GroundForce Capital

GroundForce Capital is a California-based private equity firm established in 2015 that specializes in early-stage investments in the consumer, retail, and agriculture sectors across the United States and Canada. The firm focuses on providing capital, strategic guidance, and operational expertise to innovative teams leading disruptive, plant-centric brands. GroundForce Capital's mission is to transform the global food system by investing in companies that prioritize improved nutrition and sustainable practices. The firm seeks to support visionary entrepreneurs who are committed to creating positive change in the food and beverage industry.

Kevin Boylan

Co-Founder and Managing Partner

T.K. PILLAN

Co-Founder and Partner

Past deals in Beverages

OWYN (Only What You Need)

Private Equity Round in 2022
OWYN™ (Only What You Need) plant-based protein drinks are made for people who wish to live a clean, inspired and transparent lifestyle. The products contain only real, simple, all-natural ingredients. OWYN currently offers its protein drinks in six flavors and recently expanded its line to include meal replacement shakes. For more information on OWYN.

Partake Brewing

Series B in 2022
Partake Brewing is the craft non-alcoholic beer brand that focuses on flavor, health, socializing, and inclusivity for people who choose not to drink alcohol whether as a need or increasingly as a lifestyle choice.

Flying Embers

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 manufactures 100% mountain water from the Australian Alps and served in sustainable cans. The company was founded by an advertising industry outcast and former liquor entrepreneur (Mike Cessario), a heavy metal bartender (Pat Cook), a manufacturing expert and spreadsheet slayer (JR Riggins), and the creator of a famous adult cartoon about a lovable demonic dog (Will Carsola). Recently, they added Science to their team, the startup flamethrower that helped launch Dollar Shave Club. Liquid Death was incorporated in 2017 and is based in Santa Monica, California.

Zico

Acquisition in 2021
Zico is a producer of coconut water beverages that focuses on delivering healthy and natural products to consumers. The company offers a range of fruit-flavored sweet coconut water beverages, all sourced from natural coconuts. Zico aims to provide a nutritious hydration alternative, emphasizing sustainability and impact in its operations.

Zico

Private Equity Round in 2021
Zico is a producer of coconut water beverages that focuses on delivering healthy and natural products to consumers. The company offers a range of fruit-flavored sweet coconut water beverages, all sourced from natural coconuts. Zico aims to provide a nutritious hydration alternative, emphasizing sustainability and impact in its operations.

Vive Organic

Series B in 2020
Vive Organic is an organic, function-focused line dedicated to providing the highest quality wellness shots. It has assessed hundreds of farms around the world, and exclusively source their ingredients from the top tier of organic farms. It never uses artificial colors or any type of sweeteners – not even stevia, honey, or sugar. They believe that nature alone should determine the color and flavor of its Wellness Shots. It was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Venice, California.

OWYN (Only What You Need)

Venture Round in 2020
OWYN™ (Only What You Need) plant-based protein drinks are made for people who wish to live a clean, inspired and transparent lifestyle. The products contain only real, simple, all-natural ingredients. OWYN currently offers its protein drinks in six flavors and recently expanded its line to include meal replacement shakes. For more information on OWYN.

Flying Embers

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 producing all-natural tortilla chips made from beans and rice. Founded in 2010, Beanfields offers seven distinct flavors of chips, positioning itself as a healthier alternative to traditional snacks made from corn, potato, and wheat. The company's mission centers on promoting wellness through its products, which are designed to be wholesome and satisfying. Beanfields sells its chips both online and through various retailers across the United States, Canada, and internationally, emphasizing the benefits of beans for families, farmers, and the environment.

Vive Organic

Venture Round in 2018
Vive Organic is an organic, function-focused line dedicated to providing the highest quality wellness shots. It has assessed hundreds of farms around the world, and exclusively source their ingredients from the top tier of organic farms. It never uses artificial colors or any type of sweeteners – not even stevia, honey, or sugar. They believe that nature alone should determine the color and flavor of its Wellness Shots. It was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Venice, California.

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 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.

Beanfields

Acquisition in 2017
Beanfields is a food company based in Los Angeles, California, that specializes in producing all-natural tortilla chips made from beans and rice. Founded in 2010, Beanfields offers seven distinct flavors of chips, positioning itself as a healthier alternative to traditional snacks made from corn, potato, and wheat. The company's mission centers on promoting wellness through its products, which are designed to be wholesome and satisfying. Beanfields sells its chips both online and through various retailers across the United States, Canada, and internationally, emphasizing the benefits of beans for families, farmers, and the environment.

Beanfields

Series A in 2017
Beanfields is a food company based in Los Angeles, California, that specializes in producing all-natural tortilla chips made from beans and rice. Founded in 2010, Beanfields offers seven distinct flavors of chips, positioning itself as a healthier alternative to traditional snacks made from corn, potato, and wheat. The company's mission centers on promoting wellness through its products, which are designed to be wholesome and satisfying. Beanfields sells its chips both online and through various retailers across the United States, Canada, and internationally, emphasizing the benefits of beans for families, farmers, and the environment.

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.

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.

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.

Perennial

Seed Round in 2016
Perennial produces dairy products using plants. It offers milk whipped latte to make specialty teas and coffees. Sara Bonham founded Perennial in February 2016. It has its headquarters in San Francisco in California.

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.