BIGR Ventures Research
Investment Thesis
BIGR Ventures is a specialized growth equity fund dedicated to investing in early-stage natural and organic food and beverage companies. Founded in December 2015 by proven industry veterans with over 70 years of combined natural products experience, the firm leverages unparalleled industry relationships, distribution networks, and operational expertise to maximize growth potential of portfolio companies. The fund believes that the natural and organic foods category represents significant growth opportunities for well-positioned companies with authentic products and professional management.
Core Investment Focus
BIGR Ventures focuses exclusively on the natural and organic products sector, particularly:
- Natural and Organic CPG: Companies producing natural, organic, and health-conscious food and beverage products
- Functional Foods & Beverages: Products with health claims including super herbs, wellness ingredients, and functional nutrition
- Alternative/Specialty Categories: Grain-free, gluten-free, paleo, non-GMO, and clean-label products
- Cold-brew and Ready-to-Drink Beverages: Premium and convenience-focused beverage formats
- Plant-based and Sustainable Products: Hemp-derived products, organic certifications, sustainable sourcing
They explicitly avoid traditional junk food brands and companies without authentic natural/organic credentials.
Stage and Check Size
Stage Focus: Seed and Series A investments, with selective Series B participation
- Pre-revenue to early revenue companies: $1M-$15M in existing revenue
- Seed rounds: $2.5M-$8M typical size
- Series A rounds: $8M-$17M typical size
Check Size:
- Minimum: $500,000
- Typical range: $1M-$3M
- Maximum observed: $17M (High Brew Coffee Series A)
Co-investment Pattern: Frequently co-invests with other funds (e.g., AccelFoods, BFG Partners) and strategic natural foods partners.
Lead Tendency
BIGR Ventures leads seed and Series A rounds with significant frequency. Recent investments indicate:
- Lead Role: BIGR leads or co-leads majority of investments
- Board Seats: Partners actively take board seats at portfolio companies
- Hands-on Involvement: Direct operational support and strategic guidance to portfolio companies
Recent Activity & Fund Status
Fund Details:
- Initial Fund (BIGR Ventures LP): $55M+ committed capital (closed September 2016)
- Founded: December 2015
- Status: Actively deploying, well past initial fund close with 10+ portfolio companies
Recent Investments (2016-2020):
- Fat Snax: $4.5M-$5M Series A (April 2020) - low-carb keto snacks
- RE Botanicals: $2M+ seed round (April 2019) - organic hemp CBD products
- Soozy's Grain-Free: $2.5M seed (June 2018) - grain-free baked goods
- High Brew Coffee: $17M growth capital (May 2017) - premium cold-brew
- Bobo's Oat Bars: $8M Series A (March 2017) - organic oat bars
- Bonafide Provisions: Strategic investment (2016) - frozen organic bone broth
Portfolio Highlights
Active Portfolio (13+ companies):
- Fat Snax - Low-carb keto snacks, Series A funded, strong growth
- RE Botanicals - Organic hemp CBD, USDA organic certified
- Soozy's Grain-Free - Grain-free NYC baked goods, scaling nationally
- High Brew Coffee - #1 cold brew in convenience channel, RTD leader
- Bobo's Oat Bars - Organic oat bars since 2003, Series A funded
- Hope Foods - Leading organic hummus brand in natural channel
- Bonafide Provisions - #1 frozen organic bone broth
- REBBL - Category leader in organic super-herb elixirs
- Temple Turmeric - Board representation
- EPIC - Board representation
- Primizie - Board representation
- Suja Juice - Board representation
- Thorne Nature Experience - Board participation
Realized/Exited Investments:
- Live Beverages - Kombucha company (exited)
Board Participation: Managing partners sit on 12+ portfolio company boards, indicating deep operational involvement and value-add.
Leadership & Team
Three Managing Partners (70+ years combined natural products experience):
Carole Buyers - Co-Founder & Managing Partner
- 20+ years in natural foods industry
- One of first analysts to cover Whole Foods
- Former RBC Capital Markets equity analyst
- Former SVP Business Development & Investor Relations at Gaiam, Inc.
- Former SVP at Boulder Brands, led acquisition of 4 companies (75% of sales)
- Former Managing Director of Boulder Brands Investment Group
- Current/former board positions: Temple Turmeric, EPIC, Bonafide Provisions
Bill Weiland - Co-Founder & Managing Partner
- 26+ years in natural foods distribution/brokerage
- Founder of Presence Marketing (largest independent natural foods broker in US)
- Built out regional broker network to create unmatched competitor positioning
- First call for natural food companies seeking broker representation
- Provides deal flow, innovation insights, and distribution support
Duane Primozich - Co-Founder & Managing Partner
- 20+ years in natural foods industry
- Former VP at Frontier Natural Products Co-op
- Former VP at WhiteWave Foods
- Co-founder of Pixie Mate specialty tea business
- Former EVP at Boulder Brands (managed Balance segment with 3 of 6 businesses)
- Former Managing Director of Boulder Brands Investment Group
- Extensive current/former board service: Suja Juice, EPIC, Temple Turmeric, Primizie, Live Soda, Bonafide Provisions, REBBL, Bobo's, High Brew, Soozy's, Hope Foods
Team Advantages:
- Unmatched industry relationships in natural foods
- Multi-decade operating experience at large CPG firms
- Combined expertise spans production, distribution, retail, and acquisition integration
- Deep networks with natural foods retailers, brokers, and industry players
- Hands-on board participation providing strategic and operational value
Geographic Focus
- Headquarters: Boulder, Colorado
- Primary Markets: United States (nationwide)
- Portfolio Geography: Offices and companies across US (Boulder, Austin, Berkeley, San Diego, NYC, San Francisco)
- Distribution Advantage: Via Presence Marketing relationships across all major natural foods channels
Decision Process & Timeline
Decision Process: Partnership with Managing Partners actively involved
- All partners review investment opportunities
- Board representation indicated active ongoing governance
- Hands-on operational involvement with portfolio companies
Decision Timeline: Moderate to fast (4-8 weeks estimated)
- Strong deal flow from Presence Marketing broker network
- Industry relationships and pattern recognition enable efficient diligence
- Partnerships with AccelFoods and other co-investors
Warm Introductions: Highly preferred via Presence Marketing broker network or existing portfolio companies.
Typical Involvement
Board Participation: Active board representation at virtually all portfolio companies
Operational Support:
- Strategic planning assistance
- Sales and marketing initiatives
- Acquisition integration expertise
- Retail channel access and distribution guidance
- Natural foods industry insight and problem-solving
Investment Process & Selection Criteria
Deal Sources:
- Presence Marketing broker relationships (proprietary deal flow)
- Industry relationships through managing partners' networks
- Portfolio company syndication opportunities
- Natural foods industry events and conferences
Selection Criteria:
- Authentic natural/organic product positioning
- Experienced management team
- $1M-$15M revenue at entry
- Path to national distribution via natural foods channels
- Differentiated products with defensible positioning
- Willingness to accept hands-on partner involvement
Anti-thesis:
- Conventional junk food brands
- Companies without authentic natural/organic credentials
- Pure e-commerce plays without retail distribution
- Founders unwilling to accept guidance
Competitive Landscape
Unique Advantages vs. Other VC:
- Unmatched CPG industry expertise (70+ years combined)
- Distribution muscle through Presence Marketing (largest independent broker)
- Hands-on operational involvement through active board service
- Pattern recognition in natural foods category
- Acquisition integration expertise
Fund Status
BIGR Ventures remains actively invested with mature portfolio. The fund appears to be in deployment phase with continued focus on opportunistic investments aligned with thesis.