GroundForce Capital

GroundForce Capital is an investment management organization founded in 2015 and headquartered in San Francisco, United States. The firm specializes in growth equity investments, focusing on high-potential companies in the consumer food and beverages sectors. GroundForce Capital aims to support businesses that promote human and environmental health and longevity. As a Registered Investment Adviser, it strategically seeks out opportunities that align with its mission to enhance the well-being of individuals and the planet.

George Birman

Principal

Kathryn Cicoletti

COO and Member of Leadership Team

Mark Rampolla

Co-Founder and Managing Partner

42 past transactions

The Coconut Collaborative

Series B in 2024
The Coconut Collaborative provides yogurt, creams, custards, desserts, and kids' ice cream products. An online inquiry form is available on the company's website.

The Collaborative

Series B in 2024
The Collaborative is the fastest growing premium plant-based yogurt and dessert brand.

Bobbie

Series C in 2023
Bobbie is a baby formula delivery startup that sells direct-to-consumer and offers a subscription service to parents across the US. It exists to build a parenting culture of confidence, not a comparison, where every parent is supported in the feeding choice that is right for them and their baby. Bobbie's formulation complies with all FDA regulations, is created with pasture-raised milk from Organic Valley farms, and is the only infant formula to receive the Clean Label Project's Purity Award as well as Pesticide Free Certification.

Only What You Need

Private Equity Round in 2022
Only What You Need, Inc., established in 2016 and headquartered in Fairfield, New Jersey, specializes in the production and distribution of plant-based nutrition products. The company offers a range of products, including protein drinks, meal replacement shakes, protein powders, and dairy-free milk, all made with real, simple, and all-natural ingredients. These products are sold through both retail stores and online channels, catering to consumers seeking a clean and transparent lifestyle.

Partake Brewing

Series B in 2022
Partake Brewing, founded in 2017 and based in Calgary, Canada, specializes in producing and selling non-alcoholic crafted beer. The company focuses on delivering a range of flavorful beer styles designed for individuals who either cannot or choose not to consume alcohol, catering to a growing lifestyle choice. Partake Brewing's products are available through retail outlets and an online platform, allowing consumers to enjoy the social aspects of beer without the effects of alcohol. By emphasizing flavor and inclusivity, the brand aims to provide an enjoyable alternative for those seeking a non-alcoholic option in social settings.

Flying Embers Hard Kombucha

Series C in 2022
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.

Liquid Death

Series C in 2022
Liquid Death is a rapidly growing beverage brand that specializes in canned mountain water, offering both still and sparkling options enriched with natural electrolytes and minerals. The company distinguishes itself by packaging its products in infinitely recyclable aluminum tallboy cans, appealing to health-conscious consumers while promoting sustainability. Liquid Death aims to compete with the marketing strategies of traditional unhealthy beverage brands by adopting a bold and humorous branding approach. Additionally, the company commits 10% of its profits from each can sold to nonprofits dedicated to reducing plastic pollution and providing clean drinking water to those in need, further emphasizing its dedication to environmental and social responsibility.

Miyoko’s Kitchen

Series C in 2021
Miyoko’s Kitchen is a food production company that produces artisan cultured Vegan cheese and butter. Selling in thousands of stores across the country, the Miyoko's brand has garnered loyalty, excitement, and passion since 2014..

Rae Wellness

Series A in 2021
Rae Wellness is a woman-owned company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that specializes in developing and producing vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free supplements aimed at enhancing beauty, health, and hormonal balance. Founded in 2019, the company offers a diverse range of products, including capsules, powders, and tinctures, designed to support women's well-being. Rae Wellness emphasizes the use of nourishing ingredients, ensuring that its supplements contain no added sugars, colors, or artificial preservatives. The products are available for purchase online, making them accessible to a broad audience.

Rae Wellness

Series A in 2021
Rae Wellness is a woman-owned company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that specializes in developing and producing vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free supplements aimed at enhancing beauty, health, and hormonal balance. Founded in 2019, the company offers a diverse range of products, including capsules, powders, and tinctures, designed to support women's well-being. Rae Wellness emphasizes the use of nourishing ingredients, ensuring that its supplements contain no added sugars, colors, or artificial preservatives. The products are available for purchase online, making them accessible to a broad audience.

