The Venture Codex

Led · Equity · Dec 2023

SipMARGS is a NYC-based ready-to-drink sparkling margarita brand led by CEO Justin Nabozna. Its beverages are made from premium tequila blanco, natural ingredients, real fruit juice, real cane sugar and sparkling water. The product is offered in five flavors: Classic, Mango, Coconut, Mezcal and Spicy, and is gluten free, vegan and dairy free. Each 12 oz can has 5% ABV, contains 130 calories and 6 grams of sugar. The company retails 4-packs for $10.99 and variety 8-packs for $18.99. SipMARGS plans to use the new funding to install a new leadership team, enhance formulation, upgrade packaging and consolidate its market positioning. sipMARGS produces premium canned margaritas available in five authentic flavors and bottled at 5% ABV. The product is positioned as a low-sugar, low-calorie, and low-carb ready-to-drink cocktail. The company launched in the spring of 2021 and is led by CEO Justin Nabozna. sipMARGS is based in New York City. It recently raised capital to support geographic expansion. The company plans to expand availability into Michigan, Ohio, and Connecticut, with additional rollouts including Virginia and California in 2024. MARGS produces ready-to-drink, canned margaritas using top-quality tequila and ingredients formulated to be low in sugar, calories and carbs. Launched last summer, the brand offers five full-bodied flavors: Classic, Mango, Coconut, Mezcal, and Spicy, positioned as affordable sparkling cocktails. MARGS won a Double Gold award at its first San Francisco World Spirits Competition and initially launched in New York, New Jersey and Florida. The product is currently available at marquee stadiums and venues including MetLife Stadium, Highmark Stadium, UBS Arena, and Tao Group. Co-founders Joey Angelo and Brian Axelrod bring nearly forty years of combined wine and spirits experience from prior roles including VIVA XXXII Tequila and Proper 12. The company announced a $3M investment from Lab Capital Advisors and plans to move its headquarters to the Labs NYC-based incubator.

Led · Series A · Aug 2023

Co-founded in 2021 by Maria Shriver and Patrick Schwarzenegger, MOSH positions itself as The Brain Brand® offering functional nutrition primarily in bar format. Its protein bars are formulated with a MOSH Signature Brain Blend anchored by Cognizin® Citicoline and include ingredients such as lion's mane, ashwagandha, omega-3s, and vitamins B12 and D3. MOSH reports distribution in 2,000+ U.S. retail doors and is preparing a nationwide Target launch alongside placements at Sprouts, Albertsons, Kroger, and HEB. The company is expanding its product line with MOSH High Protein, a bar featuring 20 grams of protein, creatine, and the Signature Brain Blend. MOSH directs a portion of proceeds to Alzheimer's research and women's brain health, having raised more than $400,000 and funded three research grants to date. Recent funds from the Series A will be used to scale retail distribution, advance product innovation, support a new research grant, and build marketing, sales, and supply chain capabilities.

Participated · Seed · Jun 2023

JustPaid is a New York-based AI-powered finance company that provides SMBs automated bill payment, contract validation, and real-time AI financial auditing solutions. The company is led by Vinay Pinnaka and Daniel Kivatinos. In June 2023 it raised $3.5M in Seed funding. Participants in the round included Rebel Fund, Leah Culver, Arash Ferdowsi, Jack Abraham, Mamoon Hamid, Orange Collective, Decacorn Capital, Lab Capital Advisors and Y Combinator. The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and broaden its business reach. The article did not disclose revenue, user metrics, or prior financing rounds.