The Consumer VC Roundup #78

News & Events For the Emerging Consumer Ecosystem

This issue is brought to you by Propeller Industries.

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Hey friends,

If you’re currently at one of our consumer mornings today or came to our LA one last week – thanks for coming out and I hope you had a good time! Tonight we also have a Hot Dog Happy Hour in LA. Next week I will share the schedule for August. On to the latest news in consumer –

LA Happy Hour

Los Angeles → 🌭Weenies & Tinis

⏰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 and veggie dogs from Plant Provisions and a wide variety of creative toppings – like Fly By Jing’s Sichuan Chili Crisp and Haven’s Kitchen Aioli (all delicious). Plus drinks from Séchey and Jiant. We really appreciate all our food and beverage partners.

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This Week In Consumer

🧃Consumer Brands👚

💰Fundraises💰

🧴 Asaya, a skincare startup specializing in products for melanin-rich skin, has raised $1.5 million for melanin-centric research, product development, and market expansion, according to Pune.News. The funding was co-led by OTP Ventures and Huddle Ventures. GCIMagazine

🧬 NovoNutrients, the Biotechnology company, has raised $18 million in a Series A financing round to advance its process of converting industrial carbon dioxide emissions and hydrogen into proteins called Novotein. The financing includes $10.3 million in new capital and the conversion of $8 million in previously issued SAFEs. The round aims to reach a total of $23 million with additional closings. FoodBusinessNews

💸M&A💸

🤝 American Exchange Group has acquired the 14-year-old clean skin care brand Indie Lee. This acquisition aims to broaden the brand's reach beyond skin care through in-house expansions and licensing agreements. The deal occurs against the backdrop of increased challenges for indie beauty brands, with many having closed in the past two years. GCIMagazine

💄 West Lane Capital Partners has acquired Beauty Bakerie, the cosmetics brand, though the terms of the transaction were not disclosed. West Lane will use its industry relationships and expertise to support Beauty Bakerie's growth and distribution while establishing new innovative products. GCIMagazine

🚀Debuts, Distribution & Expansion🚀

🪮 Divi, the scalp & hair health brand, is now available in over 500 Ulta Beauty at Target stores and online at Target.com/ultabeauty. Named Ulta's 2022 Emerging Brand Launch of the Year, Divi expanded to more than 1,200 Ulta stores in September 2023. This expansion enhances Divi's omnichannel presence and ensures greater consumer access to its products. GCIMagazine

💁🏻‍♀️ Madison Reed, the hair care and hair color products brand, has launched ColorWonder Demi-Permanent Hair Color, designed to offer salon-level sophistication and versatility at home. Available in 16 natural and vibrant shades, this demi-permanent hair color lasts up to 25 washes and gradually fades without permanently changing the hair's natural state. GCIMagazine

🫧 Bubble Skincare, a favorite among Gen Z, is expanding its cleanser category with the launch of the silky, pre-cleansing First Class Oil Cleanser ($17). This formulation can replace a traditional foaming cleanser in a double-cleanse routine and pairs well with the brand's Soft Launch cleanser. GCIMagazine

🪞 Naturium, the skin care brand, expanded to Ulta Beauty nationwide on July 14, 2024, with 45 products available at 1,400 storefronts and online. This partnership, previously announced by parent brand E.L.F. Beauty, aims to offer clinically effective products at accessible prices, aligning with current trends towards efficacy and modest mass skin care growth. GCIMagazine

🦱 Vegamour, a holistic hair care brand, launched the GRO+ Advanced System. This marks a milestone in the brand's commitment to pioneering advancements in hair health, signifying a new era for Vegamour. BeautyPackaging

🧴 Curology, the dermatologist-powered personalized skincare brand, has launched at CVS Pharmacy. This follows its debut at Target in late 2022 and on Amazon in January 2024. Founded by dermatologists, Curology aims to address unique skin concerns and empower consumers to feel confident in their skincare choices. BeautyPackaging

🪷 Victor&Rolf Fragrances has launched its new Flowerbomb Tiger Lily fragrance for the summer. To celebrate, the brand hosted a private party at Joia Beach in Miami, FL. The Flowerbomb Tiger Lily fragrance features notes of coconut milk, mango, and tiger lily, capturing the essence of a tropical oasis. BeautyPackaging

🔆 Naked Sundays, the Australian skin and sun care brand, has launched at Ulta Beauty across North America. The brand offers ten hero products, including the CabanaGlow SPF50 Mineral Serum Drops range. Naked Sundays has also introduced two new Ulta-exclusive shades: CabanaGlow Blush and CabanaGlow Sheer. BeautyPackaging

💄 Revolution Beauty, the UK-born beauty brand, has expanded its product portfolio with two new peptide launches: Revolution Beauty Juicy Peptide Lip Balms and Revolution Beauty Peptide Strength Lash and Brow Serum. BeautyPackaging

🍕 Sweet Loren’s, the gluten-free vegan cookie dough brand, is expanding its baked foods portfolio with a new rolled dough collection, featuring a puff pastry and thin pizza crust. FoodBusinessNews

🥨 Every Body Eat, the clean, allergen-friendly, gluten-free snacks brand founded in 2020 by Trish Thomas and Nichole Wilson, has expanded its cracker line with grain-free crispbread crackers. These crackers are free from the top 14 allergens and corn, and are also gluten-free, grain-free, vegan, and Non-GMO. FoodBusinessNews

💚 Beyond Meat, the plant-based meat substitutes brand, has introduced its latest product, Beyond Sun Sausage™, marking a shift from its traditional meat replacements. Available exclusively at Sprouts Farmers Markets, this new offering emphasizes wholesome fruits, vegetables, and legumes, in response to growing consumer demand for clean-label ingredients. Vegconomist

🍫 Catherine’s Originals, the UK-based vegan chocolates brand, has launched what is claimed to be the UK’s first vegan chocolate selection tin. This product offers an alternative to traditional brands like Quality Street and Roses, which are often enjoyed during the Christmas period. Vegconomist

🪇Collabs🪇

🌹 Snif, the perfume brand, has expanded into all Ulta Beauty stores in May 2024 and launched the Ulta-exclusive Rose Era EDT in collaboration with YouTuber Monet McMichael. This move highlights how Snif is leveraging unique partnerships and retail expansion to drive growth. GCIMagazine

🎀 Fenty Beauty by Rihanna has announced a partnership with the 2024 Paris Olympics. Rihanna shared the news on Instagram, expressing pride in Fenty Beauty being a premium partner of both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Volunteers who present medals will receive Fenty Beauty makeup kits and makeup tutorials to create a special look for the event. BeautyPackaging

🕯️ Bath & Body Works is expanding its partnership with Netflix to release a new “Stranger Things” Collection of candles. The collection features four scents inspired by the show: Eleven’s Waffles, Hopper’s Coffee, Steve’s Scoops, and Argyle’s Pineapple Pizza. BeautyPackaging

🥗 Compass Group’s division Eurest, a leader in hospitality and food service in the USA, has partnered with the Irish company The Plant-It Food Co. to introduce its plant-based chicken in five markets: Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, and Philadelphia, before a broader national rollout. Vegconomist

Thanks for reading!