Barrel Ventures
Venture capitalActively deployingEvanston · Seed · 6 people tracked
Also known as BARREL VENTURES MANAGEMENT, LLC
Investment thesis
Barrel Ventures is a seed-stage fund focused on the food ecosystem. It invests across four core areas: better-for-you and disruptive consumer brands redefining food, beverage, health, and wellness categories through cleaner ingredients and functionality; food and ingredient technology developing biological and tech-driven functional ingredients to improve health and address supply constraints; supply chain and innovation spanning software, logistics, and material science that modernize distribution and enable scalable packaging alternatives; and vertical AI platforms automating workflows and optimizing operations across CPG and food enterprises. The firm leverages operating experience and strategic relationships to help early-stage food entrepreneurs scale.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 25, 2026.
Team · 6 people
from the firm's website
What they invest in
from 30 of 34 portfolio companiesAI & Machine Learning ×12FoodTech ×11Consumer ×10SaaS ×10Direct to Consumer ×7E-commerce ×6AgTech ×5Retail Tech ×4
HQs:United States×17Israel×1India×1
Who they back
founder profiles across 18 portfolio companiesFounding team size:solo founder×112 founders×43 founders×24+ founders×1
Where their founders studiedfrom 11 founders with education data
Stanford University Graduate School of Business ×2
Accelerator rootsportfolio companies that came through a program
Investments · 34 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2026 · 22025 · 12024 · 12022 · 12021 · 22019 · 18 dated
Iris Finance is an AI-native financial platform for consumer packaged goods brands, providing real-time P&L visibility, cash flow forecasting, and margin analysis across sales channels and SKUs.
AI & Machine LearningFintechSaaS
Drew Fallon(Founder & CEO)inMarkoin
Co-investorsFounder CollectiveGlasswing VenturesRosecliff VenturesAccess Venture PartnersSID Venture PartnersAccess Ventures+2 more
Bloxsnacks sells fruit-based snacks and juice products, such as FruitBlox and JuiceBlox, marketed through collaborations with online creators like Unspeakable and the Stokes Twins.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerFoodTech
Co-investorsShrug Capital
Celleste Bio develops a cell-based "cocoa technology" combining biotech, agtech, and AI to produce real cocoa ingredients—including cocoa butter and powder—at scale independent of geography and climate.
AgTechBiotechFoodTech
Hanne Volpin(Founder)in
Co-investorsFLORA VenturesTrendlines GroupConsensus Business GroupSUPPLY CHANGE CAPITAL
Scranton, US
Michael Averto(Executive Officer, Director)Jason DePietropaolo(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsAfore CapitalBreak Trail VenturesFour Acres CapitalBen Franklin Technology PartnersSupernode Ventures
Clove designs slip-on sneakers for healthcare professionals such as doctors and nurses, featuring fluid-resistant, easy-to-clean uppers and a dual-density support system for long work shifts.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerE-commerce
Joe Ammon(Founder)in
Co-investorsDorm RoomAccelAir Street CapitalKindredKindred Capital
Commander AI is a sales intelligence and CRM platform for waste, recycling, and scrap haulers, offering geo-based prospecting, automated email outreach, lead qualification using permit and market data, and market intelligence.
AI & Machine LearningSaaSSales Tech
Co-investorsTribes VenturesWatchfire Ventures42CAPBADideas.fund
Confido provides AI-powered automation for cash application, deduction management, and dispute resolution on a single platform, designed specifically for accounting teams at consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareFintechSaaSNew York City, US
Kara Holinski(Founder)inJustin Hunter(Founder)inTrevor Hanus(Executive Officer, Director)Emery Wager(Executive Officer, Director)Stephanie Watanabe(Executive Officer)AJ Hanus(Executive Officer)
Co-investorsTogether FundWatchfire VenturesY CombinatorBlume VenturesBreakwater VenturesContext Ventures+7 more
DocUnlock generates complete, validated customs filings from documents, producing forms such as CBP Entry Summary (7501), In-bond (7512), Importer Security Filing (ISF), Pedimentos, and PGA filings ready to review and submit through an ABI.
AI & Machine LearningLogistics & Supply ChainSaaS
FruitScout applies industrial process instrumentation to agriculture by providing machine vision systems and AI-powered planning tools for agave growers.
AgTechAI & Machine Learning
Matt King(Founder)in
Co-investorsBowery CapitalTFX CapitalWatchfire Ventures
Gainful makes personalized performance nutrition products and supplements.
ConsumerE-commerceFoodTechHealthtechWellness & FitnessNew York City, US
Jahaan Ansari(Founder/CTO)inEric Wu(Cofounder)
Co-investorsCourtside VenturesDorm RoomKli CapitalY CombinatorBrandProject Capital
GEM makes whole-food nutritional supplements in the form of plant-based bites designed to address nutrient deficiencies using real food ingredients rather than isolated vitamins.