ZICO

Acquisition in 2021
ZICO is a beverage company known for its ZICO Coconut Water, an electrolyte-infused drink designed to provide hydration. Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Seal Beach, California, ZICO offers a range of fruit-flavored coconut water products, each containing five electrolytes, including potassium comparable to that found in bananas. The company aims to deliver healthy and natural hydration alternatives while maintaining a commitment to sustainability and impact.

Thistle

Series B in 2021
Thistle Health Inc. is a San Francisco-based company that specializes in preparing and delivering ready-to-eat, plant-forward meals, snacks, and cold-pressed juices. Founded in 2013, Thistle focuses on providing nutritious, organic, and locally-sourced food options to enhance convenience and accessibility for consumers. The company aims to address common barriers to healthy eating, such as lack of time, high costs, and inadequate local options, thereby empowering customers to make better dietary choices for themselves, their families, and the environment.

ZICO

Private Equity Round in 2021
ZICO is a beverage company known for its ZICO Coconut Water, an electrolyte-infused drink designed to provide hydration. Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Seal Beach, California, ZICO offers a range of fruit-flavored coconut water products, each containing five electrolytes, including potassium comparable to that found in bananas. The company aims to deliver healthy and natural hydration alternatives while maintaining a commitment to sustainability and impact.

Zero Egg

Series A in 2020
Zero Egg Ltd, founded in 2018 and based in Ashdod, Israel, is a food-tech company that specializes in developing a nutritious plant-based egg alternative. This product is designed to closely resemble the taste, appearance, and functionality of traditional eggs, allowing it to be used in a variety of recipes, including omelets, baked goods, pasta, mayonnaise, and sauces. Zero Egg aims to provide a sustainable, animal-friendly, and healthier option for consumers, promoting its plant-based egg as a viable everyday choice that can effectively replace animal-based eggs in the diet.

Vive Organic

Series B in 2020
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.

The Collaborative

Series A in 2020
The Collaborative is the fastest growing premium plant-based yogurt and dessert brand.

Your Super

Series B in 2020
Your Super is a health and wellness brand based in Venice, California, established in 2015 and recognized as a certified B-Corp. The company specializes in offering organic superfood and protein mixes, as well as bars, that contain a blend of 5-6 naturally dried superfoods. These products are designed to enhance digestion, detoxification, energy levels, well-being, beauty, and fitness. Your Super emphasizes sustainability, ensuring that every ingredient is grown, harvested, tested by a third party, and packaged using eco-friendly practices. All products are certified organic, Non-GMO, Glyphosate-Free, plant-based, and gluten-free, making them suitable for a wide range of dietary preferences. Through its direct-to-consumer model, Your Super aims to provide customers with convenient and nutritious options to improve their health.

Thistle

Series A in 2020
Thistle Health Inc. is a San Francisco-based company that specializes in preparing and delivering ready-to-eat, plant-forward meals, snacks, and cold-pressed juices. Founded in 2013, Thistle focuses on providing nutritious, organic, and locally-sourced food options to enhance convenience and accessibility for consumers. The company aims to address common barriers to healthy eating, such as lack of time, high costs, and inadequate local options, thereby empowering customers to make better dietary choices for themselves, their families, and the environment.

Only What You Need

Venture Round in 2020
Only What You Need, Inc., established in 2016 and headquartered in Fairfield, New Jersey, specializes in the production and distribution of plant-based nutrition products. The company offers a range of products, including protein drinks, meal replacement shakes, protein powders, and dairy-free milk, all made with real, simple, and all-natural ingredients. These products are sold through both retail stores and online channels, catering to consumers seeking a clean and transparent lifestyle.

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.

Beanfields

Series B in 2019
Beanfields is a food company based in Los Angeles, California, that specializes in creating rice and bean-based snacks. Founded in 2010, Beanfields offers a range of gluten-free, vegan, and allergy-friendly chips available in seven distinctive flavors. The company focuses on providing a nutritious alternative to traditional snacks made from corn, potato, and wheat. Each serving of their chips contains four grams of protein and four grams of fiber, allowing consumers to enjoy a tasty snack while maintaining their health. Beanfields is committed to promoting healthier eating habits and supporting sustainable practices that benefit families, farmers, and the environment.

