Breadcrumbs Volume 1.

Welcome to Breadcrumbs, your weekly venture and angel investing roundup. This week there are three topics we need to discuss...

Happy Monday everyone!! As I try to navigate this new world of Substack and newslettering, I’ve been experimenting with different topics and series to see what kind of content resonates with YOU! One idea I had was a weekly venture capital and investing round up! Either at the start of the week or end of the week, where you get the latest VC dirt.

What new products and companies launched!? And who funded them? Which companies raised? And trends!! My insights on which trends are fleeting and which ones are here to stay. And SO much more.

And when I say dirt…

What are my hot takes on them? Who am I personally investing in? And everything I know that goes on behind the scenes.

SO with that, welcome to Breadcrumbs Volume 1. This week I have three topics on my mind.

1. Khloe Kardashian launches Khloud Protein Popcorn.

2. The HHS and FDA are Phasing out Petroleum Based Synthetic Dyes

3. I have 3 new angel investments!!!

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Khloe Kardashian launches Khloud Protein Popcorn

PHOTO: KHLOUD FOODS

If you saw my Substack Note on this last week then you already know how I feel about this one. Okay where do I begin…

1. Celebrity is being overused, and from my experience of being personally invested into celebrity-backed brands, after the first year it doesn’t have much effect.

2. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I love the Kardashians! I’ve watched every season of their show and respect their hustle and business acumen. But Khloe and a popcorn business?! Kim and SKIMS- brilliant. Kylie and Kylie Cosmetics- brilliant. In the decade plus that this family has been on TV, I haven’t one time heard Khloe ever talk about popcorn.

3. Protein is hot. WE GET IT. But there are certain things we don’t need to add protein to. If a cracker or chip uses products that have protein, like nuts or seeds, and therefore is branded as a protein product; SWEET, I love it! But Khloud dust? Added to popcorn? eh.

Will the product do well? Probably! It’s venture backed by some great names and the Kardashian cult is incredible. I personally disagree with the whole “because she’s famous everyone should love this kinda strange product that is off brand.” I know countless founders who work tirelessly day after day so their cpg can have an ounce of recognition. I’d like to see these founders win!

The HHS and FDA are Phasing out Petroleum Based Synthetic Dyes

There is a massive movement to take artificial dyes and ingredients out of our mass produced products, and if this is the first time you’re hearing about it I would be shocked! I spoke about the cereal movement in my Instagram post, here!

Well last week the FDA announced new measures to phase out petroleum based synthetic dyes from our food supply. Per the FDA, “FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1, and FD&C Blue No. 2” will be phased out from the food supply by the end of next year. This is GREAT news and just the beginning!

My motto is, “if you don’t know what an ingredient is or can’t pronounce it, you probably shouldn’t eat it.”

I can’t wait to see which ingredients get the ax next!

I have 3 new angel investments!!!

A perk of this community is that you all will ALWAYS be the first to know anything that goes on in my personal investing life. Well I’m excited to share that I have THREE new angel investments.

It’s kind of crazy that these three came together all at the same time, because I am KNOWN to be hyper hyper selective (which should be obvious- I have REAL money on the line!!)

Two of the brands are still in stealth (private) so I can’t announce their names until they are live. And the third launched last year, and I’m predicting it to be the next big rocketship in cpg!!

1. Stealth Company #1- is in the cancer prevention space. The majority of my investments are in CPG (consumer packaged goods) and beverage, but I am always looking for anything health adjacent. Women’s and Men’s Health and Fertility is a huge interest of mine, and something we’re going to hear a ton more about in the venture community going forward. This company is using AI to increase cancer prevention, and I couldn’t be more excited to be involved in a company whose mission is saving lives.

2. Stealth Company #2- is in FASHION and lifestyle! My first venture into the fashion world of venture capital and I am so excited. There is a massive name launching this company, and I think it has the power to become a total lifestyle brand. Unlike Khloud, this company couldn’t be more on brand. This celeb is a needle mover with an influence I haven’t seen before.

3. CPG Company 3- we are still finalizing term sheets here, but once my investment is in and final I will be singing it as loudly as I can! Let’s just say, if you’ve been following my Instagram for a bit you might be able to take a good guess at who it is.

I promise we’ll do deep dives on all once they are all confirmed and LIVE!!

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Writing Breadcrumbs Volume 1. truly brought me more joy than anything I’ve worked on in a long time!! I know writing and working in venture is my purpose and passion and I am so excited to bring this education to you all!!

Thank you for subscribing and following along on this ride!