Participated · Seed · Mar 2021

Companion provides an AI-powered interactive device for dogs that uses onboard computer vision, machine learning, and positive-reinforcement techniques to engage pets for hours a day. The device includes a camera, onboard computer, AI software, and a treat dispenser and can react and “converse” with dogs using the pet parent’s voice. Companion’s service offers scheduled and on-demand sessions with games, behavioral programs, and training, and the app delivers bespoke videos and updates on dogs’ improving skills. The company also uses activity and posture monitoring to look for sudden or subtle shifts that may indicate pain, anxiety, or stress. Companion is based in San Francisco and was founded by John Honchariw. The company recently raised additional capital to expand operations and broaden its business reach, bringing total funding to over $14M. Companion, based in San Francisco and led by CEO John Honchariw, builds a device and coaching service that helps pet parents engage and train their dogs at home. The device uses computer vision combined with machine learning to precisely detect and analyze dogs’ movements and behaviors. Using positive reinforcement techniques and proprietary data and algorithms, Companion rewards dogs for desired behaviors such as sit, down, stay and recall. By training basic obedience skills the system aims to teach independence and confidence and offers engaging activities for dogs. The company is rolling out the device and coaching service to early adopters and intends to use the new funding to continue that rollout.

Led · Series C · Feb 2019

Back To The Roots is an Oakland, CA-based organic gardening company led by co-founders and co-CEOs Nikhil Arora and Alejandro Velez. The company offers small-space indoor grow kits and outdoor gardening products that include a line of organic, 100% USA-grown seeds, raised beds, and organic peat-free potting soil. Its products are distributed in over 10,000 retail locations nationwide, including The Home Depot, Lowe's, Target, Walmart, Cost Plus, Albertsons, HEB, Amazon, and Costco. Back To The Roots raised $15M in a Series D to fund its next phase of growth. Major investors in the round included S2G Ventures, Loft Growth Partners, Fenwick Brands, Echo Capital, and lawn & garden leaders Steve Hill and Jim Feinson. The company plans to use the funds to accelerate product innovation and support new distribution growth. Back to the Roots makes small-space gardening kits, live plants, aquaponic systems, mushroom grow kits, microgreen kits, and a retail line of 100% U.S.-grown seed packets. The company plans to scale national distribution and marketing for its seed packet line and expand its kit product line, including four new products launching at Walmart and Lowe's. Its seed program was piloted in 100 The Home Depot stores and will expand nationwide to The Home Depot, Albertsons, and H-E-B next spring. Back to the Roots emphasizes organic, non-GMO varieties and transparency about American farmers supplying its seeds. The company's products are sold in over 10,000 stores nationwide and online via BacktotheRoots.com and Amazon. Founded in 2009 and based in Oakland, California, the brand targets making gardening accessible to families and classrooms. Back to the Roots sells organic breakfast cereals and a line of indoor gardening kits, including the Water Garden aquaponic system, Mushroom Grow Kits, and windowsill herb and veggie planters. The company was co-founded in 2009 by Co-CEOs Alejandro Velez and Nikhil Arora and is based in Oakland, CA. Its products are distributed through national retailers such as Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond, Bloomingdale’s, Petco, Costco, The Home Depot, Target, Lowe’s and Whole Foods. The business focuses on both consumer food products and educational/home gardening solutions for schools and homes. The company intends to use newly raised funds to accelerate growth in the indoor gardening market. No revenue or user metrics were disclosed in the article. Back to the Roots is an organic food company founded in 2009 and based in Oakland, California. It sells products in over 14,000 stores worldwide, including Whole Foods Market, Target, Costco and Amazon. The company offers consumer food and indoor gardening products, including a Ready to Grow line with three Garden-in-a-Jar varieties, an Organic Self Watering Tomato Planter using ancient "olla" technology, and an expanded Organic Stoneground Flakes cereal line featuring Biodynamic® Cinnamon Clusters. This spring the company launched five additional products across its lines. Back to the Roots expanded a crowdfunding campaign on CircleUp into a $10M Series A funding round. The financing was led by Acre Venture Partners and included S2G Ventures and Red Sea Ventures. The company plans to use the funds to accelerate product development, scale distribution within retail and education sectors, and continue growing the team. Co-founded in 2009 by Nikhil Arora and Alejandro Velez, Back to the Roots commercializes breakfast cereals and organic breakfast toppers. The company currently sells its products in over 14,000 stores worldwide, including Whole Foods Market, Target, Costco, and Amazon. It plans to launch 10 new products in 2016 and has signed an exclusive national partnership with Sodexo to enter K-12 schools. The company intends to use the $5M seed financing to accelerate product development, expand distribution into retailers and schools, and build the team at its Oakland headquarters. The $5M round includes a $3M portion being raised through CircleUp via a 30-day crowdfunding campaign led by Agency of Trillions, with participation from previous investors Blake Mycoskie, John Foraker, and Nicolas Jammet. Prior to this, the company raised a $2M convertible note in June 2015.