Cleveland Avenue

Cleveland Avenue deals with seed ventures, early stage and private equity deals focused on emerging restaurants, beverages, services, and technologies designed for foodservice and hospitality channels. They bring unparalleled resources and expertise to support remarkable companies and the people behind them.

Donald Thompson

CEO, Founder

37 past transactions

Hero Bread

Series B in 2023
Hero Bread is a food product company that specializes in providing nutritious foods. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, USA.

Partake Foods

Series B in 2022
Partake Foods, Inc. is a food company that specializes in producing allergy-friendly cookies. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey, the company offers a range of products that are nut-free, gluten-free, vegan, and free from the top 12 allergens, catering to families seeking safe and tasty snack options. The product lineup includes various flavors such as sprouted grain chocolate chip, double chocolate chip, sweet potato millet, carrot oat, and birthday cake mini cookies. Partake Foods sells its products online, allowing customers to enjoy healthy snacks conveniently.

Mayvenn

Series C in 2022
Mayvenn, Inc. is a company that empowers hairstylists by providing them with tools to sell hair extensions directly to their clients, eliminating the need for upfront inventory costs. Founded in 2012 and based in Oakland, California, Mayvenn has developed a platform that supports over 50,000 stylists and has attracted hundreds of thousands of customers. The company's mission focuses on transforming the salon retail experience and enhancing the purchasing process for hair extensions. Since its inception, Mayvenn has experienced significant growth, investing millions of dollars back into salons nationwide, thus fostering a movement within the beauty industry that prioritizes the needs of hairstylists and their clientele.

Paladin

Series A in 2022
Paladin creates an easy way for lawyers to find cases they’re passionate about and to capture impact data for the benefit of all. It helps legal teams sign up for pro bono opportunities, enables coordinators to track the lawyers’ work, and which captures some of the stories and impact that the lawyers are making through their efforts. Paladin was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in New York, USA.

Five to Nine

Seed Round in 2022
Five to Nine is a culture engagement solution that aims to enhance workplace connectivity and inclusion through its online platform. The platform enables human resource administrators to manage and evaluate both virtual and in-person internal programs effectively. By integrating workflows and collecting event analytics and feedback, it allows organizations to measure employee participation and sentiment. This data-driven approach helps HR teams create communities of interest within the workplace, promoting a positive work culture and driving business outcomes. Five to Nine focuses on leveraging culture-building opportunities to foster a more inclusive environment where employees feel engaged and connected.

Unreal Estate

Funding Round in 2022
At Abode, they all come to work every day because they want to solve the biggest problem in residential real estate. When you buy a home, it is usually the largest transaction of your life to date and the process is stressful and complicated. Home buyers are required to hire a team of professionals to help them get financing, find the best house, get it insured, manage all of the associated paperwork... The list goes on and on. The way this is currently done is manual and antiquated. Their team learned from personal experience that this process was simply too painful in its current form. They saw enough up close and personal to know that much of the stress and confusion could be solved by creating easy-to-use software to guide everyone in the process and enable buyers and the professionals to collaborate in real-time. Throughout the history of real estate, people have used more and more data to make better decisions. Yet in the past, most of that data has been hard to access or even understand as it was held in the hands of the few. Their mission is to make this data more transparent and easy to understand for everybody (not just real estate agents).

Bear Robotics

Series B in 2022
Bear Robotics addresses the increased pressure faced by the restaurant industry around wages, labor supply, and cost efficiencies. It aims to revolutionize the restaurant and food service industry using robotics and AI. The company makes robots that help customers receive an improved dining experience, employees with greater job satisfaction, and owners of restaurants with an increase in profits. Bear Robotics started in 2017 and is headquartered in Redwood City, California.

Soul Machines

Series B in 2022
Soul Machines Limited develops emotionally responsive avatars that augment and enrich the user experience for artificial intelligence (AI) platforms. The company’s products include Digital DNA Studio, which allows user to build custom digital people for customer care, sales and marketing, brand and influencer, product, wellbeing, people and performance, training and education, and digital innovation purposes. The company was incorporated in 2016 and is headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand with additional offices in San Francisco and Los Angeles, California; New York, New York; London, United Kingdom; Tokyo, Japan; and Melbourne, Australia.

