CPG Week by BevNET & Nosh
Spilling The Tea On Ryl's Latest Raise
Why It Matters
Understanding these investments reveals where capital is flowing in the food and beverage industry, signaling which categories—plant‑based, functional iced teas, and celebrity‑backed health brands—are poised for rapid expansion. For CPG professionals and investors, the episode offers timely insight into emerging consumer preferences and the strategic moves shaping the market’s next growth phase.
Key Takeaways
- •Trek One Capital acquires Good Karma Foods and NoCal.
- •Real Tea raises $20M Series C, total $42M funding.
- •Smash Foods secures $5M equity to expand distribution.
- •Kevin Hart’s Vita Hustle gets Axum investment for retail.
- •Modern iced tea brands double sales; Walmart adds dedicated aisle.
Pulse Analysis
The episode opens with a wave of capital flowing into plant‑based and better‑for‑you CPG brands.
Trek One Capital added Good Karma Foods and NoCal to its portfolio, strengthening its foothold in non‑dairy milks and high‑protein bars. Meanwhile, Real Tea closed a $20 million Series C round, pushing its total financing above $42 million, and Smash Foods raised $5 million to broaden distribution of its chia‑seed spreads.
Celebrity‑backed Vita Hustle also secured undisclosed funding from Axum Capital, positioning the brand for a retail rollout beyond e‑commerce and QVC.
Episode Description
In this episode:
This week on the podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Lukas Southard discuss Trek One Capital's acquisitions of Good Karma Foods and No Cow. The podcasters also highlight the latest funding announcements, including a new investment for a celebrity-backed supplement brand.
Show Highlights:
0:20 - Trek One Capital has acquired Good Karma Foods and No Cow. Monica explains more.
1:45 - Iced tea brand Ryl Tea raised $20 million in a Series C round, bringing its total funding to date to more than $42 million. Lukas shares details.
3:20 - Smash Foods has raised $5 million in equity investment, according to a Form D filed with the U.S. Securities Exchange and Commission. Monica outlines the brand's growth plans.
5:40 - VitaHustle, a supplement brand founded by comedian Kevin Hart, received an investment from Axum Capital Partners. Lukas discusses plans for the new funding.
About CPG Week
CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week's stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage.
New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to cpgweek@nosh.com.
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