HIPPEAS™ Announces New Investors

LOS ANGELES, May 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- HIPPEAS™, one of the fastest-growing natural snack food companies, announced today a group of new investors whose equity stake will help the brand continue its explosive growth trajectory. Revenues are on track to more than triple this year.  

HIPPEAS CEO and Co-Founder Livio Bisterzo confirmed today that Strand Equity Partners, a leading growth equity fund co-founded by Seth Rodsky, and Leonardo DiCaprio have invested in the company. They join ex barkTHINS EVP and current General Manager of HIPPEAS, Joe Serventi, who recently invested in the chickpea snack.

"I'm truly excited that Strand Equity Partners and Leonardo have joined the HIPPEAS family. 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. We are very enthusiastic to be sharing in this journey with them," says Bisterzo.

"HIPPEAS is a high-growth and differentiated brand that has been created in a short amount of time," said Seth Rodsky, Managing Partner of Strand Equity Partners. "The unprecedented traction the brand has achieved is a testament to its unique offering that combines nutrition with a creative flavor profile.  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 is a new brand of organic chickpea puffs calling all snackers to #GivePeasAChance and try the new "better for you" snack while also "doing good" for the world.  

HIPPEAS believes that "tastes good" and "do good" are two philosophies that should go hand in hand – that's why they've partnered with Farm Africa, a charity working to end hunger and bring wealth to rural eastern Africa. For each pack sold, the brand will donate a portion of sales to support farmers in eastern Africa to grow themselves out of poverty, helping them build a more prosperous life for themselves and their families.

HIPPEAS is currently sold in over 20,000 stores in the US and UK with customers including Starbucks, Whole Foods, Wegmans, Albertson's, Safeway, Boots, Waitrose, Amazon.com and more. 

Light and crunchy with a serious punch of protein and fiber, HIPPEAS are low-calorie, certified organic, certified gluten-free, vegan, kosher and non-GMO. With three grams of fiber and four grams of protein per single-serve, one-ounce bag, HIPPEAS are the new go-to snack choice for consumers who demand tasty snacks made with high-quality ingredients. 

About HIPPEAS™
Light and crunchy with a serious punch of protein and fiber, HIPPEAS™ are low-calorie, certified organic, certified gluten-free, vegan, kosher and non-GMO. With 3 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein per single-serve, 1-ouncebag, HIPPEAS™ are the new go-to snack choice for consumers who demand tasty snacks made with high-quality ingredients. 

HIPPEAS™ are available in five far out flavors: Vegan White Cheddar, Sriracha Sunshine, Far Out Fajita, Pepper Power,and Bohemian Barbecue.

About Strand Equity Partners
Strand Equity Partners ("Strand") is a leading growth equity fund focused on making investments in emerging and dynamic consumer brands. Strand adds value to its portfolio companies through its marketing and operational expertise as well as its extensive network of industry relationships.  

Strand investments include Artsy, Chop't, Dos Toros, Revive Kombucha, Sweaty Betty, Thom Browne, Vita Coco, WTRMLN WTR and Bai Brands, which recently sold to Dr Pepper Snapple Group for $1.7Bn, to name a few. 

For more information about Strand, visit www.strandequity.com

About Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio is an Academy Award-winning actor, producer, and activist. He founded the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation in 1998 for biodiversity and habitat conservation, and climate change solutions. He is as a UN Messenger of Peace for Climate, and a recipient of the Clinton Global Citizen Award and the World Economic Forum Crystal Award. DiCaprio serves on the boards of World Wildlife Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council, National Geographic's Pristine Seas, Oceans 5, and International Fund for Animal Welfare

SOURCE HIPPEAS