Led · Equity · Jul 2018

Califia Farms produces a range of oat and almond milk products in addition to coffees, juices and non-dairy snacks. The company is positioned in the dairy-replacement market alongside startups using plant-based ingredients and other novel production methods. It plans to expand its oat-based product suite and launch additional new product lines. Califia also intends to increase production capacity, boost research and development, and pursue geographic expansion with the new funding. The company was founded in 2010. Management frames the opportunity as part of disruption in the more than $1 trillion global dairy and ready-to-drink coffee industry. Califia Farms is a Los Angeles–based plant-powered food and beverage company known for its distinctive curvy bottles and refrigerated nutmilks, non-dairy creamers and ready-to-drink coffees. The company markets products primarily in the Natural and Specialty channels and emphasizes sustainability, health and plant-based innovation. Califia recently launched a line of dairy-free probiotic yogurt drinks and says it will commercialize recent innovations across plant-based milks, non-dairy creamers and cold brew coffees. To support growth it plans to expand company-owned manufacturing capacity in Bakersfield, California and further develop go-to-market capabilities. The company is led by CEO and co-founder Greg Steltenpohl and presents itself as a fast-growing brand on a mission to promote plant-based consumption. Califia Farms is a Los Angeles, CA–based natural beverage and food company co-founded in 2010 by Sun Pacific and Greg Steltenpohl. The company produces plant-based beverages using a Bakersfield, California manufacturing plant that employs artisanal processes. Its product expansion includes Almondmilk Coffee Creamers and Agua Frescas, and it has added flavors such as Vanilla Coconut Almondmilk Horchata and Pumpkin Spice Latte. Califia leverages its manufacturing and distribution footprint to grow its categories and product lines. The company received a $50M minority investment to support deeper production and distribution capabilities, research and development, new hires, and sales and marketing.

Participated · Series A · Sep 2016

FoodChéri operates an online-only restaurant delivering fresh, chef-prepared meals that are chilled and ready to reheat upon delivery. It serves about 1,000 meals per day to busy professionals in Paris and nearby suburbs including Neuilly-sur-Seine, Levallois, Boulogne-Billancourt and Issy-les-Moulineaux. Orders can be placed on-demand or days in advance and are pooled for delivery since meals do not need to arrive hot, differentiating the model from services like UberEats or Deliveroo. The startup targets busy city dwellers and smaller companies seeking healthier staff lunch options and added lunch service in April 2016. FoodChéri says it runs a full‑stack operation from recipe creation and ingredient preparation through last‑mile delivery and has about a 40-person headcount. Planned initiatives include extending delivery areas within Greater Paris, hiring roughly a dozen additional staff, and further product development with potential international expansion thereafter.