March 3, 2016

General Mills’ venture capital arm, 301 Inc., and CAVU venture partners have led a $2.1 million round of funding for Irvine, California-based organic cottage cheese startup, Good Culture.

Founded by Anders Eisner and Jesse Merrill, Good Culture’s non-GMO cottage cheeses are made from milk from cows that live on family farms. Tapping into the ‘better for you’ snack category, the company produces a range of organic, grass fed, high protein, low-sugar cottage cheeses that are free of thickeners, gums, stabilizers, or additives in flavors including strawberry chia, blueberry acai chia, sun-dried tomato, and Kalamata olive. Currently, the company’s products are sold across the U.S. through retail outlets including Whole Foods and Sprouts Farmers Market.

"We are thrilled to partner with good culture," said John Haugen, Vice President and General Manager of 301 INC in a recent statement announcing the investment. "Their mission and vision, coupled with General Mills' extensive resources, will give good culture tremendous opportunity to grow this remarkable, on-trend offering to meet the increasing consumer interest in nutrient dense, high protein snacks."

CAVU Co-founder, Clayton Christopher, who is also the founder of Sweet Leaf Tea, added “We are excited to announce our newest partnership with Good Culture and look forward to developing and bringing such an innovative brand to millions of consumers.”