Boulder VC firm BIGR leads California startup’s $10M funding round

BOULDER — Venture-capital firm Boulder Investment Group Reprise has led a $10 million funding round for an organic-beverage company based in Berkeley, Calif.

REBBL, which makes Coconut-Milk Elixirs and Proteins using “super-herbs,” will use the money to expand marketing efforts. Powerplant Ventures LP and individual investor John Foraker, president of Annie’s Homegrown, both in California, were part of the round.

Boulder-based Boulder Investment Group Reprise, or BIGR, was formed by Duane Primozich, Carole Buyers and Bill Weiland. The trio managed an investment arm of Boulder Brands before that company was acquired by Pinnacle Foods.

Primozich, managing partner at BIGR and a REBBL board member, said, “We’re thrilled by the opportunity to partner with REBBL. It is an exceptional brand with fantastic products, talented and experienced management, and a truly authentic mission.”

This venture-capital round for REBBL follows a $4 million investment closed in late 2015 led by Mark Rampolla, co-founder and managing partner of Powerplant Ventures and a member of REBBL’s board.

REBBL drinks include adaptogenic herbs such as ashwagandha, which is backed by clinical studies that demonstrate it helps the body adapt to stress, according to the company. The drinks available in select Whole Foods Market and independent retail stores nationwide.

on Facebook on LinkedIn