CircleUp recognizes innovative natural and organic brands in 2016
Online investing marketplace CircleUp recognized the 25 most innovative brands of 2016. More than half of those awarded are players in the natural products industry.
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For the fourth consecutive year, online investing marketplace CircleUp recognized the 25 most innovative brands of 2016. As with years past, a majority of those awarded are natural and organic brands. The CircleUp25 judges are top C-level executives, investors, bankers and lawyers in the consumer business, including Krave Founder and Sonoma Brands CEO Jon Sabastini and Mark Rampolla, founder of ZICO Coconut Water and partner at Powerplant Ventures. Here, find the the foods and beverages the experts deemed industry trailblazers.
Named after the Spanish legend of warrior queen Califia, who ruled over the mythical island of California, this alternative milk brand is dominating the category with its assortment of refrigerated almond milk, coffee creamer and cold brew coffee. Using sustainably sourced natural ingredients, the brand doubled its revenue in 2015 and increased distribution to 18,000 storefronts.
As an “ecosystem-based business” and the first Fair for Life certified coconut water brand, Harmless Harvest is setting the bar for environmental practices, fair wages and an unwavering commitment to sustainability. In 2016, the company pioneered a multi-step micro-filtration system to create the most environmentally friendly way to bottle coconut water.
In an effort to disrupt people’s preconceived idea of “vegan cheese,” Kite Hill is redefining the alternative dairy category by returning to old-school techniques of dairy making. Lyrical Foods is working to expand the Kite Hill product line with recent financing from CAVU Venture Partners and General Mills’ 301 INC.
Sir Kensington's flavorful condiments include both egg- and plant-based offerings, and notably Fabanaise, which the brand dubs “the first and only vegan mayo made from aquafaba" and which earned it a NEXTY Award in 2016. From 2014 to 2015, the brand saw 170 percent growth.
In step with the cold-brew coffee revolution, two coffee geeks set out to make the best-tasting coffee ever brewed. Chameleon Cold Brew was born and continues to focus on three practices: a conscious approach to bean sourcing, inventive roasting and meticulous brewing.
Finding shelf space in over half of the Whole Foods Market regions, Health-Ade Kombucha is doing what it takes to stand out in a crowded category. This small-batch brand holds true to its hand-crafted roots as a non-GMO, organic, high-quality ingredient star.
Ripple has squeezed itself into Target stores nationwide as part of the company’s Made to Matter program. The uniqueness of this alternative milk comes from sourcing yellow pea protein, which offers eight times the protein of almond milk and boasts a very small environmental footprint. Ripple’s bottles are made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled plastic.
Impossible Burger’s mission is to make its burgers taste like the real thing, just without the actual meat. After spending five years perfecting the meatless burger with a unique mix of plant ingredients and a "magic ingredient," the company is proving that nothing is impossible.
In an effort to promote nutrition convenience, Navitas Naturals helps consumers add superfoods to their diet. Its nutrient-dense products are certified organic, sustainably cultivated and minimally processed.
Shaking up the coffee scene, Bulletproof is encouraging drinkers to swap the cream and sugar for grass-fed butter and Brain Octane Oil. Garnering a lot of media and celebrity attention, Bulletproof isn’t just out to sell coffee, but to change the way this staple beverage is consumed.
This 100 percent raw and organic kombucha is made from the same strain of culture that founder GT’s family has used for over two decades. After bringing in $346 million in sales in 2014, this interpretation of an ancient elixir is staying put on the shelves.
This vegetable-centric innovator is working toward improving nutritional education and giving a new definition to eating “well.” By making vegetables the star of the plate, Hungryroot delivers easy, quick-to-prepare meals to customers' door and is on track to do $8 million in sales in 2016.
To ensure freshness and less time sitting on store shelves, the Nulo dog and cat food blends are made and distributed in smaller batches. This grain-free, high animal-based protein is the official pet food of the Ironman U.S. series.
To ensure freshness and less time sitting on store shelves, the Nulo dog and cat food blends are made and distributed in smaller batches. This grain-free, high animal-based protein is the official pet food of the Ironman U.S. series.
Online investing marketplace CircleUp recognized the 25 most innovative brands of 2016. More than half of those awarded are players in the natural products industry.
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