PreciTaste AI

Series A in 2022
AIaaS, Artificial Intelligence, Product Recognition, IoT, Professional Baking Applications, Food Applications

The Desire Company

Series A in 2021
DesireList is an online shopping platform focused on delivering personal stories and authentic product reviews from real professionals. They help shoppers cut through the noise and go straight to the source real, trusted professionals who have verified experts in sports, modeling, music, style, beauty, and more. It connects consumers to real professionals giving exclusive access to hear their path to Pro as well as discover and shop the products they genuinely use and recommend. DesireList features videos of professional athletes, models, and celebrity trainers as well as make-up artists and dancers, opening up about what it takes to stay at the top of their game. It is an authentic choice for consumers who want a curated experience that allows them to get access to the Pro lifestyle and discover and shop the products that real professionals use.

Nuritas

Series B in 2021
Nuritas is revolutionising the discovery of novel, natural and scientifically proven active ingredients that can manage and improve human health. The company’s disruptive computational approach to discovery uses artificial intelligence and genomics to, for the first time ever, rapidly and efficiently predict and then provide access to the most health-benefiting components hidden within food, called bioactive peptides.

TackleAI

Funding Round in 2021
TACKLE AI, LLC develops software that provides workflow automation on documents and datasets. The company's software works with structured, unstructured, variable documents, and images to find, analyze, and organize data. The company's software caters to the healthcare, legal, legal, finance, and logistics industries. TACKLE AI, LLC was incorporated in 2017 and is based in Schaumburg, Illinois.
Intelligent Growth Solutions Ltd, founded in 2013 and based in Dundee, United Kingdom, specializes in developing and providing advanced vertical farming technology for indoor food production in diverse locations. The company offers a plug-and-play platform that includes an indoor vertical farming demonstration facility equipped with an Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled power and communications system. This system incorporates patented electrical, electronic, and mechanical technologies designed to create optimal growing conditions for plants. Intelligent Growth Solutions is committed to continuous innovation and practical design, challenging conventional approaches to agricultural technology.

Ureeka

Series A in 2021
Ureeka, Inc. develops an online platform for small and medium businesses to get mentorship and guidance. It offers Ureeka, an online community that connects small businesses with mentors, coaches, specialists, partners, and investors to gain access to the expertise that they need to grow their business. Ureeka, Inc. was formerly known as Xendro, Inc. The company was incorporated in 2018 and is based in Hillsborough, California.

Bright Cellars

Series B in 2021
Bright Cellars Inc. operates an online wine subscription service that personalizes wine selections for its members. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the company employs a questionnaire and customer feedback to understand individual tastes and preferences. Using a machine-learning algorithm, Bright Cellars generates tailored wine recommendations that are shipped monthly to subscribers, helping them discover and refine their wine palate. The service also includes options for gifting wine, making it accessible for users to share their experience with friends. Bright Cellars aims to educate and inspire a new generation of wine enthusiasts through a curated and transformative wine experience.

SupplyHive

Seed Round in 2021
SupplyHive is Supplier Performance Review Software. By enabling easy input of reviews, and employing artificial intelligence, the entire SupplyHive now elevates, every time a review or rating is posted - or accessed. SupplyHive was founded by Mike Anguiano, a serial entrepreneur who worked with a few key influencers across procurement, investors, leadership, and well-known suppliers.

86 Repairs

Seed Round in 2021
86 Repairs is a computer software company that features a subscription service that manages the entire repair process for restaurant groups. Its services include 24/7 support from our expert team, actionable insights to improve back-of-house operations, and complete management of the service process. It was founded in 2018 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Dom's Kitchen & Market

Venture Round in 2021
Dom's Kitchen & Market is an operator of a grocery store chain designed to combine shopping, restaurant dining, and home delivery. The company was founded in 2021 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Bartesian

Series A in 2021
Bartesian Inc. manufactures a cocktail machine that makes cocktails from capsules in home. It offers Bartesian, a robotic bartender that uses pre-mixed ingredient cups with different alcoholic choices to get a homemade martini or cosmo at the press of a button. The company was formerly known as MaxMixology Inc. and changed its name to Bartesian Inc. in January 2015. Bartesian Inc. was incorporated in 2014 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

