Participated · Equity · Mar 2024

Tanbark Molded Fiber manufactures modern, customizable Type 3 molded fiber packaging — colored, textured, embossed, and molded into intricate shapes — using Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood fiber that is recyclable and compostable. Founders Melissa and Christopher LaCasse leveraged their family firm LaCasse & Weston (which builds molding machines) to prototype a smaller, lower-cost machine that enables mid- and low-volume customers to access molded fiber. After building the prototype the company began manufacturing packaging directly and has early customers including Luke’s Lobster and Hannaford Supermarket, with a growing pipeline and the claim they would be at full capacity within six months if ready. Tanbark was founded in 2021 in Maine and is experimenting with other fiber sources while planning product and manufacturing innovation. Financially, the company has raised $3.2 million over two rounds and is planning a third raise in 2024. The founders plan to open a second, larger Maine facility while converting the current site into an R&D center of excellence.

Led · Equity · Jun 2019

MamaSezz offers never-frozen, whole-food plant-based ready-made meals — breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and kid-friendly options — shipped in eco-friendly coolers customers return for sanitizing, reuse, or recycling. Menu items cited include Millie’s Chili, Veggie Loaf, Gardener’s Pie and a kid-friendly Mac and Cheese. The company emphasizes sustainable packaging, purchases of local and/or organic food, and logistics that enable reuse and recycling of materials. MamaSezz is also committed to providing a livable wage, benefits and stock options to employees. The founders named in the article are co-founder and CEO Lisa Lorimer and partner Meg Donahue. Corporate operations are based in Brattleboro, VT, with manufacturing space in Keene, NH, and the company is pursuing growth supported by recent investment.

Participated · Equity · Feb 2019

Encore Renewable Energy designs, develops, finances, permits and constructs commercial, industrial and community-scale solar PV systems, with a focus on reclaiming underutilized property. The company has completed 63 projects and brought over 33 megawatts online since it started in 2007, collectively offsetting about 200,000 tons of CO2. Encore is approaching completion of its first commercial-scale rooftop project in Keene, New Hampshire and seeks to offer turn-key development services to other building owners in the state. The company plans geographic expansion across Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and elsewhere in the Northeast. The $1 million of permanent working capital announced will fund targeted new hires, strengthen strategic partnerships, and provide greater tactical flexibility for development and acquisition activity. Encore is a B Corporation and has been recognized as a Top 100 REAL Impact Leader.

Led · Equity · May 2018

Aqua ViTea produces handcrafted, tea-based kombucha and employs 34 Vermonters at its Vermont operations. The company offers 11 kombucha flavors and is distributed in 1,500 stores across 15 states. Aqua ViTea pioneered in-store self-serve Kombucha Fountain systems, creating a niche market and reducing consumer waste by encouraging refillable containers. A majority (67%) of its total annual expenses are spent with Vermont suppliers, reflecting a strong local-sourcing focus. The business has seen tremendous growth in recent years and is seeking to expand production capacity to meet growing customer demand. To support that expansion, Flex Fund invested $300,000 via royalty (revenue-share) financing to fund the purchase of a bottling line in Middlebury.