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.

Garten

Seed Round in 2018
Garten, Inc. is a health food company based in San Mateo, California, that specializes in delivering vegan, gluten-free, organic, and non-GMO food products to businesses and individuals, primarily in Silicon Valley. Founded in 2014 and originally named Oh My Green, the company rebranded in June 2020. Garten provides a variety of healthy office snacks, beverages, dairy products, and fresh produce, along with equipment to support its offerings. Additionally, it features a wellness application that promotes employee well-being across various dimensions, including nutrition, exercise, and emotional health. Garten's services are tailored to meet the specific needs of clients and include options for budget management and office stocking. The company's mission is to empower individuals to make healthier choices and lead fulfilling lives. Founder Michael Heinrich's passion for health and nutrition stems from his childhood experiences in Berlin, where his grandmother cultivated an organic garden and emphasized the importance of eating fresh, wholesome food.

Rebbl

Venture Round in 2018
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.

Beyond Meat

Series G in 2017
Beyond Meat, Inc. is a food company that specializes in manufacturing, marketing, and selling plant-based meat products both in the United States and internationally. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in El Segundo, California, the company offers a diverse range of products, including burgers, sausages, ground beef, and chicken, designed to replicate the taste and texture of traditional animal-based meats while providing nutritional and environmental benefits. Beyond Meat aims to address pressing global challenges such as human health, climate change, resource constraints, and animal welfare by utilizing innovative, non-GMO ingredients. Its products are distributed through various channels, including grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, convenience stores, and foodservice outlets, allowing consumers to enjoy plant-based options without compromising on flavor or quality.

Square Roots Urban Growers

Seed Round in 2017
Square Roots Urban Growers, Inc. is a Brooklyn-based farming accelerator established in 2016 that focuses on local food production and entrepreneurship. The company operates a yearlong training program for selected entrepreneurs, teaching them urban farming techniques within controlled-climate container farms. It offers three key programs: an urban farming campus where participants grow food like basil, chives, and mint; a resident entrepreneur program featuring skill-based training and professional development; and a community network that connects local business leaders to foster entrepreneurial growth. Square Roots Urban Growers supplies its produce through partnerships with restaurants and retail outlets, contributing to the availability of fresh food in urban environments year-round.

Farmer's Fridge

Series B in 2017
Farmer’s Fridge operates automated smart fridges that provide a variety of fresh meals, including salads, bowls, and snacks. Founded in 2013 and based in Chicago, Illinois, the company aims to make healthy eating accessible and convenient. Its fridges are equipped with technology that allows for real-time demand monitoring, ensuring that customers receive fresh, chef-curated meals quickly. Additionally, unsold items from the fridges are donated to local food pantries, supporting community members in need with responsibly sourced nutrition. This approach reflects the founder's commitment to addressing the lack of healthy, affordable food options for individuals on the go.

Nutriati

Series A in 2017
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.

Beanfields

Acquisition in 2017
Beanfields is a food company based in Los Angeles, California, that specializes in creating rice and bean-based snacks. Founded in 2010, Beanfields offers a range of gluten-free, vegan, and allergy-friendly chips available in seven distinctive flavors. The company focuses on providing a nutritious alternative to traditional snacks made from corn, potato, and wheat. Each serving of their chips contains four grams of protein and four grams of fiber, allowing consumers to enjoy a tasty snack while maintaining their health. Beanfields is committed to promoting healthier eating habits and supporting sustainable practices that benefit families, farmers, and the environment.

Beanfields

Series A in 2017
Beanfields is a food company based in Los Angeles, California, that specializes in creating rice and bean-based snacks. Founded in 2010, Beanfields offers a range of gluten-free, vegan, and allergy-friendly chips available in seven distinctive flavors. The company focuses on providing a nutritious alternative to traditional snacks made from corn, potato, and wheat. Each serving of their chips contains four grams of protein and four grams of fiber, allowing consumers to enjoy a tasty snack while maintaining their health. Beanfields is committed to promoting healthier eating habits and supporting sustainable practices that benefit families, farmers, and the environment.

