LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today Phenomenal Foods, LLC dba “Nomva” announced the closing of a $3 million Series A fundraising round. With its products only on the market since October 2015, Nomva’s distinctive contribution to the evolving fresh snack and cold-pressed juice category is off to a striking start.
OUR STORY
Nomva was created by Caroline Beckman and Nina Church, a pair of 22-year-old entrepreneurs who share the belief that food should empower and inspire people to live their best life. Each Nomva pack starts with whole, organic fruits and vegetables, blended together to maintain the nutritional benefits of natural fiber. Nomva products are then infused with billions of vegan probiotics, providing digestive and immune benefits superior to those found in leading yogurt brands.
Beckman, the first college dropout of the two, got an early start to her career in the food and beverage industry at the nation’s leading cold-pressed juice company, Suja Juice, where she was VP of Special Projects. Meanwhile, Church was running an experience design consultancy and studying at Stanford University. Backed by seed investors including industry leaders like Zico Coconut Water founders Mark and Maura Rampolla, Suja Juice CEO Jeff Church, coupled with a Thiel Fellowship grant from tech billionaire Peter Thiel, the two set out to build a company that thinks differently about food.
ABOUT THE PARTNERS
The two lead investors in Nomva’s Series A round are Evolution Media Partners (Evolution) and Taylor Fresh Foods (Taylor Farms). Nomva CEO Caroline Beckman, said, “We are incredibly excited to partner with industry leaders to provide early and strategic growth for Nomva.” Beckman explained that Nomva will use the new funds to “support and build customer relationships, scale distribution nationwide, and grow internal talent.”
Evolution is a joint venture between Evolution Media Capital (EMC), Creative Artists Agency’s affiliate merchant bank; TPG Growth, and Participant Media. The company, leveraging its unique relationship with Creative Artists Agency (CAA), partners with and invests up to $600 million in growth-stage media, sports, and global entertainment companies.
Taylor Farms is the world’s largest producer of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, with deep ties to organic growers and a refrigerated distribution system designed to deliver the highest-quality fresh produce nationwide. A representative from the family owned business states, “We’re big fans of the Nomva team. The next generation is driving a fundamental shift in our food system and Nomva has the tools to build a company that brings all of these values to life.” With 13 facilities worldwide, Taylor Farms will provide Nomva early and strategic support with organic produce sourcing, perishable logistics and distribution.