Valley Oak Investments

Valley Oak Investments is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, with roots tracing back to its founding in 1999 as a family office in Davis, California. The firm focuses on early-stage investments in private companies that are developing innovative technologies and brands in the food, agriculture, and health and wellness sectors. With a commitment to building sustainable enterprises, Valley Oak partners with exceptional entrepreneurs to create impactful businesses. The firm manages a permanent capital base, which enables it to support long-term growth and development in its chosen industries.

Niko Hrdy

President and Founder

22 past transactions

Fathom

Seed Round in 2022
Developer of artificial intelligence notetaker software designed to transcribe and create clips on an online meeting. The company's platform offers system software that records parts of conversations in real time and adds them in text format for future usage, enabling users to tag those extracts so that they can be shared later on.

Spoiler Alert

Series A in 2021
Spoiler Alert is a Boston-based supply chain software company that specializes in helping food manufacturers and grocery distributors manage excess and distressed inventory. Founded in 2015, the company has developed an inventory liquidation platform that digitizes liquidation processes for consumer packaged goods brands, facilitating connections with a network of discount retailers and nonprofit organizations. This enterprise solution enhances relationships between suppliers and customers, while improving efficiency and accuracy in surplus inventory management. By focusing on maximizing value recovery, Spoiler Alert addresses significant challenges related to food waste, resource deficiency, and hunger. The company's innovative approach combines technology such as workflow automation and traceability to support the food industry, ultimately contributing to environmental sustainability and social impact.

Gradient Works

Seed Round in 2021
Gradient Works is a seed-stage software company based in Austin, Texas, focused on enhancing the efficiency of revenue teams through innovative automation solutions. The company specializes in rules of engagement automation and dynamic quota coverage, aimed at improving outbound performance for organizations. Its platform offers features such as intelligent lead-to-account matching, flexible routing workflows, and dynamic assignment capabilities. By streamlining these processes, Gradient Works enables clients to more effectively reach their sales targets, ultimately increasing overall organizational attainment. The company is founded by experienced entrepreneurs with expertise in revenue organizations and customer lifecycle management.

Bear Flag Robotics

Seed Round in 2021
Bear Flag Robotics, Inc. specializes in creating self-driving technology for tractors and agricultural implements, aiming to reduce farming costs through automation. Founded in 2017 and based in Sunnyvale, California, the company’s software enables users to plan routes, schedule tasks, and monitor equipment with real-time alerts from a remote location. Its technology utilizes perception sensors and robotic actuators, allowing for efficient route planning and obstacle avoidance. Additionally, Bear Flag Robotics provides features such as remote emergency stop capabilities and centralized mission control, which delivers real-time data about tractor operations, ultimately helping farmers enhance productivity and reduce input costs.

Pair Team

Seed Round in 2019
Pair Team provides an end-to-end operations platform to automate clinical operations and provide high-touch patient support. The platform monitors health plan and system data to trigger automated workflows that engage patients to schedule clinically impactful visits. Pair Team was founded in 2019 and based in San Francisco, California.

Hazel Technologies

Series B in 2019
Hazel Technologies, Inc. designs and manufactures packaging inserts to reduce the spoilage of fruits and vegetables. It offers packaging inserts called sachets that are placed in boxes of the produce by growers at the time of harvest, extending the shelf-life of produce by slowing aging in produce and preventing fungus or decay. The company also provides agricultural and horticultural consulting services. Hazel Technologies, Inc. was founded in 2015 and is based in Chicago, Illinois with an additional location in Salinas, California.

Spoiler Alert

Corporate Round in 2018
Spoiler Alert is a Boston-based supply chain software company that specializes in helping food manufacturers and grocery distributors manage excess and distressed inventory. Founded in 2015, the company has developed an inventory liquidation platform that digitizes liquidation processes for consumer packaged goods brands, facilitating connections with a network of discount retailers and nonprofit organizations. This enterprise solution enhances relationships between suppliers and customers, while improving efficiency and accuracy in surplus inventory management. By focusing on maximizing value recovery, Spoiler Alert addresses significant challenges related to food waste, resource deficiency, and hunger. The company's innovative approach combines technology such as workflow automation and traceability to support the food industry, ultimately contributing to environmental sustainability and social impact.

