GroundForce Capital

GroundForce Capital is a growth equity firm based in San Francisco, established in 2015. The firm focuses on early-stage investments in the consumer food and beverage sectors, targeting companies that aim to enhance both human health and environmental sustainability. GroundForce Capital provides not only capital but also strategic guidance and operational expertise to support visionary teams leading innovative brands. As a Registered Investment Adviser, the firm is committed to fostering businesses that contribute to a healthier and more sustainable global food system.

George Birman

Principal, Investments

Kathryn Cicoletti

COO

Past deals in Nutrition

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.

Rae Wellness

Series A in 2021
Rae Wellness is a company that develops and produces a variety of vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO supplements aimed at enhancing women's health and well-being. Founded in 2019 and based in Minnesota, the company offers a range of products, including capsules, powders, and tinctures, all designed without added sugars, colors, or artificial preservatives. Rae Wellness emphasizes nourishing formulations that support beauty, health, and hormonal balance, making its products accessible for online retail.

Rae Wellness

Series A in 2021
Rae Wellness is a company that develops and produces a variety of vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO supplements aimed at enhancing women's health and well-being. Founded in 2019 and based in Minnesota, the company offers a range of products, including capsules, powders, and tinctures, all designed without added sugars, colors, or artificial preservatives. Rae Wellness emphasizes nourishing formulations that support beauty, health, and hormonal balance, making its products accessible for online retail.

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.

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 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.

Zero Egg

Series A in 2020
Zero Egg Ltd, founded in 2018 and based in Ashdod, Israel, is a food-tech company specializing in the development of a plant-based egg alternative. This innovative product mimics the taste, appearance, and functionality of real eggs, making it suitable for a variety of culinary applications, including omelets, baked goods, pasta, and sauces. By providing a nutritious and versatile substitute, Zero Egg aims to cater to the growing demand for plant-based food options.

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.

Your Super

Series B in 2020
Your Superfoods, Inc. is a company that specializes in producing and selling organic nutritional food and mixes. Founded in 2015 and based in Venice, California, the company aims to inspire individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles through its range of organic superfood products. Your Super distributes its offerings primarily online, as well as through wholesale shops, making its health-focused products accessible to a broad audience.

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.

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.

Beanfields

Series B in 2019
Beanfields is a food company based in Los Angeles, California, that specializes in manufacturing and selling bean and rice tortilla chips. Founded in 2010, Beanfields offers a range of all-natural snacks in seven flavors, positioning itself as a healthier alternative to traditional snacks made from corn, potato, and wheat. The company is committed to sustainability and nutrition, producing gluten-free, vegan, and allergy-friendly products that contain four grams of protein and four grams of fiber per serving. Beanfields aims to promote healthier eating habits while benefiting families, farmers, and the environment. Its products are available online and through various retailers in the United States, Canada, and internationally.

Vive Organic

Series A 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.

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.

Oh My Green

Seed Round in 2018
Ohmygreen is a health food company that delivers food directly to a company’s doors. Offering healthy office snacks including vegan, gluten-free, organic and non-GMO options, the company aims to empower the workplace and lead people to make healthier, smarter choices across nutrition, exercise, rest, detox and overall wellbeing. Ohmygreen offers a one stop shopping experience that incorporates budget management, office stocking and food delivery. There are three services to choose from when signing up: Zen, Bliss or Nirvana. Each of these services is data driven and food focused while every service is customized to meet the needs of the client. The company's mission is to empower people to live healthy and blissful lives. Founder Michael Heinrich was inspired in his youth in Berlin, Germany where his Grandmother cultivated an organic garden and served hearty home-cooked meals. As a medical doctor she would emphasize that if you want to stay healthy eat directly from the garden. Michael took this to heart and started Oh My Green.

Beyond Meat

Series G in 2017
Beyond Meat, Inc. is a food company that specializes in the production and sale of plant-based meat alternatives, providing consumers with options that mimic the taste and texture of traditional animal-based products. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in El Segundo, California, the company offers a diverse range of products, including burgers, sausages, ground beef, jerky, meatballs, and chicken. Beyond Meat's offerings are designed to address key global challenges such as human health, climate change, resource constraints, and animal welfare. The products are made using simple, non-GMO ingredients and provide comparable or superior protein levels to animal meat, while being free from cholesterol, antibiotics, and hormones. The company distributes its products through various channels, including grocery stores, mass merchandisers, restaurants, and foodservice outlets, both domestically and internationally. Beyond Meat was previously known as Savage River, Inc. before rebranding in September 2018.

Farmer's Fridge

Series B in 2017
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.

Beanfields

Acquisition in 2017
Beanfields is a food company based in Los Angeles, California, that specializes in manufacturing and selling bean and rice tortilla chips. Founded in 2010, Beanfields offers a range of all-natural snacks in seven flavors, positioning itself as a healthier alternative to traditional snacks made from corn, potato, and wheat. The company is committed to sustainability and nutrition, producing gluten-free, vegan, and allergy-friendly products that contain four grams of protein and four grams of fiber per serving. Beanfields aims to promote healthier eating habits while benefiting families, farmers, and the environment. Its products are available online and through various retailers in the United States, Canada, and internationally.

Nutriati

Series A in 2017
Nutriati, Inc. is a food technology company based in Richmond, Virginia, established in 2013. The company specializes in researching, developing, producing, and commercializing innovative plant-based food ingredients, notably gluten-free chickpea protein and chickpea flour. Nutriati aims to create nutritious food products that appeal to a wide range of consumer tastes while promoting healthier ingredients in the food supply. The company is committed to making a positive social impact and improving global health and well-being through its offerings.

Beanfields

Series A in 2017
Beanfields is a food company based in Los Angeles, California, that specializes in manufacturing and selling bean and rice tortilla chips. Founded in 2010, Beanfields offers a range of all-natural snacks in seven flavors, positioning itself as a healthier alternative to traditional snacks made from corn, potato, and wheat. The company is committed to sustainability and nutrition, producing gluten-free, vegan, and allergy-friendly products that contain four grams of protein and four grams of fiber per serving. Beanfields aims to promote healthier eating habits while benefiting families, farmers, and the environment. Its products are available online and through various retailers in the United States, Canada, and internationally.

Veggie Grill

Series E in 2016
Veggie Grill, Inc. operates a chain of vegetarian restaurants across California, Oregon, Washington, and Illinois, offering a diverse menu that includes salads, sandwiches, soups, and desserts made from plant-based ingredients. Founded in 2005 and based in Los Angeles, the company focuses on providing craveable, comforting meals prepared with veggie-centric proteins in a fast-casual setting. In addition to its dining options, Veggie Grill also offers catering services for various events such as office lunches and parties, catering to the growing demand for convenient, healthier dining choices.

Beyond Meat

Series F in 2016
Beyond Meat, Inc. is a food company that specializes in the production and sale of plant-based meat alternatives, providing consumers with options that mimic the taste and texture of traditional animal-based products. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in El Segundo, California, the company offers a diverse range of products, including burgers, sausages, ground beef, jerky, meatballs, and chicken. Beyond Meat's offerings are designed to address key global challenges such as human health, climate change, resource constraints, and animal welfare. The products are made using simple, non-GMO ingredients and provide comparable or superior protein levels to animal meat, while being free from cholesterol, antibiotics, and hormones. The company distributes its products through various channels, including grocery stores, mass merchandisers, restaurants, and foodservice outlets, both domestically and internationally. Beyond Meat was previously known as Savage River, Inc. before rebranding in September 2018.

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.

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 produces food ingredients to impact the nutritional values of food products. The company is based in San Francisco, California.
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