NEW YORK — Soozy’s, a maker of gluten-free, paleo and non-G.M.O. baked goods, has closed on $2.5 million of seed capital led by BIGR Ventures and AccelFoods.
Launched last fall by founders Susan Chen and Mason Sexton, Soozy’s products include six muffin varieties made without grains, gluten, dairy, peanut or soy. The muffins, which come in wild blueberry, double chocolate, sweet potato, banana chocolate, coffee cake and matcha green tea flavors, are certified gluten-free, certified paleo and Non-GMO Project verified. Soozy’s products are available in 500 stores across Texas, the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, including H-E-B and Wegmans.
“We founded Soozy’s on the belief that consumers shouldn’t have to sacrifice delicious-tasting treats when leading a healthy grain-free, gluten-free lifestyle,” Ms. Chen said. “Mason and I are delighted to be partnering with BIGR and AccelFoods as we continue to grow, not just as a ‘better-for-you’ brand, but a truly ‘best-for-you’ baked goods company.”
BIGR (Boulder Investment Group Reprise) Ventures is a growth equity fund founded by industry veterans Carole Buyers, Bill Weiland and Duane Primozich, all of whom worked with Boulder Brands Investment Group (BBIG) before Boulder Brands was acquired by Pinnacle Foods, Inc. During their time with BBIG, the fund invested in Suja Juice and Epic Bar. Based in Boulder, Colo., BIGR Ventures focuses on early-stage natural and organic products, and its portfolio includes such brands as High Brew Coffee, REBBL, Bobo’s, Bonafide Provisions and Hope Foods.
“Nearly a decade ago, I had a front-row seat to the emergence of the gluten-free category and led the acquisitions of the No. 1 and No. 2 brands in the market at that time,” Ms. Buyers said. “We see the opportunity in grain-free today as very similar to gluten-free 10 years ago. Soozy’s is exceptionally well-positioned to capitalize on this emerging market.”
Founded by Jordan Gaspar and Lauren Jupiter, AccelFoods is an investment fund centered on high-growth packaged food and beverage companies. AccelFoods’ portfolio includes such brands as Harmless Harvest, Cocomels, Good Day Chocolate, I Heart Keenwah and Nona Lim.
“True partnership is built when there is an alignment and trust established amongst management teams and their investors,” Ms. Gaspar said. “Having developed an extremely close relationship with the management team of Soozy’s, backing this company to pioneer an emergent category was an easy decision, as we have strong confidence in their ability to execute on shelf. We could not be prouder to partner with the BIGR team as we support Susan and Mason as they build Soozy’s to become a market leader in bringing grain-free to the masses.”