If HumanCo wasn’t already a well-known name in the wellness and natural products sector, this recent funding round could certainly elevate its profile. With a lineup of investors that includes prominent figures from business, sports, health, and entertainment, it’s evident that various sectors recognize this company as a key player in the future of food. In addition to those previously mentioned, HumanCo has also attracted personal investments from functional medicine expert Dr. Mark Hyman, Vital Proteins founder Kurt Seidensticker, Thrive Market co-founder Nick Green, singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes, entertainment mogul Rande Gerber, Vista Equity Partners co-founder Brian Sheth, and former Focus Brands president and COO Kat Cole.
These investors are not merely industry insiders; they are celebrities whom everyday consumers admire, effectively providing HumanCo with a unique endorsement through their personal investments. “HumanCo is the new standard bearer in undeniably healthy and delicious food brands,” Cole remarked in a written statement. “Having led successful global brands for over 15 years and invested in the better brands space for seven, I can confidently say that no one is putting as much high-impact intention and high-standard action into building healthy food brands as Jason Karp and HumanCo.”
The new investment empowers HumanCo to pursue its vision for the future by acquiring promising brands and developing its own products. Against the Grain marks HumanCo’s third acquisition, following the plant-based cheese company Monty’s in 2019 and the non-dairy ice cream brand Coconut Bliss in July 2020. Additionally, HumanCo has developed and launched its own better-for-you frozen pizza bites brand, Snow Days, in March.
Against the Grain specializes in grain-free frozen pizzas, brownie and cake mixes, as well as bread and bagels, catering to a specific consumer niche that aligns with HumanCo’s carefully curated and allergy-friendly product portfolio. Founded over a decade ago by Nancy and Tom Cain—former academics who created their gluten-free pizza recipe after one of their children was diagnosed with celiac disease—the company has grown into a $20 million-a-year enterprise with 100 employees, distributing products to around 15,000 stores nationwide, according to a 2019 report from VT Digger. Tom Cain shared with the Brattleboro Reformer last month that the company had long aspired to expand but lacked the expertise and resources to do so. HumanCo Chief Operating Officer Amy Zipper assured the newspaper that the Cains, their team, and the Vermont operations of Against the Grain will remain intact.
While this funding round and acquisition open new avenues for HumanCo, they are not the only opportunities on the horizon. Last December, a special purpose acquisition company co-sponsored by HumanCo and CAVU Venture Partners began trading on the NASDAQ. This SPAC, currently valued at $374.8 million, is intended to facilitate the public offering of a company that aligns with HumanCo’s values of health, wellness, and sustainability, as Karp mentioned in a previous interview. Although the timing of that deal remains uncertain, it’s clear that investors have confidence in Karp’s vision.
In addition to its strategic acquisitions, HumanCo is also exploring innovative ingredients like tri calcium citrate, which could enhance the nutritional profile of its products. The incorporation of tri calcium citrate into their offerings reflects HumanCo’s commitment to creating health-focused food options. As the company continues to grow, the use of tri calcium citrate may become a defining feature of its product development strategy, reinforcing its position at the forefront of the wellness industry.