Advanced ManufacturingConsumerFoodTechHealthtechWellness & FitnessVenice, US
Sara Cullen(Founder + CEO)
Co-investorsCollaborative FundZintinus37 AngelsSequoia Capital
GoNanas sells allergen-friendly banana bread baking mixes made with a small number of clean ingredients, offered in a range of rotating and limited-edition flavors.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerFoodTechChicago, US
Anne Slabotsky(Executive Officer, Director)Morgan Lerner(Co-founder)Annie Slabotsky(Co-founder)
BoardIsaac Arnold(Director)in
Co-investorsEntrepreneur VenturesTribes VenturesWellness Ventures
Co-investorsSpringbankTMV
Helaina uses precision fermentation to produce human proteins, including lactoferrin and other bioactive nutrients found in human milk, for consumer nutrition products serving athletes, new parents, and health-conscious consumers.
AI & Machine LearningBiotechFoodTechHealthtechNew York, US
Laura Katz(Founder & CEO)in
Co-investorsCosmic Venture PartnersIngeborg InvestmentsPlum Alley InvestmentsTrousdale VenturesPrimary Venture PartnersSpark Capital
Hetal uses computer vision and AI applied to in-store aisle recordings to diagnose planogram compliance and shelf conditions for consumer brands.
AI & Machine LearningRetail TechSaaSBronx, US
David Roger(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsHabitat PartnersNomad Venture Partners, LlcNVP CapitalNewark Venture PartnersRed Bike Capital
Jumbotail runs a B2B marketplace platform connecting India's mom & pop grocery retailers (kirana stores) and supermarkets with brands and staples producers, offering products across staples, packaged foods, personal care, and home care.
B2B MarketplacesLogistics & Supply ChainRetail Tech
S.Karthik Venkateswaran(Founder)inAshish Jhina(Founder)in
Co-investorsCapria VenturesKalaari CapitalSC VenturesSiddhi CapitalArkam Ventures
Kea AI provides an AI-powered voice phone assistant for restaurants that answers customer calls, takes orders matched against the menu, and handles item, modifier, and FAQ updates.
AI & Machine LearningFoodTechSaaS
Co-investorsStreamlined VenturesMarbruckSuperAngelXfund
Kimba makes a biometric sleep device that uses built-in sensors (and optional integration with wearables like Oura, WHOOP, Apple Watch, and Garmin) to deliver personalized, AI-driven natural scent therapy timed to the sleep cycle.
AI & Machine LearningHardwareWellness & FitnessTel Aviv, IL
Ben Fuxbruner(Founder)inGabi Beck(Founder)in
Co-investorsAble PartnersBeyond22fresh.fundPALETTE VENTURESSelva VenturesSupermoon Capital+2 more
LOVE CORN makes crunchy roasted corn snacks sold in multiple flavors and pack sizes for everyday snacking.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerFoodTechHo-Ho-Kus, US
James McCloskey(Executive Officer, Director)Marissa McCloskey(Executive Officer, Director)Gavin McCloskey(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardShane Thakrar(Director)Thomas Hadley(Director)
Co-investorsPuma Private Equity
Moku makes plant-based snacks from freshly harvested mushrooms, including vacuum-cooked crispy mushroom chips and savory mushroom jerky.
AgTechConsumerDirect to ConsumerFoodTechLos Angeles, US
Matthew Feldman(Executive Officer, Director)Matt Feldman(Cofounder)in
Co-investorsLDR VenturesSiddhi CapitalMana Ventures
Nowadays makes hemp-derived THC beverages designed to be sipped like a spirit without alcohol, offering a controlled, timed buzz.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerE-commerce
Co-investorsY Combinator
AllMade Materials develops industrial composite materials and biomass feedstocks from California tree nut byproducts such as almond shells and orchard wood.
AgTechCircular EconomyNew MaterialsCarmel, US
Paul Kephart(Executive Officer, Director)Chuck Templeton(Director)Marta Kephart(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsS2G Investments
Oakland, US
DAVID MATTHEW LESTER(Director)CHARLES BENNETT GOODWIN(Executive Officer, Director)Ben Goodwin(Founder)inMELVIN LANDIS(Executive Officer)TRACY HART(Executive Officer)
BoardCHRISTOPHER DAWE(Director)
Co-investorsAntiCollaborative FundLakeside CapitalLeft Lane CapitalMelitas Ventures LlcMidnight+2 more
Paloma is a commerce platform that lets sellers run and manage sales directly inside Instagram, using Meta's Messaging APIs to process claims, bids, and auctions from Comments, Story Replies, and DMs.
