The Consumer VC Roundup #76
News & Events For the Emerging Consumer Ecosystem
Hey everyone,
I hope you’re having a great week. I went to Ireland for 10 days for a wedding. It was a great time, but I’m excited to be back on the (somewhat) normal routine…and events. Did you know that July is National Hot Dog month? If you’re in LA, the Manufactured team is throwing a hot dog happy hour to celebrate. Here’s more info –
Los Angeles → Weenies & Tinis (July Happy Hour)
⏰July 25th 4-8PM Sign Up Here
The Manufactured team is throwing a Happy Hour at their HQ. There will be a gourmet hot dog bar with pasture-raised beef franks supplied from our friends from Porter Road (or veggie-dog options if you prefer) and a wide variety of creative toppings. Our goal is to bring together the emerging consumer ecosystem. I’m excited for this.
We have more meetups this morning meetups as well this month in LA, NYC, Philadelphia, Chicago, Austin. More details along with consumer fundraising updates below, but first a word from our sponsor.
This issue is brought to you by Propeller Industries.
Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies. Thinking about profitability, extending your runway, and improving efficiency in your operations? Managing your company’s finances requires multiple skill sets. Propeller’s fractional model offers a dynamic solution that provides a cost-effective alternative to hiring full-time finance talent.
To learn more about The Consumer VC sponsor opportunities, you can email me.
Morning Consumer Series
Culver City, CA –>☕️ Consumer Sunrise
📆 Thursday, July 18th
🕗 9:00am-11:00am PDT- SIGN UP HERE
Led by Manufactured and J.P. Morgan
Toronto, ON –>☕️ Cuppa Consumer
📆 Thursday, July 25th
🕗 8:30am-10:30am EDT - SIGN UP HERE
Led by CreatorClub and Manufactured
New York, NY –>☕️ Consumer Brews
📆 Thursday, July 25th
🕗 9:00am-10:30am EDT - SIGN UP HERE
Led by VHS Ventures and Manufactured
Philadelphia, PA –>☕️ Philly Brand Brew
📆 Thursday, July 25th
🕗 9:00am-11:00am EDT - SIGN UP HERE
Led by Manufactured
Austin, TX –>☕️ Wake Up! CPG
📆 Thursday, July 25th
🕗 8:30am-10:30am CDT - SIGN UP HERE
Led by Manufactured
Chicago, IL –>☕️ Consumer Chi Coffee Club
📆 Thursday, July 25th
🕗 9:00am-11:00am CDT - SIGN UP HERE
Led by Knack PR, Manufactured and J.P. Morgan
This Week In Consumer
🧃Consumer Brands👚
💰Fundraises💰
🧴 Niance, a luxury skincare and nutritional supplement brand based in Zurich, Switzerland, has achieved a significant milestone with supermodel, philanthropist, and investor Natalia Vodianova becoming one of its key shareholders. BeautyPackaging
💸M&A💸
💄 Givaudan, the Swiss fragrance firm, announced that it has acquired Italian beauty manufacturer B.KolorMakeup & Skincare, as the Swiss giant aims to strengthen its presence in the beauty industry. FashionNetwork
🌿 Above Food Corp., a Canadian regenerative ingredient company, has acquired Brotalia, S.L., a Spanish company known for its innovative food technologies. Brotalia, operating commercially as Foody’s, was formerly a subsidiary of Grupo Empresarial Enhol, S.L., based in Spain. Vegconomist
🚀Debuts, Distribution & Expansion🚀
🍫 Nestlé, the food and beverage giant, is introducing Sustainably Sourced chocolates. The new confectionery brand will be available this summer in airports worldwide. These chocolates contain cocoa certified by the Rainforest Alliance and are sourced through the Nestlé Cocoa Plan, the company's sustainability program. FoodDive
🛎️ Hooters, the restaurant chain, is launching its first line of frozen appetizers and snacks. The initial offerings include BBQ Smoked Wings, Dry Rub Smoked Wings, Buffalo Style Boneless Wingz, and Buffalo Style Popcorn Chicken, which will be sold at Publix Super Markets. The company announced that additional products will be introduced later in 2024. FoodDive
✨ Senser, the global luxury platform created by IntraMirror Limited, is making its debut in North America with its official launch in the United States. Senser partners with over 2,500 brand counters across 60 countries, offering a curated selection of more than 500,000 luxury items. FashionNetwork
