Every once in a while you see foods that personify a generation. It could be the look, the branding or even the taste, but something about it just yells out a certain time period. For this generation the snack food that personifies our generation has arrived and has just received their first round of funding. Nomva, the snack food that doesn’t just want you to eat their organic snack foods, want you to see their product as an act of expression of yourself living in this day and age. With no additives or dairy and always filled with probiotics they are looking to make a splash not only in the snack industry but in your stomach as well.
We spoke with cofounders Caroline Beckman and Nina Church about Nomva and got the inside scoop on the recent funding as well as their goals from their more than just snack company.
Who were your investors and how much did you raise?
The two lead investors in Nomva’s Series A round are Evolution Media Capital and Taylor Farms. We raised $3M in the round.
Tell us about your product or service.
Our flagship line of products are organic, blended snack packs made with nothing but whole fruit and vegetables, plus billions of probiotics.
What inspired you to start the company?
We quickly realized that our frustrations–as well as our desire for something different–were shared by a whole generation that’s thinking differently about food. People like us who consider what we eat to be a core part of who we are, and a fundamental component of a healthy, active, sustainable life. With our unique experience in the Consumer Product Goods space as two young women, we saw the opportunity to bring a diversity of thinking to the space.
People who are accustomed to going out and getting what they want in life, instead of doing things the way they’ve always been done or waiting around for other people to figure it out.
How is it different?
Nomva is zero-compromise food: in one, low cost burst you get healthy servings of whole fruits and vegetables; immune digestive and protein utilization boosts from the probiotics; satiety and blood sugar balance thanks to fiber; convenience and portability of the pouch; awesome taste; and max freshness and nutrition thanks to its never heated, high pressure processing.
What market you are targeting and how big is it?
Target markets are young people (18-34) who are aware of nutrition trends and take pride in in eating premium, healthy foods and moms who are always looking for healthier, more natural and less processed foods for the whole family.
How big of a part does branding play for Nomva?
Nomva is a community invested in fueling and inspiring people to live their best lives. For us that means every part of your experience with a nomva pack should fuel and inspire you.
What was the funding process like?
We were very fortunate to work with great partners interested in bringing their own talents and expertise to the table.
What factors about your business led your investors to write the check?
We’re a young team working on disrupting the health food industry through authentic products and communication. Additionally, our team has experience with Suja Juice, the nation’s leading cold-pressed juice company. Through that our seed investors included many industry experts serving as advisors.
What are the milestones you plan to achieve in the next six months?
We are focused on expanding our distribution to Whole Foods Market and 500 more doors, and supporting our community and store activation around these markets.
What advice can you offer companies in Los Angeles that do not have a fresh injection of capital in the bank?
Product first. If the product is amazing and indispensible to people, the investment capital will come.
Where do you see the company going now over the near term?
Growing to bring our current line and more zero-compromise food to people around the country!
What’s your favorite outdoor activity in LA?
Going on adventures! At Nomva, we run our own “Adventure Series” to take people with us on our explorations.
