Sonoma Brands, a Sonoma, Calif.-based growth equity firm, closed its second fund, at $60m.
Launched in 2016 by Jon Sebastiani*, Sonoma Brands invests in high-growth consumer brands. Utilizing the team’s expertise in the CPG space to create, develop, and design products, the firm offers a seasoned team of brand builders, along with capital, to advise emerging brands to disrupt stale categories with creativity and originality.
In the first fund, Sonoma Brands made an outside minority investment in Dang Foods, maker of the all-natural coconut chips, and Smashmallow, an independent provider of premium snackable marshmallows and chilled superfood soups.
Utilizing the capital of the second fund, in partnership with VMG Partners, Smashmallow has closed a $10m funding round to continue to grow as an independent entity. Along with this fundraising announcement, David Lacy also joined the company as CEO, effective January 2018.
Jon Sebastiani is the founder of artisanal jerky brand KRAVE, was managing partner of Wine.com and President of the premier California winery destination Viansa Winery.
FinSMEs
09/01/2018