FirstLook 🤑

September is still SUMMER! ☀️ We had so much fun shooting in the backyard where Cape Cod’r was born —right here in Dennis Port. Nothing captures our brand’s spirit like the place where it all started. As the warm days continue, keep the summer momentum going with Cape Cod’r. Grab yours at retailers across MA, RI and CT or order online at capecodr.com Cape Cod'r | Craft Cocktails = Endless Summer 🤙

Alumni brand belliwelli continues to soar via leveraging TikTok "BelliWelli incorporated all aspects of their community into the brand’s DNA. Rather than relying on large budgets, the brand prioritized personal interaction and customer connection, a deliberate choice amidst rising CPAs and digital competition. One of its top campaigns, Hot Girls Have IBS, stemmed from social media conversations. The brand received over 3,000 orders directly from TikTok through consistency."

We’re proud to see to alumni brand Arch Pet Food continue pushing the limits in pet food #innovation

BIG congrats to The Coconut Cult on raising $100,000(!) from a FirstLook 🤑 investor! The Coconut Cult is lead by Noah Simon-Waddell and Ari Raz. Noah started the brand in 2017 making yogurt fermented with a unique blend of probiotic strains designed to target inflammation. Today he is the face of the brand, growing the cult on social media with an authentic approach that places the brand in the top 1% of engagement among CPG brands. Ari cofounded Once Upon a Farm, the fastest growing kids nutrition brand in the country and worked as President under CPG legend John Foraker for 4 years. Ari was recruited by Noah in 2021 to leverage his experience building a brand from the ground up. Shop The Coconut Cult below, and use the discount code “FirstLook” for 20% site wide! #startups #venturecapital #funding

WOAH!! We have a featured article on Entrepreneur!! 😳 And it was the # 1 most read story on Entrepreneur Media for 4 days straight!! Link in comments. In my mind I haven’t done anything noteworthy enough to warrant cool coverage like this… There’s a long way to go till Wellious is a true success… While we’re still trying to find the antidote for imposter syndrome, there is something I do love about this piece… It shows that it’s still possible to create something out of nothing. When potential investors see that we’re growing 600% yr/yr and will do millions in revenue in the next year, very profitably – they immediately ask how much we’ve raised and how big the team is… When I say we’ve raised $0 and the team is just me.. they reciprocate with utter shock. I’m getting more used to this, but honestly, I used to think that is how most people did it… In the zeitgeist of cpg, you quickly realize that most brands growing to 7 figures in the first couple of years have been funded since early on. And zero shade to them – I’m positive this is the smarter play, and often completely necessary to make a splash in our ridiculously hard industry. But I love that our story shows someone like past-me who doesn’t have access to capital or doesn’t feel the right to ask someone to risk their $ on our unproven dream, that creating something out of nothing is very much possible. Couldn’t be more grateful for everyone that’s supported me the last couple of years, and I cannot wait to keep giving this thing my all. We’re just getting started! 😍 #Entrepreneur #Founder #CPG #Startup #PR #FoodandBeverage #VMS

Alumni brand Nomadica, founded by Kristin Olszewski, and Olympic skier and actor Gus Kenworthy team up to launch a Rosé Yuzu Spritz 👀 "The drink blends Merlot, Grenache, Gamay, and fresh yuzu juice to create a Spritz that Kenworthy says is “perfect for summer.”'

Mela 🤝 Gen Z

The latest FirstLook 🤑 went out yesterday to our 2000+ subscribers. This one covered my experience working with investors the past 4 years of building this business. Lots of interesting learnings, plus some takes that doesn't seem to align with the rest of VC commentary. I also covered the May box brands below, two of which landed funding from our investors! Bask Suncare The Coconut Cult Fungies® Mushroom Gummies Mela Primi Foods Co SAYSO Shout out to the founders and leaders of these brands including Mike Huffstetler + Brittany Stone (Bask), Noah Simon-Waddell + Ari Raz (Coconut Cult), Rob Kaufman (Fungies), Dominic Purpura (Mela), Janine Shea + Paolo Internicola (Primi), and Alison (Nathanson) Evans + Chloe Bergson (SAYSO) June box is next, plus some big announcements on the future of FirstLook 🤑 #venturecapital #startups #newsletter

Congrats to alumni brand Naturaz and founder Mumbi Irene Dunjwa on the recent $1M raise! "Naturaz is a groundbreaking clean hair care product line, meticulously crafted by Founder and CEO Mumbi Dunjwa, delivering and sustaining an impressive 3X more moisture in curly hair. As an award-winning chemist from the American Chemical Society, Dunjwa utilized her background and experience in chemistry, large pharma, healthcare, and technology to build Naturaz." #startups #venturecapital

Congrats to alumni brand Rupee Beer ® on becoming the first Indian beer sold in an Major League Baseball (MLB) park! Such this huge milestone. “Boston is where our beer journey began, and as alumni of local universities, this city and its people have embraced Rupee and our mission to bring Indian inspired beer to more of America. We're so excited that India Day participants will once again be able to enjoy a Rupee during the game at Fenway Park this year". - Van Sharma / Sumit Sharma #startups #venturecapital #boston