Sunnie Secures $1M From Santatera

Clean label snack maker Sunnie is on a hot streak.

The California-based brand announced today it has secured $1 million in funding from Santatera Capital with the news coming just weeks after hiring its first full-time team member, Brett Perotta, to lead production as director of supply chain.

The new cash will be put toward continued growth, operations, inventory and working capital, a press release stated, noting that the round was fully funded by Santatera and closed in the second quarter of 2025.

“This $1 million investment from Santatera Capital will accelerate Sunnie’s growth across three areas: retail expansion, strategic hires, and foodservice channel development,” said co-founder Katy Tucker, in an email to Nosh.

“The funding enables us to scale from our retail foundation into higher-volume foodservice channels, diversifying revenue streams and driving brand awareness through professional and travel environments where consumers seek clean, better-for-you snacks,” she continued.

Sunnie’s allergen-free snacks are available in Whole Foods and Target stores, among others. Earlier this year, the company refreshed its packaging in order to dial back its kids-focused position in favor of a look that would appeal to the whole family, co-founder Lisette Howard told Nosh at the time. Now, the brand is looking to reach that audience through a targeted approach to foodservice accounts.

“We’re strategically targeting airports, corporate offices, and airline distribution – environments that serve health-conscious consumers seeking better snack options,” Tucker said. “Our nut-free formulation is particularly valuable in corporate settings, while airports and airlines offer significant volume potential and brand exposure.”

The brand is already available in over 50 airports around the country in addition to Los Angeles airline lounges for American Airlines and Delta. Sunnie is also ramping up its presence on corporate campuses, building on a base that includes existing partners such as Netflix, Uber, and Google.

With all of that growth, the company recently told Nosh it is continuing to expand its team beyond operations and plans to make a second hire for a director of sales. In May, the company also added a new S’mores variety to its snack pack lineup.

“Sunnie’s competitive advantage lies in our truly clean ingredients — our grain-free crackers and fresh snacks contain no nuts, seed oils, or refined sugars,” Tucker said. “This addresses multiple dietary concerns while delivering on taste, giving us an edge across all channels focused on better-for-you options. The partnership with Santatera Capital also brings valuable strategic guidance as we scale operations and navigate increased distribution.”

Santatera, which wrote a check for the same sum to founder-run, better-for-you candy startup Refresh Gum earlier this year, told Nosh at the time that it approaches potential investments with an eye on strong margins, passionate founders and supply chain synergies that can allow the firm to help its investments scale up and reduce supply chain costs via access to its vast network of limited partners.

That network includes major food producers and processors throughout Latin America as well as CPG industry leaders like Chosen Foods chairman Gabriel Pérez Krieb, SOMOS Foods CEO Miguel Leal and Electrolit CEO Christian Patiño Webb. Sunnie, which uses avocado oil for all of its cracker products, will likely be able to unlock some cost savings via a newfound direct relationship with Krieb’s avocado oil empire.

“We’re seeing a clear shift in how parents approach food – clean-label, allergy-friendly, and no-compromise on taste is quickly becoming the new baseline,” said Ian Paul Otero, managing partner at Santatera Capital, in a statement. “Sunnie is right at the heart of that movement, with a standout product, strong early traction, and a clear roadmap to scale. We’re proud to support them in this next chapter.”