Participated · Series E · Sep 2022

Gotham Greens is a New York-based company that operates climate-controlled greenhouses to grow fresh produce near urban centers. Its core product is greenhouse-grown fresh produce distributed to retailers and positioned to reach consumers within a day's drive of its facilities. The company plans national expansion, accelerating development of three new greenhouses in Seagoville, Texas; Monroe, Georgia; and Windsor, Colorado, plus building out sites in Chicago and Providence and procuring future locations. Gotham Greens expects to operate 13 farms by next year totaling about 40 acres and recently acquired the 540,000-square-foot FresH2O Growers facility in Virginia. Operational claims include using roughly 95% less water than conventional growing and pursuing decentralization to reduce shipping-related carbon footprint. Financially, the company has raised a total of $440 million since its 2009 launch. Gotham Greens operates one of North America’s largest networks of high-tech, climate-controlled hydroponic greenhouses that produce long-lasting leafy greens, herbs and a line of salad dressings, sauces and packaged salads. The company has expanded capacity over the past year with new greenhouses in Chicago, Providence, Baltimore and Denver and doubled overall capacity. Gotham Greens has doubled revenue in the past year and reported 80% year‑over‑year growth in retail unit sales, with products sold in more than 2,000 retail stores and distributed to retailers in over 40 U.S. states. The brand recently launched new plant-forward packaged salads, cooking sauces and grab-and-go salad bowls. Management has emphasized expanding regional growing operations and distribution capabilities to address challenges in centralized food supply chains. The company says its industry-leading crop yields and capital efficiency continue to attract support from new and existing investors. Gotham Greens highlights a track record of profitable, commercial-scale production in statements accompanying the raise. Gotham Greens operates technologically advanced, climate-controlled urban greenhouses that produce hydroponic leafy greens for retailers and food service providers. The company emphasizes year-round supply chain reliability, transparency, and traceability and employs data science and machine learning in its operations. Gotham Greens owns and operates four production-scale facilities in New York City and Chicago totaling 170,000 square feet, with another 500,000 square feet under development across five states. Founded in 2009 and led by co-founder and CEO Viraj Puri, the company has grown from a single rooftop greenhouse to one of North America’s largest hydroponic leafy greens producers. It currently employs over 150 full-time team members. The company is expanding distribution, growing its team, and investing in R&D for controlled-environment food production techniques.

Led · Equity · Sep 2022

True Food Kitchen is a restaurant brand built around wellness-driven dining and seasonal menus guided by Dr. Andrew Weil’s anti-inflammatory food pyramid. The menu emphasizes wholesome, simple ingredients and thoughtful preparations to highlight natural health benefits and flavors. The company was founded by Dr. Andrew Weil and is led by CEO Christine Barone. As of the article, True Food Kitchen operates 42 locations across 17 states. Investors and backers include Oprah Winfrey, Lion Capital, Dr. Andrew Weil and Howard Schultz. The company recently raised over $100M in funding.

Led · Series C · Feb 2022

Founded in 2015, Good Culture is an Austin-based food company focused on reinventing cultured dairy with a clean-label, high-protein product line that includes cottage cheese, sour cream, and cream cheese. The products are sourced from family-farmed cows and purposely exclude artificial additives or stabilizers. The brand positions itself around sustainability, holding B-Corp Certification and partnering with organizations such as 1% for the Planet and Dairy Farmers of America. Having helped rejuvenate the cottage-cheese category, the company aims to broaden its reach and deepen consumer adoption across North America. Future plans involve accelerating product innovation and expanding distribution channels. Good Culture’s mission centers on delivering nutritious, minimally processed dairy while maintaining environmental responsibility. While no revenue or user figures were disclosed, the company’s continued backing from growth-oriented investors underscores its market traction and momentum.

Led · Series C · Jan 2022

Cheetah operates a wholesale food and restaurant supplies marketplace as a technology supply chain company. The business is based in Pleasanton, CA and maintains a Bay Area base. It currently services more than 10% of all independent restaurants. Cheetah recently closed a $60M Series C round of financing. The company says it will expand from its Bay Area base and will be announcing entry into new markets in the coming months. The Series C was raised amid participation from strategic and growth investors. Cheetah began as a wholesale delivery platform serving roughly 3,000 restaurant customers before COVID-19. As restaurant demand declined, the company launched Cheetah For Me to sell bakery items, beverages, dairy, meat, poultry, seafood, fresh produce, condiments, snacks and cleaning supplies directly to consumers via a network of pickup points. The Cheetah For Me service is currently live in the Bay Area. Leadership says the pivot is intended to expand essential services to consumers and help communities through the crisis and beyond. Financially, Cheetah closed a $36 million Series B and has raised $66 million in total to date; PitchBook valued its last round at $180 million. The company plans to use the funding to build on its technology-driven supply chain, expand consumer offerings, and sustain operations during the pandemic.

Led · Series B · Jul 2021

The New Primal began as a meat-snack maker and has expanded into sauces, marinades, dressings, condiments and dry seasonings, growing from three to 33 products over the past three years. It has national distribution across roughly 6,000 to 7,000 stores and its turkey meat snack is a top seller at Whole Foods and Kroger. The company launched 12 products during the prior year, including carrot ketchup, dijon mustard, smoky BBQ sauce, three ranch varieties, kids Snack Mates Bites, and four dry seasonings. Management frames the brand as a clean-eating platform and is prioritizing category extension and product innovation, citing marinades that became all-purpose sauces as an example. The New Primal has seen notable traction in its kids line and dry seasonings, and uses Whole Foods as an initial go-to-market partner before scaling. Leadership says the Series B proceeds will primarily fund team building across accounting, back office, sales and marketing to better support a large and growing SKU base.