Is the Plant-Based Revolution Here to Stay? Green Circle Capital’s Stu Strumwasser Leads the Discussion at NOSH Live
Green Capital Circle Advisors
Green Circle Capital Managing Director, Stu Strummwasser, will lead a world-class panel at NOSH Live Winter 2021 in Santa Monica on December 2, 2021. The panel, entitled Investing in Plant-Based Brands, includes:
- Bryan Kreske, General Manager, Hormel Foods Venturing and Incubator Unit
- Robert Brown, Managing Director, Encore Consumer
- Joe Rhodes, Co-Founder Hummingbird Equity Partners
- Brigette Wolf, Global Head of SnackFutures, Mondelēz International
With decades of experience in the food industry and a collective portfolio including well-known brands like Kraft, Lenny and Larry’s, Ancient Harvest, Daiya Foods and Rudi’s Organic Bakery, our panelists harbor great insights into consumer preferences and shopping patterns.
In this discussion, they will provide their take on the plant-based revolution currently sweeping grocery aisles. With consumers continuing to seek a wider variety of plant-based options, our panel will examine the future of the plant-based movement and whether this is a fad, trend, or a revolution that is truly sustainable.
They will give their thoughts on brands, segments and strategies that are ripe for success, and some that may fall short. If you’re interested in learning how emerging companies can navigate the changing landscape for growth capital and exit opportunities, this is the panel for you.
Meet Our Experts:
Moderator:
STU STRUMWASSER, Managing Director, Green Circle Capital
Stu is the Founder and a Managing Director at Green Circle Capital Partners. The firm has an investment banking division called Green Circle Capital Advisors (focused on natural products) and a venture capital division called Green Circle Foodtech Ventures which just closed on its first Fund with which to invest in food-related technologies.
Panelists:
BRYAN KRESKE, General Manager, Hormel Foods Venturing and Incubator Unit
Bryan currently works on the future of food and technology leading Hormel Foods venturing and incubator unit. He has 20+ years of food industry experience in brand management, new business development, and sales strategy.
ROBERT BROWN, Managing Director, Encore Consumer
Robert co-founded Encore Consumer Capital in 2005. He is Chairman of Encore portfolio companies Ancient Harvest and Tender Belly and a director of Love Wellness, Navitas Organics, and Supergoop!. Robert was the Chairman of former Encore portfolio companies Aidells Sausage Company, Atlantic Aqua Farms, California Splendor, Caterina Foods, Isopure, PhillySwirl and tarte and was a Director at Thanasi Foods.
JOE RHODES, Co-Founder, Hummingbird Equity Partners
Joe is the Co-Founder of Hummingbird Equity Partners, the President of Lenny & Larry’s LLC and the Founder of Stockton Road Capital. He has been an active investor in the health & wellness industry having invested in leading brands such as: Lenny & Larry’s, Nutiva, Three Ships Beauty, Daiya Foods, Jamieson Wellness, Airborne, Culturelle, Rudi’s Organic Bakery, and Designer Protein among others.
BRIGETTE WOLF, Global Head of SnackFutures, Mondelēz International
As the Global Head of SnackFutures at Mondelēz International, Briegette Wolf is in charge of the innovation and venture hub which launched in 2018 as part of the global snack leader’s growth agenda. Brigette has been with Mondelēz International for 7 years, and in that time served as the Senior Director of Global Platform Innovation for the Gum & Candy and Biscuits categories as well the Senior Brand Manager for Global belVita innovation. Prior to this, Brigette was with Kraft Foods for almost 10 years having served as the Global Innovation Manager for Oreo and the Brand Manager of several of the pizza and meal brands.
