May 19, 2021

Photo credit: Sambazon

By Lynda Kiernan, Global AgInvesting Media

Based in San Clemente, California, and with operations in Brazil, Sambazon is a global leader in  açaí-based foods and beverages. Açai is a high-antioxidant fruit that grows atop palm trees in the Amazon Rainforest, leading to Sambazon being an acronym for “Sustainable Management of the Brazilian Amazon” reflecting how Sambazon has been a forerunner in protecting the rainforest and its biodiversity for more than 20 years. 

It is this work that NextWorld Evergreen, a San Francisco-based investor providing growth capital to conscious consumer brands, has backed with a capital commitment of $45 million.

“We have seen excellent growth this year and are excited to have NextWorld joining us,” said Ryan Black, founder and CEO, Sambazon. “It is rare to find a firm that combines best in class consumer experience with a proven philanthropic track record. I have not seen an investment firm more committed to balancing profit and purpose.”

Founded in 2000 with a deep sense of purpose, Sambazon has a proprietary supply chain of certified organic and fair trade açaí, giving the company “full custody from the palm of the tree to the palm of the hands of the consumer” (Palm to Palm). 

Sambazon is the first third party certified Fair Trade Açaí company with 100 percent of its fruit certified as USDA Organic. It has a national presence with distribution across more than 25,000 locations, spanning natural and conventional grocery and club chains, a growing food-service business, retail stores, and strong international distribution to more than 45 countries. 

Its product line includes ready-to-eat Açaí bowls featuring 100 percent plant-based packaging, frozen superfruit packs and sorbet, energy drinks, juice, and frozen desserts including vegan chocolate Açaí Bites – and a portion of its sales are reinvested back into the local farming communities supplying its fruit, supporting thousands of family farmers. 

In just the past year, Sambazon saw 20 percent growth, and has successfully launched its new ready-to-eat Açai bowl as well as their new scalable Açai Bowl Shop retail concept. In addition, the company released its critically acclaimed documentary entitled,  “Seeding Change -The Power of Conscience Commerce” which explores social entrepreneurship and environmental sustainability in the organic industry, boosting its brand awareness, and driving a rapid expansion into international markets and new distribution channels.

Sambazon’s business model aligns well with NextWorld’s mission to grow conscious consumer brands that practice transparency and accountability to both the planet and all who inhabit it. To accomplish this, NextWorld Evergreen takes a holistic approach, providing not only capital, but intangible efforts such as time and patience, while making ESG initiatives a key part of its strategic planning. 

NextWorld Evergreen typically makes minority or majority investments in industry innovators with revenues between $10 million-$100 million in the food and beverage, personal care and beauty, pet products, health & wellness, restaurants, or retail sectors, with the fund’s 100-year structure allowing for flexible investments that can work beyond traditional private equity. 

Under the terms of this investment, NextWorld partner David Fife will be joining the Sambazon board of directors.

Fife commented “We are proud to join with the Sambazon team for the next phase of the Company’s growth. Sambazon is a market leader built around a deep sense of purpose, innovative açaí products, a large addressable global market and a long-term commitment to leveraging their strong growth in the CPG marketplace to build a larger omni channel brand.”

– Lynda Kiernan is editor with GAI Media, and is managing editor and daily contributor for Global AgInvesting’s AgInvesting Weekly News and  Agtech Intel News, as well as HighQuest Group’s Oilseed & Grain News. She can be reached at lkiernan@globalaginvesting.com.