86 Repairs

Seed Round in 2021
86 Repairs is a computer software company that features a subscription service that manages the entire repair process for restaurant groups. Its services include 24/7 support from our expert team, actionable insights to improve back-of-house operations, and complete management of the service process. It was founded in 2018 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

SupplyHive

Seed Round in 2021
SupplyHive is Supplier Performance Review Software. By enabling easy input of reviews, and employing artificial intelligence, the entire SupplyHive now elevates, every time a review or rating is posted - or accessed. SupplyHive was founded by Mike Anguiano, a serial entrepreneur who worked with a few key influencers across procurement, investors, leadership, and well-known suppliers.

ViuHealth

Non Equity Assistance in 2020
Drugviu combine data from FDA clinical trials, with physician and pharmacist expertise plus demographic relevant crowdsourced reviews to give you and your family trusted medication information. They have intentionally focused on Asian, Black, Latino and Native American populations because these groups have traditionally been underrepresented in medicine starting with clinical trials to measuring outcomes. They strongly believe everyone is important and everyone’s experiences matter. They believe that information is power not just for one’s self but when shared can really change communities.

Good PLANeT Foods

Series A in 2020
Good PLANeT Foods LLC is a Bellevue, Washington-based company that specializes in the production of plant-based cheese products. Founded in 2017, the company offers a range of cheese options, including shreds such as Mozzarella, Smoked Mozzarella, Parmesan, and Cheddar, as well as slices like Smoked Provolone, Cheddar, American, Garlic and Herb, and Hot Pepper. Good PLANeT Foods is committed to creating value for its customers and fostering positive relationships through its innovative offerings, reflecting a mission to promote wellness for both individuals and the planet.

FoodBoss

Venture Round in 2019
FoodBoss is an online food delivery search engine that aggregates delivery options and fees from various restaurants and service providers, including third-party platforms and those offering direct online ordering. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, FoodBoss allows consumers to explore over 30,000 restaurants in more than 44 major metropolitan markets. Users can compare menu items, prices, delivery times, and fees to identify the most economical and efficient food delivery options. This comprehensive platform enables users to see every available food delivery and pickup service, streamlining the ordering process and helping them find the best deals.

Beyond Meat

Series H in 2018
Beyond Meat, Inc. is a food company that manufactures and sells plant-based meat products both in the United States and internationally. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in El Segundo, California, Beyond Meat operates under various trademarks, including Beyond Burger and Beyond Sausage. The company distributes its products through multiple channels, including grocery stores, restaurants, and schools. Beyond Meat aims to address global concerns related to human health, climate change, resource constraints, and animal welfare. Its plant-based products are crafted using non-GMO ingredients and offer comparable or superior protein levels to traditional meat while being free from cholesterol, antibiotics, and hormones.

Farmer's Fridge

Series C in 2018
Farmer’s Fridge provides an automated smart fridge that serves salads, bowls, snacks, and more. Its unpurchased items are regularly donated to local food pantries, providing responsibly sourced nutrition to community members in need. The company is driven by a mission to make it simple for everyone to eat well. Founder Luke Saunders was frustrated with the lack of healthy, affordable options available on the road so he worked with the best in the business to create a user-friendly smart Fridge that puts chef-curated meals in your hands, in seconds. It was founded in 2013 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Bright Cellars

Venture Round in 2018
Bright Cellars Inc. operates an online wine subscription service that personalizes wine selections for its members. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the company employs a questionnaire and customer feedback to understand individual tastes and preferences. Using a machine-learning algorithm, Bright Cellars generates tailored wine recommendations that are shipped monthly to subscribers, helping them discover and refine their wine palate. The service also includes options for gifting wine, making it accessible for users to share their experience with friends. Bright Cellars aims to educate and inspire a new generation of wine enthusiasts through a curated and transformative wine experience.

Zerocater

Series B in 2018
Zerocater, Inc. operates a subscription-based and on-demand food ordering platform tailored for companies and their employees. Founded in 2009 and based in San Francisco, the company specializes in delivering personalized and diet-specific meals sourced from independent restaurants, caterers, food trucks, and private chefs. Zerocater caters to various occasions, including meetings, events, and celebrations, offering a diverse menu that includes breakfast, lunch, dessert, and alcohol from craft breweries. The company serves clients across major cities such as New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Austin, and Los Angeles, with aspirations for national expansion. By focusing on office catering and snack services, Zerocater aims to enhance workplace culture and community through food, leveraging technology and partnerships to streamline its operations and provide insights into food programs.