Hazel Technologies

Series A in 2018
Hazel Technologies, Inc. designs and manufactures packaging inserts to reduce the spoilage of fruits and vegetables. It offers packaging inserts called sachets that are placed in boxes of the produce by growers at the time of harvest, extending the shelf-life of produce by slowing aging in produce and preventing fungus or decay. The company also provides agricultural and horticultural consulting services. Hazel Technologies, Inc. was founded in 2015 and is based in Chicago, Illinois with an additional location in Salinas, California.

FarmWise

Seed Round in 2017
FarmWise Labs, Inc. develops innovative robotic machinery aimed at enhancing agricultural efficiency. Founded in 2016 and based in San Francisco, the company specializes in autonomous cultivation solutions, particularly focusing on weeding and thinning crops. FarmWise's technology utilizes machine learning and artificial intelligence to perform essential farming tasks such as weeding, planting, sowing, and soil tilling. Their autonomous vegetable weeder is designed to minimize the use of herbicides, allowing farmers to cultivate healthier crops while improving overall productivity. By streamlining farm operations, FarmWise aims to support sustainable farming practices and increase food production efficiency.

Hazel Technologies

Seed Round in 2017
Hazel Technologies, Inc. designs and manufactures packaging inserts to reduce the spoilage of fruits and vegetables. It offers packaging inserts called sachets that are placed in boxes of the produce by growers at the time of harvest, extending the shelf-life of produce by slowing aging in produce and preventing fungus or decay. The company also provides agricultural and horticultural consulting services. Hazel Technologies, Inc. was founded in 2015 and is based in Chicago, Illinois with an additional location in Salinas, California.

Spoiler Alert

Seed Round in 2016
Spoiler Alert is a Boston-based supply chain software company that specializes in helping food manufacturers and grocery distributors manage excess and distressed inventory. Founded in 2015, the company has developed an inventory liquidation platform that digitizes liquidation processes for consumer packaged goods brands, facilitating connections with a network of discount retailers and nonprofit organizations. This enterprise solution enhances relationships between suppliers and customers, while improving efficiency and accuracy in surplus inventory management. By focusing on maximizing value recovery, Spoiler Alert addresses significant challenges related to food waste, resource deficiency, and hunger. The company's innovative approach combines technology such as workflow automation and traceability to support the food industry, ultimately contributing to environmental sustainability and social impact.

Sample6

Series C in 2016
Sample6 is a biotechnology company that specializes in the development of a synthetic-biology based diagnostic system for bacteria. Its innovative technology enables enrichment-free detection of harmful bacteria, identifying levels as low as 1 CFU/ml within just four hours. The proprietary Bioillumination Platform, created by a team of researchers including Professor Tim Lu from MIT, allows for the engineering of bioparticles that target specific unwanted bacteria, illuminating them for detection. This system is coupled with sensitive sensor technology that provides rapid on-site results without the need for a laboratory. Sample6 aims to enhance public health and safety by enabling quick and efficient detection of harmful bacteria across various industries, including food production, retail, and healthcare, addressing environments where humans and bacteria interact.

Whoop

Series B in 2015
Whoop, Inc. specializes in developing wearable fitness sensors designed for athletes to monitor their heart rate and movements during workouts. Founded in 2012 and based in Boston, Massachusetts, the company offers a performance optimization system that tracks key metrics such as recovery, training intensity, and sleep patterns. This data allows athletes, coaches, and trainers to maintain a better balance in training, minimize injuries, and enhance overall performance. The Whoop Strap 3.0 continuously collects physiological data to provide users with detailed insights into their bodies, enabling them to avoid over-training and maximize their potential. In addition to its wearable technology, Whoop sells various apparel and accessories online, further supporting the fitness community.

Plated

Series B in 2015
Plated is a New York-based company founded in 2012 that specializes in delivering fresh ingredients and chef-designed recipes directly to consumers' homes. The company operates an online platform that offers a subscription-based service, allowing users to prepare restaurant-quality meals at home. By focusing on providing ready-to-cook ingredients alongside easy-to-follow recipes, Plated aims to facilitate home cooking for individuals who are enthusiastic about food and wish to share culinary experiences with others.

NatureBox

Series C in 2015
NatureBox, Inc. is a food brand based in Redwood City, California, that specializes in the online delivery of healthy snacks. Founded in 2011, the company offers a variety of non-GMO and vegan snack options, including dried fruits, nut mixes, cookies, chips, and popcorn. NatureBox aims to create a personalized shopping experience online that caters to individual taste and dietary preferences, focusing initially on the $64 billion snack food market. The company has experienced significant growth in its customer base and serves consumers across all 50 states. In addition to its commercial activities, NatureBox is committed to social responsibility, partnering with organizations like WhyHunger to provide nutritious food to underserved communities and previously donating over 150,000 meals to Feeding America.

