chef-prepared meals. This innovative approach allows users to enjoy healthy, home-cooked meals with minimal effort, requiring only the scanning of a barcode to initiate the cooking process. Tovala's service addresses the growing demand for convenient and nutritious meal solutions in today’s fast-paced lifestyle.

BlueNalu

Series A in 2019
BlueNalu, Inc. is a cellular aquaculture company based in San Diego, California, founded in 2017. The company specializes in processing and producing cell-based seafood products by culturing fish tissue from cells, thereby addressing the global demand for seafood while promoting sustainability and reducing overfishing. BlueNalu offers a range of healthy, safe, and high-quality seafood options that support the diversity of ocean ecosystems. Its innovative approach allows for the creation of fresh and frozen seafood products that are free from plastics, pathogens, toxins, and other contaminants, catering to restaurants and consumers seeking trusted seafood alternatives.

Kitchen United

Series B in 2019
Kitchen United, Inc. is a food production company based in Pasadena, California, founded in 2017. It specializes in offering shared commercial kitchen spaces designed for restaurants, catering services, pop-ups, mobile food vendors, and startups. By providing turnkey solutions and business intelligence resources, Kitchen United enables food service providers to expand their operations with minimal financial risk. The company facilitates food production for pick-up and delivery, catering to the growing demand for convenient dining options. Kitchen United operates multiple locations across major cities, including Austin, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City, and Scottsdale, thereby supporting a diverse range of culinary entrepreneurs in realizing their business potential.

Good Eggs

Series B in 2019
Good Eggs, Inc. is an online grocery delivery service based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2011. The company specializes in providing a diverse range of products, including fresh, local produce, meal kits, grocery staples, and beverages such as wine and beer. Good Eggs emphasizes thoughtfully sourced, sustainable ingredients, offering items like dairy products, meats, seafood, snacks, pantry essentials, and health and home goods. By focusing on quality and local sourcing, Good Eggs aims to deliver an exceptional grocery shopping experience, allowing customers to conveniently order fresh food and have it delivered directly to their homes or offices in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The EVERY Company

Series B in 2019
The EVERY Company, formerly known as Clara Foods, specializes in producing animal-free proteins for the food and beverage industry. Founded in 2014 and based in South San Francisco, California, the company utilizes advanced fermentation technology to create functional and nutritional proteins derived from microorganisms. Its product line includes baking ingredients, nutritional supplements, and egg white alternatives that are free from pathogens and suitable for various culinary applications, such as cakes and meringues. The EVERY Company aims to provide a sustainable, healthier, and kinder alternative to traditional animal agriculture by decoupling protein production from animals, thereby offering consumers healthy and affordable protein options without added sugars.

MycoTechnology

Series C in 2018
MycoTechnology is a food technology company based in Aurora, Colorado, that specializes in utilizing fungi-based food-processing platforms to enhance the flavor and nutritional value of agricultural products. Incorporated in 2013, the company addresses challenges in the food, beverage, and flavor industries through innovative solutions. One of its key products, ClearTaste, is an all-natural, GMO-free, organic bitter blocker that is both Kosher and Halal certified, designed to improve the flavor profile of various agricultural offerings. Additionally, MycoTechnology engages in the fermentation of agricultural products using gourmet fungi, producing items such as myceliated chocolate and enhanced coffee beans. The company also develops and licenses technology aimed at naturally improving the flavor characteristics of robusta and arabica coffee, thereby enabling food producers to incorporate healthier ingredients and strengthen brand association.

Byte Foods

Seed Round in 2018
Byte Foods, Inc. is a company based in San Rafael, California, that specializes in manufacturing automatic vending machines and refrigerators designed to serve food on-site at businesses. Founded in 2015, the company operates primarily in the San Francisco Bay Area and focuses on distributing food products for corporate clients. Byte Foods utilizes IoT-enabled fridges to enhance workplace dining experiences, offering a variety of fresh and healthy meals from local food brands. As of January 2020, Byte Foods operates as a subsidiary of Oh My Green, Inc., further expanding its reach in the food service sector.
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