💄 Clinique, under ELC (Estée Lauder Companies), launched a new collection centered around its iconic Black Honey shade. The collection includes two limited-edition items—a lip + cheek oil and a mascara—and expands the brand's High Impact Mascara range. This new lineup debuted on June 30 in the U.S., available online at Clinique and Ulta. BeautyPackaging
🍶 Quescrem, a leading Spanish innovator in the food sector, introduces Greenster vegan cream cheese. Made from almonds fermented like traditional cheese, Greenster offers a deliciously creamy texture and exceptional taste without preservatives or artificial additives. Vegconomist
🪇Collabs🪇
🛒 Cheez-It, the fan-favorite salad dressing, joins forces with Hidden Valley Ranch, while Kellogg collaborates with Crumbl to bring cookies to cereal. This exciting collaboration will hit shelves in July. Additionally, Drumstick meets Slurpee in an ice cream cone available at 7-Eleven stores. FoodDive
🏈 Pacsun has launched its second collaborative collection with the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), available online and in select stores. The collection features four unisex pieces, including a hoodie and three T-shirts, in LAFC's iconic black and gold. Designed to be gender-neutral, the items range in size from small to XL and are priced between $25 and $60. FashionNetwork
💄 E.L.F. Beauty has expanded its collaboration with Roblox, introducing real-world commerce through a virtual kiosk in its E.L.F. UP! experience on the platform. Users aged 13 and up can now buy the limited-edition E.L.F. UP! Pets Hoodie, emphasizing the brand’s cruelty-free commitment. E.L.F. has also donated $50,000 to the Humane Society of the United States. FashionNetwork
🪄 TNT Group, the metal specialist, has crafted a ring component for Charlotte Tilbury's Collection of Emotions launch, marking the brand's debut in fine fragrance. The collection includes six fragrances, each adorned with zamak rings finished in rose gold and varnished. These rings are designed with an inner groove to enhance their assembly with the bottles' colored caps. GCIMagazine
🧴 Eucerin, a dermatologist-recommended skincare brand under Beiersdorf, has teamed up with actress and singer-songwriter Mandy Moore for its new 'Expect More with Eucerin' campaign. The campaign aims to showcase how the brand's versatile products can simplify and enhance daily skincare routines through a series of concise videos and social media content. BeautyPackaging
🌸 NYX Professional Makeup partners with gymnast Shilese Jones to boost its presence in women’s sports, marking the brand’s debut collaboration with an individual athlete. Jones will be showcased in a social media series capturing her training and competitions. The partnership also includes over 30 new billboards in Washington and Minnesota to support Jones’ career. BeautyPackaging
🎤 Keys Soulcare, the holistic beauty and skincare brand founded by Alicia Keys, has collaborated with Amazon Alexa to create a unique digital experience. The custom “Keys Soulcare Alexa theme” will provide Echo device users with a soulful twist on their daily interactions with Alexa. Narrated by Alicia Keys herself, the theme offers positive energy, inspiring words, music, and beauty and skincare tips to uplift and inspire users. BeautyPackaging
🪮 Mielle, the textured haircare brand celebrating its 10th anniversary, has teamed up with Actively Black athleisure brand for a limited collection. As part of the celebration, Mielle has introduced an exclusive "Mielle Pink" Pantone shade. BeautyPackaging
🥦 GreenPlate, a plant-based consulting firm, has partnered with BigZpoon, a B2B SaaS company, to offer personalized menus to restaurant diners worldwide. These menus provide detailed nutrition and allergen information for each item, ensuring diners can easily find options that meet their dietary preferences. Vegconomist
Thanks for reading!