MetaBrand Capital (Edison, NJ) announce a $5.75 million investment in Brooklyn, NY-based Runa LLC, supporting the growth of the natural, “healthy energy” food and beverage category utilizing the Amazonian guayusa tree-leaf.
Taking the Triple-Bottom Line approach to corporate social responsibility one step further, MetaBrand founder and longtime natural products entrepreneur Eric Schnell said he embraces the “Quadruple Bottom-Line,” a socially and environmentally aware business philosophy dedicated to People, Planet, Profit – and Purpose.
“This is the first major investment for MetaBrand Capital,” said Schnell, adding Runa represents all the criteria that we see in the Quadruple Bottom-Line business model. “MetaBrand has previously partnered with Runa in helping to pioneer the ‘healthy energy’ beverage category, and this strategic partnership allowed us to see that Runa truly is a perfect example of what a conscious capital investor cares about – fair trade, organic and natural, socially responsible with a strong moral obligation to give back.”
Other notable investors joined MetaBrand Capital in the round, including Mark Rampolla, founder, Zico; and Brian Krumrei, managing director, TSG Consumer Partners. Other investors from the music and entertainment industry include Jon Fishman, drummer for the band Phish, and Coran Capshaw, founder of artist management company Red Light Management.
Runa, co-founded in 2009 by college classmates Tyler Gage and Dan MacCombie, is a privately held company that sells beverages made from guayusa (pronounced “gwhy-you-sa”) leaves, according to MetaBrand. Unlike traditional teas, guayusa has no tannins. Indigenous peoples in the Ecuadorian Amazon have brewed guayusa like tea for thousands of years as an essential part of what makes them “Runa” – fully alive. “We absolutely believe in Runa’s authentic story, vision and potential for the brand. The investment was the natural progression of our commitment to their mission,” said Schnell.
For more information, visit www.metabrandcorp.com.
