Led · Equity · Feb 2022

De La Calle is a Los Angeles-based company offering Tepache, a probiotic beverage rooted in the traditions of pre-Columbian Mexico. Tepache is made from fresh, organic pineapples and incorporates regionally sourced ingredients like turbinado sugar and tamarind. The fermented drink is certified organic, probiotic, marketed as good for the gut, under 40 calories, low in sugar and rich in vitamins C and D. The brand intends to expand its flavor lineup and product offerings and grow retail distribution. The company will use the recent growth financing to release new flavors (Watermelon Jalapeño, Cactus Prickly Pear, Grapefruit Lime, and Chamoy), add additional product lines, and expand into five Whole Foods regions. De La Calle was co-founded by Rafael Martin Del Campo and Alex Matthews.

Led · Series A · Sep 2021

Spudsy upcycles imperfect sweet potatoes into plant-based puff snacks and a sweet potato “fry.” The puff comes in five flavors and the fry/straw product is offered in four flavors. Its products are sold at Whole Foods, Kroger and Sam’s Club, and the company works with a North Carolina farm and was on track to save 1 million flawed sweet potatoes by the end of 2021. Spudsy raised $3.3M in a Series A and has raised $6.5M total since it was founded three years ago. The company built out much of its executive suite last year and plans to use the new capital primarily for hiring, to support growing national retail interest, and to invest in in-store demonstrations. Management also plans to expand into other grocery categories such as frozen foods, bread and tortillas, and to push direct-to-consumer and Amazon sales next year. Founder and CEO Ashley Rogers previously founded Buff Bake and sold her share before starting Spudsy.

Led · Series A · Sep 2021

Burb Cannabis Corp. is a Vancouver, BC-based global cannabis lifestyle brand and high-end retailer that sells curated cannabis products, apparel and ancillary items and produces the weekly Light Culture podcast. Led by Co-Founder and CEO John Kaye, the company distributes products through its network of licensed retail stores. It currently operates three licensed cannabis retail stores in Vancouver’s Lower Mainland, recently received a fourth retail license in the city of Vancouver, and has a pipeline of BC-based stores under lease with licenses pending to open up to eight stores in the province. Burb plans to use new capital to increase its retail-store network in British Columbia and to launch its private-label Burb-branded cannabis products across Canada and into California. The company has also signed consumer packaged goods brand licensing agreements with Canadian producer Citizen Stash (TSXV: EXP) and California-based Martin Holdings, founded by Jason “Problem” Martin.

Led · Series A · Feb 2019

Rowdy Mermaid Kombucha brews low-sugar, function-forward kombucha inspired by the Colorado wildscape, using snowmelt, regenerative organics and in-house DNA testing for safety and consistency. The company positions its flavors around fresh herbs, roots and adaptogens such as chaga and turmeric. Since its origins in 2013 it has become the second fastest selling locally-brewed kombucha in the Rocky Mountain region and has reported year-over-year growth of more than 100 percent. Its products are distributed in bottles and on tap across the Rocky Mountain region and in many western and southwestern states, available in more than 500 retail stores including Whole Foods, Natural Grocers and King Soopers. Rowdy Mermaid emphasizes sustainable packaging, renewable glass, wind energy support and seasonal small-batch brewing. The company plans product and packaging innovation, including environmentally friendly cans and multi-packs, broader western sales expansion, and a new package and design.

Participated · Series B · Mar 2018

Spindrift makes fizzy soda and sparkling water that emphasizes real fruit in its drinks. The company was founded in 2010 by Bill Creelman and is based in Charlestown, Mass. Per an SEC filing, Spindrift raised $29.8 million in a funding round; Crunchbase data shows $70 million in known venture funding to date. Spindrift differentiates its products by using real ingredients such as Michigan cucumbers, California strawberries and Alfonso mangoes from India. The company recently launched a pineapple flavor and ran a Golden Pineapple sweepstakes offering winners a year’s supply and a custom mini‑fridge. It competes with large sparkling‑water brands such as LaCroix. Spindrift makes sparkling water flavored exclusively with real, fresh fruit picked from family farms and squeezed within days of harvest. Its products contain no added sweeteners or natural flavors and are sold in flavors such as Half & Half, Strawberry, Orange‑Mango, Grapefruit, Blackberry, Cucumber, Lemon, and Raspberry‑Lime. The brand is available nationwide at grocery and café retailers including Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods Market, Starbucks, Panera, Kroger, Target, and online via Amazon and its own shop. Founded in 2010 by CEO Bill Creelman and based in Newton, Mass., the company emphasizes ingredient transparency and freshness. Spindrift recently closed new funding and intends to use the proceeds to launch its first national advertising campaign to educate consumers about the real-ingredient difference. Spindrift produces sparkling water made with real, fresh fruit, with flavors including Grapefruit, Blackberry, Cucumber, Lemon and Raspberry-Lime. Products contain no added sweeteners; fruit is picked from family farms and squeezed within days of harvest. The company retails an eight-pack of 12 oz. cans for $5.99 and is available nationwide at retailers such as Trader Joe's, Target, Costco and Panera. Founded in 2010 by CEO Bill Creelman and based in Waltham, Massachusetts, Spindrift closed $10m in growth funding. The company plans to use the proceeds to continue expansion into other classes of trade and to invest in production infrastructure.