MiniLuxe

Venture Round in 2014
MiniLuxe, Inc. operates beauty salons across the United States, providing a range of services including manicures, pedicures, waxing, and brow shaping. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, the company has expanded to multiple locations, including cities in Massachusetts, Texas, and Rhode Island. In addition to its salon services, MiniLuxe offers personal beauty products and gift cards available for purchase online. The brand focuses on delivering a comprehensive nail and beauty experience for both men and women.

Whoop

Series A in 2014
Whoop, Inc. specializes in developing wearable fitness sensors designed for athletes to monitor their heart rate and movements during workouts. Founded in 2012 and based in Boston, Massachusetts, the company offers a performance optimization system that tracks key metrics such as recovery, training intensity, and sleep patterns. This data allows athletes, coaches, and trainers to maintain a better balance in training, minimize injuries, and enhance overall performance. The Whoop Strap 3.0 continuously collects physiological data to provide users with detailed insights into their bodies, enabling them to avoid over-training and maximize their potential. In addition to its wearable technology, Whoop sells various apparel and accessories online, further supporting the fitness community.

Farmeron

Seed Round in 2014
Farmeron helps farmers across the world to manage their farming data online and to do farm performance analysis using exciting statistics. By integrating Farmeron with machinery being used on farms of the world, we're able to speed up data retrieval process and ease core farming data management operations. Adding an analytics layer on top this data, Farmeron delivers statistics and reports to farmers, and these can be used to monitor production performance, adjust production plans but also for government reporting needs.

Sourcery Technologies

Seed Round in 2013
Sourcery Technologies operates an electronic invoicing and payments platform tailored for the wholesale foodservice industry, which is valued at approximately $220 billion. Founded in 2012 and based in San Francisco, the company addresses the outdated practices prevalent in the sector, such as paper catalogs and faxed orders, by bringing these transactions online. The platform streamlines the accounts payable process, offering features like invoice storage, automated workflows, and data analytics that identify pricing anomalies. Sourcery’s solution is designed for various clients, including restaurants, caterers, and corporate kitchens, enabling them to manage transactions efficiently while integrating seamlessly with popular accounting and restaurant management software. The company serves notable clients such as Palantir, Dropbox, Airbnb, and Stripe, and operates as a subsidiary of Lavu, Inc.

Whoop

Seed Round in 2013
Whoop, Inc. specializes in developing wearable fitness sensors designed for athletes to monitor their heart rate and movements during workouts. Founded in 2012 and based in Boston, Massachusetts, the company offers a performance optimization system that tracks key metrics such as recovery, training intensity, and sleep patterns. This data allows athletes, coaches, and trainers to maintain a better balance in training, minimize injuries, and enhance overall performance. The Whoop Strap 3.0 continuously collects physiological data to provide users with detailed insights into their bodies, enabling them to avoid over-training and maximize their potential. In addition to its wearable technology, Whoop sells various apparel and accessories online, further supporting the fitness community.

Caviar

Seed Round in 2013
Caviar is an online food delivery service that allows consumers and businesses to conveniently order meals from local restaurants while providing real-time order tracking on a map. The platform features a visually appealing menu, enabling users to browse and select their preferred dishes before placing an order, which is typically delivered within one hour. Caviar also offers restaurants a straightforward delivery solution that requires no additional infrastructure, logistical, or operational costs, making it accessible for eateries to participate in the service. This approach empowers consumers to enjoy quality meals from top local establishments at competitive prices, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Marrone Bio Innovations

Series A in 2007
Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc., a biopesticide company, engages in the discovery, development, and marketing of natural products for weed, pest, and plant disease management. Its products include Regalia, a product that protects food and ornamental crops from fungal and bacterial diseases; GreenMatch EX, a post-emergence herbicide for burndown weed control for organic growers; and GreenMatch, a burndown herbicide that controls various annual and perennial weeds. The company also offers insecticides, herbicides, and products for controlling invasive zebra and quagga mussels in waterways. In addition, it finds naturally occurring microorganisms from habitats and develops them into products for controlling insects, weeds, nematodes, and plant diseases. The company provides its products online. Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. was founded in 2006 and is based in Davis, California.
Spot something off? Help us improve by flagging any incorrect or outdated information. Just email us at support@teaserclub.com. Your feedback is most welcome.