Quick Bites: September
Snack on the latest news from The Angel Group, the food and beverage industry’s premier investor community.
Recent Investments
Doughlicious’s cookie dough and gelato bites turn the mass appeal of ice cream into a new and novel bite-sized format. After having developed the product for the UK market, Doughlicious has garnered strong retailer interest and consumer fanfare in the United States. In response to demand for new novel products in the freezer aisle, retailers are increasingly prioritizing shelf space for novelties, signaled by the recent success of brands such as My Mochi, Bubbies, and TruFru.
Painterland Sisters officially announced the close of their seed round that was launched late last year, led by The Angel Group and supernatural ventures. As fourth-generation farmers, co-founders and sisters Stephanie & Hayley Painter are advocating for organic, regenerative family farms while redefining the dairy category. Painterland Sisters is leading the charge in a competitive dairy market, blending sustainability and innovation into a rapidly growing brand.
Fave’s organic, low-sugar drink mix is poised to disrupt the powdered drink mix category. It offers a refreshing alternative to legacy players and crowded function-first brands, delivering a simple, clean-label, family-friendly hydration that’s built for channel versatility. With strong retailer interest and a 20-year CPG veteran at the helm, Fave is set to reawaken a category ripe for innovation.
House Party Gratitude
On the eve of the annual Newtopia trade show in Denver, we welcomed 50+ members and industry friends to share in an evening of sampling and socializing. Special thanks to Joon Foods, Al’s Cookies, and Drippy for keeping our bellies full. We continue to feel blessed by such a tight-knit community.
Block Party Steals the Show
TAG’s first-ever trade show booth was the top attraction at the show, welcoming thousands of guests, including top retailers, notable investors, CPG founders, and many more industry professionals. Live demos were served up by multiple portfolio brands, including Coyotas, Painterland Sisters, and FAVE. The Angel Group also debuted its own newly incubated project, Drippy Queso. Look out for a similar experience at Expo West in March!
TAG expands in Pacific Northwest
Our Seattle-based members organized a local happy hour to network and explore deals together! While The Angel Group originated in Ohio, our expansion across the country highlights the power of this community’s incredible member base.
New Spotlight Deals
TAG Spotlight allows us to share investment opportunities that we’ve accessed, reviewed, and believe are worth your attention, but that won’t be formally syndicated by TAG at this time for reasons like stage, category fit (e.g. outside of CPG), or other factors that make them less ideal for group-wide syndication. Check out our active Spotlight Deals: Projo Protein Coffee and Hundy Frozen Fruit Pops.
AL’s Gains Momentum
Chef-crafted chewy cookie company AL’s Real Goods was a Spotlight Deal we brought to members in March, and they’re off to a hot start. AL’s is on track to hit $500k in revenue this year (in only 4 months). Read the full September update here. AL’s is raising $120k immediately to support production and marketing expansion. Email Aaron London (aaron@alsrealgoods.com) regarding this raise.
Bubble Taps Actress as Global Brand Ambassador
Bubble Skincare welcomed millennial actress and model Leighton Meester as its first Global Brand Ambassador, signaling the brand's evolution beyond its initial teen focus. This project showcases Bubble's commitment to playful yet clinically-proven skincare and reinforces its message: premium skincare doesn't have to be serious to seriously work. Watch the campaign here!
Fave Readies for 2026 Launch
Organic, low-sugar drink mix Fave is gearing up for its retail and e-commerce launch in 2026. The brand has garnered strong retail interest with confirmations from premium NorCal retailers, KeHE’s TrendFinder program, Thrive, Faire, and UNFI's UpNext program. Fave is increasing content production to promote the official website launch on November 1. Fave plans to activate its second, larger raise in 2026 to support retail commitments, TikTok Shop, and marketing efforts.
Fel’s Fall Launch
Color cosmetics brand fel beauty has tightened its launch plans and is scheduled for a DTC launch in mid-November, followed by a Sephora rollout slated for January 2026.
Support The Fry Guys
Jesse & Ben’s is requesting our help to rally for more shelf space and get new fry flavors at Whole Foods Market before the September category review. Spread the word and buy fries at WFM in the next 30 days. Bonus points if you post your fries on Insta and tag Jesse & Ben’s and TAG!
TAG’s Hot Topic: Let’s Talk Protein
This month, our virtual member meetup focused on the inescapable protein movement. Protein has always been a cornerstone of diets, but as Gen Z continues to drive demand for hyper-functional foods, protein is trending to new levels. During our meetup, members speculated that over the long term, 1) quality and bioavailability of protein will become increasingly under scrutiny by consumers and 2) products with ingredients that consumers naturally associate with protein will perform best (supplement powders, trail mix, meat snacks, yogurt) versus products that don’t (pasta sauce, soft drinks, condiments, etc). Keep an eye out for our next virtual member meetup where we will be discussing a new Hot Topic!
What are you snacking on?
The Angel Group is always on the lookout for the next breakout products. We welcome you to share the products trending in your household here.