Farmwise LLC

Venture Round in 2018
Farmwise LLC, founded in 2013 and based in Wellesley, Massachusetts, specializes in producing frozen vegetable-based fries. The company offers a variety of products, including carrot, broccoli, chickpeas, red peppers, and Tuscan beans and herbs crispy fries, marketed under the brand names Veggie Fries, Veggie Tots, and Veggie Rings. Farmwise LLC aims to create healthier alternatives to popular foods while maintaining great taste. Its products are distributed through supermarkets and natural food stores across the United States. As of February 2020, Farmwise LLC operates as a subsidiary of B&G Foods, Inc.
Sustainable Beverage Technologies focuses on unlocking unprecedented efficiencies in brewing, distribution, and draft beer. The company's brewery specializes in producing beer concentrate that mixes with water and carbon dioxide in a bottle, enabling hikers and adventurers to get the taste of delicious beer while traveling. It was incorporated in 2010 and is based in Denver, Colorado.

Beyond Meat

Series G in 2017
Beyond Meat, Inc. is a food company that manufactures and sells plant-based meat products both in the United States and internationally. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in El Segundo, California, Beyond Meat operates under various trademarks, including Beyond Burger and Beyond Sausage. The company distributes its products through multiple channels, including grocery stores, restaurants, and schools. Beyond Meat aims to address global concerns related to human health, climate change, resource constraints, and animal welfare. Its plant-based products are crafted using non-GMO ingredients and offer comparable or superior protein levels to traditional meat while being free from cholesterol, antibiotics, and hormones.

SomruS

Venture Round in 2017
SomruS is an exotic, luxurious blend of cardamom, saffron, almond, pistachio & rose, awarded 94 points by Wine Enthusiast.

Bhakti

Series B in 2017
Bhakti, Inc. is a company based in Boulder, Colorado, that specializes in producing chai concentrates, iced chai beverages, dry tea products, and ready-to-drink products. Founded in 2002, the company prioritizes sustainability by sourcing ingredients that are Fair Trade, Non-GMO, and organic. Bhakti offers a diverse range of iced chai bottles in six varieties, including Original, Decaf, Coffee Blend, Semi-Sweet, Almond Blend, and Toasted Coconut Almond Blend. Its concentrate products are available in various sizes, such as quarts, half gallons, and gallons, and can be found in retailers like Whole Foods and Costco, as well as in cafes across the United States. Bhakti is committed to ethical business practices, aligning with the principles of B Corp and the triple bottom line approach.

PizzaRev

Acquisition in 2017
PizzaRev is a fast casual franchise pizza restaurant chain focused on providing customers with the ability to create personalized pizzas. The company emphasizes the use of homemade dough, flavorful sauces, and natural cheeses, allowing patrons to customize their meals to suit individual tastes. By offering a made-to-order experience, PizzaRev caters to a diverse clientele seeking fresh and unique pizza options.

Drink Simple

Venture Round in 2017
Maple water is pure sap from the maple trees. It's a common misconception that all sap is sticky. Maple sap actually looks and feels just like regular water. The main difference is that maple water goes through a natural process that infuses it with nutrients. In early spring, maple trees pull water from the ground and filter it through their roots. This water collects nutrients stored in the tree all winter and provides hydration and nourishment that enable the tree’s growth and rejuvenation in the spring renewal season.

Beyond Meat

Series F in 2016
Beyond Meat, Inc. is a food company that manufactures and sells plant-based meat products both in the United States and internationally. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in El Segundo, California, Beyond Meat operates under various trademarks, including Beyond Burger and Beyond Sausage. The company distributes its products through multiple channels, including grocery stores, restaurants, and schools. Beyond Meat aims to address global concerns related to human health, climate change, resource constraints, and animal welfare. Its plant-based products are crafted using non-GMO ingredients and offer comparable or superior protein levels to traditional meat while being free from cholesterol, antibiotics, and hormones.