CircleUp
595 Market St, San Francisco, CA, 94105, United States
Overview
CircleUp is an investment platform that provides capital and resources to innovative, early-stage consumer brands with a modern, scalable approach to private markets. CircleUp is comprised of internally-managed equity funds, a credit program, and an Insights and Connections team - all powered by Helio, CircleUp's proprietary machine learning platform. Helio collects and analyzes billions of data points to evaluates 1.3 million consumer businesses and predict future business success.
- Total investments
- 22
- Lead investments
- 11
- Investments · 12mo
- 0
- Active investors
- 8
Sector focus
- Analytics
- Financial Services
- FinTech
- Venture Capital
Investment portfolio
- Partake Foods
Participated · Series B · Oct 2022
Partake Foods, founded in 2016, produces allergy-friendly snacks and mixes (cookies in multiple flavors, baking mixes, and pancake and waffle mixes) and operates with products made in a top-nine allergen-free facility. Allergy-friendliness is core to the brand and its product testing and manufacturing practices. Distribution expanded from about 5,000 stores at the end of 2021 to roughly 9,000 stores, including Target, Whole Foods, Walmart, and Kroger, and the products also appear on American Airlines flights and in certain offices. Revenue grew 200% between 2020 and 2021 and 100% between 2021 and 2022; headcount rose from one employee in 2020 to 20 in 2022. The company has raised $19 million to date and used the new capital to support hiring, retail sales leadership, operations, marketing, and product innovation. Planned initiatives include further distribution expansion, seasonal flavors, a new product category, partnerships with national brands, more hiring, and expanding channels beyond the grocery aisle.
- Partake Brewing
Participated · Series B · Mar 2022
Partake Brewing, founded in 2017 by Ted Fleming and based in Calgary, Alberta, brews non-alcoholic craft beers for consumers seeking lower-calorie options. Its portfolio includes PALE, IPA, BLONDE, RED, DARK (U.S.), STOUT (Canada), PEACH GOSE and seasonal editions, with cans ranging from 10–30 calories and using vegan, all-natural ingredients. The brand has received international recognition, including a Gold Medal at the World Beer Awards for Best Non-Alcoholic Beer. Partake plans to use new funding to expand U.S. and Canadian retail presence, broaden distribution across key channels, extend regional teams and leadership, and create limited-release products. The company works with Export Development Canada (EDC) to support scaling and international expansion. The article cites rapid consumer adoption since the brand’s 2017 debut and projects category growth (25% CAGR) to a $5B market by 2025.
- Sanzo
Led · Series A · Feb 2022
Sanzo produces Asian-inspired, clean-label sparkling waters made with real fruit and no added sugar or artificial flavors, with SKUs including Lychee, Calamansi Lime, Alphonso Mango and Yuzu Ginger. Launched in 2019 by Sandro Roco, the brand positions itself to bridge beloved Asian flavors and mainstream clean-label beverages. Sanzo has achieved distribution in 2,000+ strategic retailers and is rolling out all flavors to Whole Foods Market nationwide (500+ doors). The company reported 5x year-over-year growth in both 2020 and 2021 and a >30% repeat purchase rate in direct-to-consumer sales. Future plans highlighted in the articles include accelerating national retail rollout, limited-time collaborative SKUs tied to cultural moments (e.g., a Turning Red Lychee can), and continued strategic brand partnerships to amplify AAPI representation. Sanzo focuses on cultural resonance and targeted partnerships to expand share within the $10+ billion sparkling water category. Sanzo produces Asian-inspired sparkling water in three core flavors—lychee, alphonso mango, and calamansi—made with real fruit and no added sugars or artificial flavors. The brand sells direct-to-consumer, through food & beverage wholesale distributors, and has launched in retail including Whole Foods. Sanzo reported rapid COVID-era growth, citing a 400% increase in revenue and later reporting >600% growth in its DTC channel that has driven over 4x revenue. The company was self-funded at launch and is operated by a sole founder who remains the only full-time employee. Sanzo’s mission is to bridge cultures by introducing authentic Eastern flavors to a broader audience, and it plans additional retail rollouts in the near term while bolstering e-commerce and digital marketing efforts. The business targets the growing sparkling water market and leverages clean-label, Asian-inspired positioning to capture consumers seeking healthier alternatives.
- Los Sundays Tequila
Participated · Series A · Jun 2021
Løs Sundays produces premium tequila from a blend of sustainably farmed highland and lowland 100% Blue Weber Agave, distilled in a family-owned, female-run distillery in Jalisco, Mexico. Its portfolio consists of Blanco, Reposado, and a Coconut-infused Blanco, complemented by sought-after merchandise and a viral social following. The brand has earned recognition from the International SIP Awards, San Francisco World Spirits Award, and Best Tasting Spirit Awards. An all-female marketing team has driven organic growth and engagement, helping secure national distribution with Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits. Established in September 2017 and headquartered in Costa Mesa, Calif., Løs Sundays is rapidly expanding—planning launches into 30 new U.S. markets and two countries in the first half of the year. The company recently closed a $3.5 million Series A to fund that expansion.
- Ohza
Led · Equity · Jun 2021
Ohza is a Cambridge, Mass.-based "champagne cocktail" company founded in June 2019 by Ryan Ayotte. The company makes premade mimosas using sparkling wine and real juice, with products that contain 130–140 calories per 12-ounce serving. Its portfolio is available in four flavors and sold in both can and keg formats. Ohza is distributed online in 42 states via ohzamimosas.com and stocked at more than 2,500 retailers including Whole Foods, Wegmans, Total Wine & More, Hannaford, Market Basket and many independent stores. The company intends to use recently raised funds to expand operations and broaden its business reach. Ohza makes ready-to-drink mimosas crafted from premium sparkling wine and real juice, positioned as clean-label alcoholic beverages with no added sugar, preservatives, or artificial flavors. The products deliver the flavor of an authentic champagne cocktail while claiming up to 80% less sugar and nearly 60% fewer calories than a traditional mimosa; they are also gluten free. Ohza recently debuted Classic Bellini and Mango Mimosa, available online and within its existing distribution footprint. The company emphasizes quality ingredients, sustainable packaging, and a lifestyle-oriented brand built around brunch culture. Ohza plans to use the new capital to fuel continued distribution expansion, product innovation, and awareness. The brand is based in Cambridge, MA and was founded by 26-year-old Ryan Ayotte.