Apeel Sciences

Series B in 2016
Apeel Sciences produces products including avocados, apples, mangos, cucumbers, and citrus protected by plants. They support the plant’s natural ability to protect against environmental stress by maintaining moisture and reducing oxidation.

Rebbl

Series D in 2016
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.

Veggie Grill

Series E in 2016
Veggie Grill, Inc. operates a chain of vegetarian restaurants primarily located in California, Oregon, Washington, and Illinois. Established in 2005 and based in Los Angeles, the company focuses on offering a diverse menu that includes hot sandwiches, burgers, entrée salads, homestyle plates, daily soups, and housemade desserts, all prepared with plant-based ingredients. In addition to its restaurant services, Veggie Grill also provides catering for office lunches, parties, and picnics. The brand is recognized for its commitment to delivering craveable and comforting meals in a fast-casual dining environment, appealing to customers seeking wholesome and delicious plant-based options.

Beyond Meat

Series F in 2016
Beyond Meat, Inc. is a food company that specializes in manufacturing, marketing, and selling plant-based meat products both in the United States and internationally. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in El Segundo, California, the company offers a diverse range of products, including burgers, sausages, ground beef, and chicken, designed to replicate the taste and texture of traditional animal-based meats while providing nutritional and environmental benefits. Beyond Meat aims to address pressing global challenges such as human health, climate change, resource constraints, and animal welfare by utilizing innovative, non-GMO ingredients. Its products are distributed through various channels, including grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, convenience stores, and foodservice outlets, allowing consumers to enjoy plant-based options without compromising on flavor or quality.

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.

Solazyme

Post in 2016
Solazyme is a synthetic biology company that specializes in converting algal biomass into biofuels. Solazyme not only creates biofuels for the the transportation industry, but is experimenting with ways to tailor its products for the cosmetic and food industries.

Perennial

Seed Round in 2016
At Perennial, we believe in living healthier and thriving at any age. Our mission is to champion and enhance the lives of those who are Greater than 50 – by harnessing the power and potential of plant-based ingredients and developing solutions tailor-made for longevity in health. Through relentless innovation, we strive to reimagine adult nutrition across the globe and prepare our world for a generation of people redefining what it means to be Greater than 50.

Rebbl

Seed Round in 2016
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.

Thrive Market

Series A in 2015
Thrive Market, Inc. is a membership-based online shopping platform founded in 2014 and based in Culver City, California. The company aims to make healthy living accessible and affordable by providing a wide range of high-quality, organic, and non-GMO products at wholesale prices. Thrive Market offers over 5,000 items across various categories, including food, health, beauty, home, and pet supplies, allowing customers to shop according to their dietary preferences and lifestyles. The platform serves both residential and commercial customers throughout the United States. In addition to its core mission, Thrive Market matches every paid membership with a free membership for someone in need, and has initiated programs like Thrive Gives, which raises funds to support food access and environmental sustainability initiatives.

Hail Merry

Series A in 2015
Hail Merry LLC is a manufacturer and retailer of raw, vegan, and gluten-free snack products, offering a diverse range that includes tarts, macaroons, grawnola, nuts, and seeds. Founded in 2006 and based in Dallas, Texas, the company promotes healthy snacking through consciously sourced, pure ingredients that are non-GMO, kosher certified, and free from grains and dairy. Hail Merry's snacks are crafted using low-temperature dehydration methods, which preserve the integrity of their ingredients and enhance flavor while providing a fresh taste experience. The products are available in retail stores across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, as well as through online sales. The company is aligned with the raw foods movement, emphasizing the benefits of plant-based dietary fats, particularly from raw nuts and organic virgin coconut oil.

Treasure8

Seed Round in 2014
Treasure8 is a regenerative food systems company based in San Francisco, California, focused on transforming the global food waste ecosystem to address food insecurity. Co-founded by Timothy Childs, the company develops and commercializes patented technologies that convert excess and imperfect produce into nutritious, long-lasting food products and ingredients. Additionally, Treasure8 incubates patent-pending technologies that repurpose production by-products, such as juicing leftovers, into viable food items. The company also implements technologies to create agricultural inputs and energy from food waste. With a multi-faceted approach, Treasure8 operates across various business verticals, including the development of its own food brands, sales and licensing of its technologies, and the planned production of new ingredients for both the food and nutraceutical markets.
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