Participated · Series B · Nov 2019

Flying Embers is a beverage brand known for hard kombuchas and botanical-spiked hard seltzers, launched in 2017. Its portfolio includes flavors such as watermelon basil, cucumber juniper, black cherry, and high-ABV hard kombuchas, plus recently introduced canned wine spritzers. The company emphasizes organic ingredients, low/no sugar formulations, probiotics and other functional additives aimed at health-conscious consumers. In 2021 it released 28 new product innovations and expanded into botanical and hops-spiked varieties to appeal to beer- and cocktail-inclined drinkers. Flying Embers plans to scale its brand and national footprint, investing in marketing to educate new consumers about the hard kombucha category. It will also dedicate funds to R&D and new product development while leveraging in-house brewing, microbiology and manufacturing capabilities.

Participated · Series C · Jul 2019

4th & Heart is a Marina del Rey, CA-based maker of Ayurvedic ghee butter and related kitchen essentials, including flavored spreads and oils. Its products are sold nationwide in over 12,000 stores, including Whole Foods, Kroger, Albertsons, Publix, Wegmans, Walmart, and on Amazon in the U.S. The company positions its ghee products as kitchen staples and continues to expand retail distribution. 4th & Heart received a minority investment from Aterian, which company leadership says will fuel growth in current and emerging markets. Aterian invested approximately $0.2 million in cash and approximately 145,000 shares of Aterian common stock as part of the transaction. No other terms of the transaction were disclosed. 4th & Heart is built around grass-fed ghee and offers a portfolio of flavored ghee butter spreads, pourable oils, sprays and chocolate spreads. Founded in 2015 and based in Venice, CA, the company positions itself as the North American ghee category leader. It currently carries 21 SKUs and is available in over 10,000 stores nationwide including Amazon, Whole Foods, Kroger, Sprouts and Gelson’s. The brand is expanding into mass retail with a Target roll-out (SuperTarget and PFresh) and is adding new items at existing retailers such as Sprouts and Whole Foods. Product roadmap includes the upcoming WOKE line of grass-fed collagen ghee protein and energy bars. Management says it will use new capital to bolster innovation and distribution to grow household penetration and reach. Fourth & Heart is a Los Angeles-based premium artisanal ghee company led by founder and CEO Raquel Tavares Gunsagar. It produces flavored, grass-fed, pasture-raised, glyphosate-free ghee in gourmet varieties including White Truffle Salt, Himalayan Pink Salt, California Garlic, Madagascar Vanilla Bean and Original Recipe. The brand is sold in over 3,500 stores nationwide — including Whole Foods Market, Kroger and Sprouts — and is available online at Thrive Market and Amazon. The company planned to launch an e-commerce section on FourthandHeart.com and aimed to be in 6,000 stores by the end of the year. Fourth & Heart closed a $1M Series A on the CircleUp platform from an undisclosed individual. The company intends to use the funds to develop new innovative food products.

Participated · Series A · Nov 2018

Vive Organic produces doctor-crafted, cold-pressed 2oz ready-to-drink wellness shots formulated to support immune health. The company works with a team of holistic medicine doctors on formulations and emphasizes sourcing high-quality ginger, turmeric, elderberry and other ingredients. Its beverages are organic, non-GMO, gluten-free and vegan, and the brand offers eight functional formulations including Immunity Boost and Wellness Rescue. Vive expanded from natural channels into 8,000 retail doors across natural, conventional, mass and drugstore accounts, including Whole Foods, Sprouts, Safeway, Wegman’s, Target and CVS. The brand launched on Amazon and built a direct-to-consumer platform with subscriptions in February 2020; e-commerce sales have increased 52x recently and production has increased fivefold. Since founding in 2015 the company reports an average 400% year-over-year growth and plans to use new capital to expand its digital footprint, foster its innovation pipeline, and make products more accessible nationwide. Vive Organic produces cold-pressed, plant-powered 2oz ready-to-drink wellness shots made from organic and non-GMO ingredients and formulated by a team of doctors. The brand offers four functional formulations including Immunity Boost, Coconut Probiotics, Wellness Rescue and Antioxidant Detox. Vive launched at independent natural grocers in Los Angeles in April 2016 and grew its monthly revenue totals by approximately 2,000 percent in the first year. The company plans to use new funding to expand national distribution in both natural and conventional grocery stores and other retailers. It will also hire talent and further build world-class operations, finance and marketing teams, having recently added senior sales and business development executives. Vive Organic was founded in December 2015 and is based in Venice, California.

Participated · Series B · Jun 2017

Fishpeople Seafood sells sustainably sourced seafood products including Seafood Kits, fillets and soups and a "for chefs" foodservice line. The company emphasizes full traceability and works with small-scale fishermen to source abundant species while supporting coastal communities and ocean habitats. Fishpeople’s consumer products are available in Whole Foods, Safeway/Albertsons, club stores, and more than 5,000 natural and conventional grocers nationwide, with additional retail growth planned. The brand recently launched Wildly Delicious Seafood Kits, which won the Seafood Excellence Award for Best New Retail Product at Seafood Expo North America. Future plans cited in the article include expanding retail and foodservice distribution, fueling product innovation, driving brand awareness, and meeting consumer demand for transparently sourced seafood. Fishpeople was founded in Portland, Oregon in 2012 and operates as a certified B Corporation focusing on people, planet and profit in its decisions.

Participated · Series A · Apr 2017

Nutriati is an ingredient technology company led by CEO Michael Todd that researches, develops and commercializes plant-based ingredients including protein, flour and oil. Its ingredients are low in saturated fat, cholesterol-free and designed to function as heart-healthy meat substitutes. They can replace eggs, provide oil and water binding capabilities and stabilize liquid suspensions. Ingredient applications include plant-based meats, non-dairy products (cheese, yogurt, ice cream, milk) and baked/snack goods such as tortillas, pretzels, puffs, gluten-free pasta, pizza crust and bread. In September 2019 the company raised $12.7M in a Series C and intends to use the proceeds to fund R&D, increase production and add customers. The company is based in Richmond, Illinois. Nutriati develops a process to turn Canadian chickpeas into a protein powder usable as a substitute for eggs, wheat, soy and milk in bars, shakes, brownies and similar products. The company was founded in 2013 by Richard Kelly (CEO) and Michael Spinelli (CTO) and is based in the Virginia Biotechnology Research Park in downtown Richmond. Nutriati intends to use the newly raised funds to continue R&D and to commercialize its products. The product targets formulators and manufacturers seeking plant-based functional protein that can replace multiple allergenic or animal-derived ingredients. The article does not report revenue, users, or other operating metrics. Management has augmented its board in conjunction with the financing to support commercialization efforts.