Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio is one of several new investors in the natural snack food brand Hippeas, which was launched last year by US-based start-up Green Park Brands.
CEO and co-founder Livio Bisterzo confirmed the investment had been made in Hippeas and not Green Park Brands.
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As well as DiCaprio, Strand Equity Partners, a private-equty firm funded by Seth Rodsky, has invested in the company. They join Hippeas general manager Jo Serventi, who also recently ploughed cash into the chickpea snack maker.
The company, which makes “better-for-you” snacks, claims it is on track to more than triple its revenues this year.
“As the brand continues to grow with such momentum in the marketplace, it’s incredible to bring on board partners who align with our vision and values as a company,” Bisterzo said.
Rodsky added: “Hippeas is a high-growth and differentiated brand that has been created in a short amount of time.”
Hippeas was launched simultaneously in the UK and US, and in less than a year, went from a zero distribution base to over 20,000 distribution outlets.
“The unprecedented traction the brand has achieved is a testament to its unique offering that combines nutrition with a creative flavour profile,” Bisterzo added. “We look forward to partnering with Livio, and the talented management team at Hippeas, to lead the next evolution of better-for-you snacking.”
Hippeas are low-calorie, certified organic and gluten-free, vegan, kosher and non-GMO. They contain three grams of fibre and four grams of protein in each bag, and are targeted at discerning health conscious consumers.
The brand is widely available in the US and the UK, including in Starbucks, Whole Foods, Wegmans, Albertsons and Safeway, Boots, Waitrose and Amazon.
