Participated · Series B · Jun 2026

California Naturals, founded in 2023 by Shelby Wild, is a natural-beauty brand. The company is pursuing retail expansion into national chains including Target, Ulta, and CVS and plans new category launches. Leadership is shifting as COO Hayden Hiatt—who previously held multiple leadership roles at Glossier—moves into the CEO role while founder Shelby Wild remains involved. Financially, the brand reported finishing the year 220% above its 2023 sales forecast and is projecting 800% year-over-year revenue growth. The company has raised more than $40 million across three funding rounds to date, including the recently closed Series B led by Align Ventures with participation from Elizabeth Street Ventures.

Participated · Series A · May 2026

Launched in 2024 by founders Jesse Konig and Ben Johnson, Jesse & Ben's makes frozen french fries cooked in beef tallow. Since launch the brand has scaled into more than 3,500 retail locations including Whole Foods, Sprouts, Fresh Thyme and MOM's, and is now adding Target, Costco and Kroger. The company expanded its SKU count from three to five with the additions of Sweet Potato Tallow Fries and Crinkle Cut Beef Tallow Fries. Coverage cites rising repeat purchase rates, and CEO Konig has said the business is on track to grow fourfold in the next 12 months. Prior to the Series A, the company raised a seven-figure seed round.

Participated · Series B · Oct 2025

Founded in 2018, Recess pioneered the relaxation beverage category with a portfolio that now spans three lines: Recess Mood magnesium-and-adaptogen sparkling waters and powders, Recess Zero Proof Craft Mocktails, and its original hemp-infused drinks. More than 95% of the company’s sales come from its Recess Mood line, underscoring strong consumer demand for non-stimulant functional beverages focused on mental wellness. Recess products are carried in over 15,000 U.S. retail locations, including Target, Kroger, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s, and the brand is the top alcohol-alternative seller on Amazon. The company positions itself as a restorative counterweight to the $25 billion energy-drink market, aiming to help consumers relax, socialize, and sleep better. Newly appointed President & Co-CEO Kyle Thomas, a 25-year beverage veteran, is tasked with building commercial systems to scale the brand. The Series B capital will be deployed to grow headcount, expand retail distribution, and increase marketing efforts as Recess seeks to cement its leadership in the emerging relaxation segment.

Participated · Seed · Aug 2024

Great Many, launched in June 2024 by Michael Pollak and Steve Klebanow, operates a flagship growth studio in NoHo staffed with clinicians and hair experts offering personalized hair-growth plans. Its in-studio services include board-certified hair assessments, PRP (plasma hair restoration), and prescription oral and topical medications. The company has introduced a proprietary GrowthFactor Formula™ product line of four items (shampoo, conditioner, densifying serum, and scalp treatment) priced individually from $34–$49 and sold online and in-clinic. Great Many also launched a telemedicine platform to deliver prescriptions and consultations to customers outside NYC. The company emphasizes accessibility and affordability—offering PRP packages for under $2K and medications for less than $1/day—positioning itself as a one-stop, clinically oriented hair-growth solution. The business combines in-person clinic revenue streams, product sales, and telehealth services and recently closed a pre-seed round to fund expansion beyond its NoHo studio.

Participated · Seed · May 2024

Humanaut Health operates premium, membership-based clinics focused on health optimization and longevity. Its clinical services include comprehensive health assessments, preventative care, symptom management, individual coaching, and therapies such as regenerative, hormone, and lifestyle medicine. The company emphasizes a holistic, hands-on approach grounded in advanced medical science and integrative medicine. Humanaut plans to expand membership-based clinics nationwide, launching concierge services early summer and opening its first locations in Austin, Texas in late 2024. It recently closed an $8.7M seed financing to support care model development, digital health services, clinic quality, and franchise expansion strategies. The founding team includes entrepreneurs and medical leaders who say they have generated billions in exit value from prior ventures.