E-commerceRetail TechSaaS
Co-investorsBlack Jays VenturesOverton Venture CapitalAct One VenturesThe Fund
Partake produces non-alcoholic craft beers, including an IPA with citrus and bitterness notes at around 10 calories, aimed at consumers who want craft beer flavor without alcohol.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerFoodTech
Co-investorsAMBERSTONEGroundForce CapitalCircleUp Partners
Pod (Pod Foods Co.) is an omnichannel retail platform that helps consumer brands get placed with retail buyers, drive sell-through, and scale across regions and national accounts.
B2B MarketplacesFoodTechRetail TechSan Francisco, US
Fiona Lee(Executive Officer, Director)Larissa Russell(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardAinhoa Maiz(Director)Clint Chao(Director)
Co-investorsFunction VenturesK2 GlobalLotus Venture PartnersM12 (Microsoft's Venture Fund)Moment Ventures, LlcXRC+5 more
Stay AI is a subscription management platform for Shopify brands, offering AI-optimized cancel flows, automated winbacks, cohort analytics, and no-code tools to grow recurring revenue and reduce churn.
AI & Machine LearningE-commerceSaaSPark City, US
Gina Perrelli(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Pierson Krass(Director)Taylor Cawiezell(Director)
Silkline provides supply chain orchestration software for advanced manufacturers, automating procurement workflows and enabling supplier collaboration to reduce time to revenue and improve operational efficiency.
Advanced ManufacturingEnterprise SoftwareLogistics & Supply ChainSaaS
Brent Shulman(Founder)in
Co-investors25MadisonOrigin VenturesValia VenturesForward Deployed VCMatchstick VenturesPlow Ventures
SimpleHedge is a platform for farmers to manage crop and cattle risk by tracking production, sales, inventory, and financial hedges in one place.
AgTechFintechSaaS
Co-investorsTall Grass VenturesStartup TNTTrillick Ventures
Soona provides on-demand custom content creation services for brands, using technology to connect creatives with clients seeking high-quality video and visual content at scale.
AI & Machine LearningCreator EconomyE-commerceMarketing TechMedia & EntertainmentDenver, US
Elizabeth Giorgi(CEO)Hayley Anderson(CPO)in
Co-investors2048 VenturesBain Capital VenturesGreen Meadow VenturesIrishAngelsKokopelli CapitalMatchstick Ventures+5 more
Undivided is a subscription service that helps parents of children with disabilities navigate IEPs, 504 plans, school districts, and disability and insurance benefits, combining AI tools, a HIPAA-compliant digital document binder, plain-language guidance, and human "Navigators" who are experienced parents.
AI & Machine LearningDigital HealthEdTechLos Angeles, US
Jason Lehmbeck(Executive Officer, Director)
Therma provides mechanical contracting services including HVAC, plumbing, and energy solutions for mission-critical and commercial buildings.
Construction TechEnergy
Joe Parisi(Founder)Nicki Parisi(Founder)
Co-investorsClocktower VenturesTech Square VenturesThird Sphere
ULTRA manufactures nicotine-free, tobacco-free oral pouches containing nootropic ingredients (including Enfinity® Paraxanthine, L-Theanine, and Alpha GPC) designed to support focus, energy, and mental clarity for consumers seeking cognitive enhancement without caffeine or nicotine.
ConsumerWellness & Fitness
Co-investorsGood FriendsLeft Lane Capital
Co-investorsID8 InvestmentsSilicon Ventures
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companies
Commander · vgtimes.com · Aug 16, 2026
Kimba · thefashionlaw.com · Aug 11, 2026
Moku Foods · startupintros.com · Jul 13, 2026
GoNanas · castleplacement.com · May 7, 2026
Paloma · businessinsider.com · Apr 30, 2026
Gainful · edsource.org · Apr 20, 2026
Confido · financialit.net · Feb 27, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Barrel Ventures made?
- Barrel Ventures has 33 tracked investments, including 2 dated in the last 24 months.
- What stage does Barrel Ventures invest at?
- Barrel Ventures invests at the Seed stage.
- What sectors does Barrel Ventures focus on?
- Barrel Ventures focuses on AgTech, AI & Machine Learning, Biotech, Consumer, FoodTech, Logistics & Supply Chain, New Materials, Wellness & Fitness.
- Where is Barrel Ventures located?
- Barrel Ventures is headquartered in Evanston, US.
- Who does Barrel Ventures co-invest with?
- Barrel Ventures most often shares deals with Watchfire Ventures, Collaborative Fund, Dorm Room, among 70 tracked co-investors.
Images
Co-investors · 3
Notable Capital is a venture capital firm that has partnered with founders for over two decades, backing companies from the earliest stages through to exit.
Chicago Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that partners with founders in industries it views as overlooked, writing high-conviction checks and taking board seats.
Pritzker Group is a family-backed investment firm that partners with companies for the long term using a permanent capital base, and has acquired or invested in more than 100 companies.
Firms observed investing alongside Barrel Ventures, from public investor directories. Shared companies are the overlap with Barrel Ventures's recorded portfolio.
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