Alumni Ventures

Ummino is a company that specializes in precision fermentation technology aimed at the fortified food and beverage sectors. Founded in 2019 and based in Raleigh, North Carolina, Ummino has developed a method that allows clients to convert common ingredients into high-value functional foods. By unlocking rare compounds found in nature, the company's technology enhances both taste and nutritional value, providing innovative solutions for the food industry.

Oobli is a food company focused on developing innovative protein sweeteners derived from exotic plants. These unique sweeteners offer a delicious taste while significantly reducing calories, making them a healthier alternative to traditional sugars. Produced through fermentation, Oobli's sweeteners have no glycemic impact and do not influence the gut microbiome, allowing consumers to enjoy sweetness without concerns related to blood sugar, insulin, or weight management. The company has successfully obtained regulatory approvals, including FDA "no questions" letters and GRAS status for multiple protein sources, which positions it as a leader in the healthy sweetener market. By transforming flavors, Oobli aims to enhance everyday food experiences while promoting better health outcomes for its users.

Bravo Sierra is a performance wellness company that focuses on creating personal care and nutrition products specifically designed for military and civilian communities. Founded in 2018 by Benjamin Bernet and Justin Guilbert in New York, the company leverages insights from active-duty service members through direct collaboration and social manufacturing, ensuring its products meet the unique needs of those who serve. By involving members of the U.S. military, including Special Forces, in the product development process, Bravo Sierra aims to enhance physical and mental fitness for its users. Additionally, the company operates on a revenue share model, contributing 5% of all sales to the Morale Welfare and Recreation program, which supports quality of life initiatives for military personnel, their families, retirees, and veterans.

Prima is a science-driven wellness brand focused on whole body health, offering a range of plant-based skincare, body care, and supplements that incorporate organic hemp CBD and functional botanicals. The company's mission is to address stress and other health issues at their source using clinically validated ingredients. Prima is committed to sustainability and transparency, as evidenced by its certifications as a Climate Neutral and Plastic Neutral company, in addition to being a certified B Corp. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Prima operates as a privately held Public Benefit Corporation, emphasizing the integration of science and nature in its products while promoting education and social impact in the wellness sector.

Mud\Wtr is a producer of organic beverages focused on providing health-conscious alternatives to traditional coffee. The company offers a unique blend of ingredients, including adaptogenic mushrooms like reishi, lion's mane, and cordyceps, combined with cacao, chia, turmeric, cinnamon, and sea salt. These formulations aim to deliver energy, enhance focus, and support immune health without the jitters or crashes often associated with caffeine. Mud\Wtr is committed to promoting healthy minds through the establishment of beneficial habits, positioning itself as a suitable choice for consumers seeking natural beverage options that support overall well-being.

Spero Foods, Inc. is a company that specializes in producing and selling alternative dairy products, focusing primarily on cream cheese. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Oakland, California, Spero employs innovative food science and process engineering to create mainstream plant-based dairy alternatives. The company aims to provide healthy food options for all individuals, positioning itself as a disruptor in the traditional dairy market. Spero Foods' products are available through various channels, including wholesalers, retail stores, and online platforms across the United States. The company has gained recognition for its innovative approach and has received awards from notable organizations such as Fast Company, NEXTY, and The Food Network. Its products can be found in over 3,500 authorized locations, including major retailers like Kroger, Whole Foods, Publix, and Sprouts.

Beam Organics Inc is a wellness brand that specializes in the manufacture of cannabidiol-infused products designed to enhance athletic recovery, promote overall wellness, and facilitate restful sleep. Founded in 2018 and based in Boston, Massachusetts, the company offers a diverse range of THC-free CBD products, including tinctures, salves, and oil droppers. Beam Organics focuses on delivering innovative solutions to consumers seeking natural alternatives for health and recovery.

Medipresso is a company that specializes in the production of coffee and tea capsule machines. It focuses on creating medicinal herbal teas by combining traditional medicines with natural ingredients. The company is engaged in research to enhance the capsule business, aiming to simplify the consumption of herbal tea ingredients that have historically been challenging to enjoy. By employing a careful blending process overseen by a tea sommelier and utilizing high-pressure extraction methods in its capsule machines, Medipresso enables customers to access the medicinal benefits of herbal teas while enjoying a convenient beverage experience.

Thistle, established in 2013 and headquartered in San Francisco, specializes in delivering ready-to-eat, plant-based meals, snacks, and cold-pressed juices directly to customers. Its offerings are nutritious, gourmet, and sourced locally and organically, making healthy eating convenient and accessible.

Yumi is a company that specializes in providing science-based meal delivery services for infants and young children. It focuses on producing fresh, nutrient-dense, and low-sugar baby food designed to meet the dietary needs of various age groups. Yumi aims to help parents understand the nutritional value of what they are feeding their children, particularly during the crucial early years of development. By offering a convenient and health-oriented solution, Yumi supports parents in ensuring their children receive optimal nutrition for brain development and overall well-being.

Oobli is a food company focused on developing innovative protein sweeteners derived from exotic plants. These unique sweeteners offer a delicious taste while significantly reducing calories, making them a healthier alternative to traditional sugars. Produced through fermentation, Oobli's sweeteners have no glycemic impact and do not influence the gut microbiome, allowing consumers to enjoy sweetness without concerns related to blood sugar, insulin, or weight management. The company has successfully obtained regulatory approvals, including FDA "no questions" letters and GRAS status for multiple protein sources, which positions it as a leader in the healthy sweetener market. By transforming flavors, Oobli aims to enhance everyday food experiences while promoting better health outcomes for its users.

Spero Foods, Inc. is a company that specializes in producing and selling alternative dairy products, focusing primarily on cream cheese. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Oakland, California, Spero employs innovative food science and process engineering to create mainstream plant-based dairy alternatives. The company aims to provide healthy food options for all individuals, positioning itself as a disruptor in the traditional dairy market. Spero Foods' products are available through various channels, including wholesalers, retail stores, and online platforms across the United States. The company has gained recognition for its innovative approach and has received awards from notable organizations such as Fast Company, NEXTY, and The Food Network. Its products can be found in over 3,500 authorized locations, including major retailers like Kroger, Whole Foods, Publix, and Sprouts.

Seed Health is a biotechnology company focused on advancing health through innovative applications of microbial sciences. The company develops health supplements that combine probiotics and prebiotics, targeting various aspects of well-being, including digestive health, skin health, heart health, and micronutrient synthesis. By collaborating with academic researchers, Seed Health aims to bring breakthrough discoveries to market, offering consumers live biotherapeutics designed to enhance both human and environmental health.

Vital Plan, Inc. is a company that specializes in producing natural supplements aimed at addressing a wide range of health conditions, including cardiovascular health, digestive issues, immune support, and stress management, among others. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, the company focuses on empowering individuals to take control of their health through transparency and educational resources. Vital Plan provides guided wellness courses, health coaching, and physician-formulated supplement protocols, ensuring that consumers receive credible information and high-quality products. The company also offers a variety of supplements online, promoting a holistic approach to health and well-being.

ISOThrive, LLC is a company based in Manassas, Virginia, that specializes in producing ingredients for the dietary supplement market, focusing on improving gut microbiome health. Founded in 2013, ISOThrive offers a key product known as ISOThrive Prebiotic Nectar, which is a zero-calorie prebiotic soluble fiber derived from plants and fermented vegetables. This product is designed to nourish beneficial bacteria in the digestive system, promoting overall health and wellness without adding calories to the diet. ISOThrive markets its products primarily online, catering to consumers interested in enhancing their digestive health.