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, Investments

Kathryn Cicoletti

COO and Member of Leadership Team

Past deals in Beverages

Partake Brewing

Series B in 2022
Partake Brewing, established in Calgary, Canada in 2017, specializes in producing and distributing high-quality, non-alcoholic crafted beers. The company caters to individuals who choose not to consume alcohol due to personal preferences or health reasons, offering popular craft beer styles at an affordable price point. Partake Brewing's products are available through retail stores and its online platform, promoting inclusivity and socializing opportunities for consumers seeking non-alcoholic beverage options.

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 company that specializes in canned mountain water. It offers both still and sparkling varieties, enhanced with natural electrolytes and minerals, all packaged in infinitely recyclable aluminum cans. This innovative approach not only promotes a healthier alternative to sugary drinks and energy beverages but also addresses environmental concerns by discouraging the use of plastic bottles. The company is committed to sustainability, donating 10% of its profits to nonprofits dedicated to reducing plastic pollution and providing clean drinking water to underserved communities. Through its bold branding and humorous marketing, Liquid Death aims to compete with traditional beverage brands while promoting health and environmental responsibility.

ZICO

Acquisition in 2021
ZICO, established in 2004 and based in Seal Beach, California, is a beverage company specializing in the production and distribution of electrolyte-infused coconut water drinks. Their flagship product, ZICO Coconut Water, offers natural hydration fortified with five essential electrolytes, including potassium equivalent to that found in a banana. The company's mission is to provide consumers with a healthy, sustainable, and impactful hydration option by utilizing natural coconuts and offering fruit-flavored variants.

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.

ZICO

Private Equity Round in 2021
ZICO, established in 2004 and based in Seal Beach, California, is a beverage company specializing in the production and distribution of electrolyte-infused coconut water drinks. Their flagship product, ZICO Coconut Water, offers natural hydration fortified with five essential electrolytes, including potassium equivalent to that found in a banana. The company's mission is to provide consumers with a healthy, sustainable, and impactful hydration option by utilizing natural coconuts and offering fruit-flavored variants.

Vive Organic

Series B in 2020
Vive Organic, Inc. is a company based in Venice, California, that specializes in producing cold-pressed organic wellness shots. Founded in 2015, it focuses on delivering high-quality, ready-to-drink beverages made from organic and non-GMO herbs, carefully sourced from top-tier farms worldwide. Vive Organic emphasizes a commitment to natural ingredients, avoiding artificial colors and sweeteners, and allowing nature to define the flavors and colors of its products. The company aims to support consumers' health with function-focused beverages that promote rejuvenation and well-being, and it distributes its products through various retail outlets as well as online.

Thistle

Series A in 2020
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.

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.

Vive Organic

Venture Round in 2018
Vive Organic, Inc. is a company based in Venice, California, that specializes in producing cold-pressed organic wellness shots. Founded in 2015, it focuses on delivering high-quality, ready-to-drink beverages made from organic and non-GMO herbs, carefully sourced from top-tier farms worldwide. Vive Organic emphasizes a commitment to natural ingredients, avoiding artificial colors and sweeteners, and allowing nature to define the flavors and colors of its products. The company aims to support consumers' health with function-focused beverages that promote rejuvenation and well-being, and it distributes its products through various retail outlets as well as online.

Rebbl

Venture Round in 2018
Rebbl Inc. is a California-based company founded in 2011 that specializes in the production and sale of plant-based beverages, particularly elixirs and tonics. The company focuses on crafting high-quality super herb drinks made from a variety of natural ingredients, including roots, extracts, berries, bark, and leaves. Rebbl's product line includes unique flavors such as dark chocolate, vanilla, and salted caramel, designed to provide nourishment and promote wellness. By utilizing revered traditional wellness plants and adaptogens, Rebbl aims to help consumers maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle. The company's products are available through various retail outlets.

Rebbl

Series D in 2016
Rebbl Inc. is a California-based company founded in 2011 that specializes in the production and sale of plant-based beverages, particularly elixirs and tonics. The company focuses on crafting high-quality super herb drinks made from a variety of natural ingredients, including roots, extracts, berries, bark, and leaves. Rebbl's product line includes unique flavors such as dark chocolate, vanilla, and salted caramel, designed to provide nourishment and promote wellness. By utilizing revered traditional wellness plants and adaptogens, Rebbl aims to help consumers maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle. The company's products are available through various retail outlets.

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.

Rebbl

Seed Round in 2016
Rebbl Inc. is a California-based company founded in 2011 that specializes in the production and sale of plant-based beverages, particularly elixirs and tonics. The company focuses on crafting high-quality super herb drinks made from a variety of natural ingredients, including roots, extracts, berries, bark, and leaves. Rebbl's product line includes unique flavors such as dark chocolate, vanilla, and salted caramel, designed to provide nourishment and promote wellness. By utilizing revered traditional wellness plants and adaptogens, Rebbl aims to help consumers maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle. The company's products are available through various retail outlets.
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