While vegans have their challenges when it comes to buying snacks that they can eat within the confines of their diet, it is becoming easier thanks to brands like HIPPEAS that make vegan snacks. The brand is growing due to a group of new investors. In fact, its revenue is expected to more than triple by the end of the year. Livio Bisterzo, CEO and cofounder of HIPPEAS, announced that one of the company’s new investors is actor Leonardo DiCaprio. He joins Strand Equity Partners in providing financial support to HIPPEAS.
Bisterzo said, “I’m truly excited that Strand Equity Partners and Leonardo have joined the HIPPEAS family. As the brand continues to grow with such momentum in the marketplace, it’s incredible to bring on board partners who align with our vision and values as a company.” Green Park is the company that makes HIPPEAS.
Leonardo DiCaprio Puts His Money Where His Mouth Is
Leonardo DiCaprio is an Academy Award winner as well as a film producer and activist. He strongly believes in protecting the planet. To support this cause, he established the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation in 1998. The organization’s goal focuses on biodiversity, climate change solutions and habitat conservation.
DiCaprio has received the Clinton Global Citizen Award as well as the World Economic Forum Crystal Award. He is even a UN Messenger of Peace for Climate. The actor serves on many environmental boards including the World Wildlife Fund, National Geographic’s Pristine Seas, Oceans 5, Natural Resources Defense Council and the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
Along with investing in HIPPEAS, DiCaprio recently invested in Love in the Wild, which is a sustainable seafood brand. The actor is using a portion of his financial resources to support companies that are producing products that are Earth friendly.
HIPPEAS Breaks New Ground
HIPPEAS is a new organic chickpea puff brand with a catchy hashtag, which is #GivePeasAChance, and a unique flavor. Not only is HIPPEAS a healthy snack, but it is also one that is run by people who believe in doing good for the Earth. According to the company, “tastes good” and “do good” are two viewpoints that complement each other. Because of this, HIPPEAS has established a partnership with Farm Africa, a charity that is doing what it can to end hunger while bringing wealth to Africa’s eastern rural region. The brand has promised to donate a portion of its sales to aid eastern African farmers. The company’s intention is to help these farmers grow their way out of poverty and aid their efforts in establishing a quality life, one that brings joy and is prosperous.
More than 20,000 stores in the United States and the United Kingdom sell HIPPEAS. Whole Foods, Starbucks, Safeway, Wegmans, Amazon, Safeway and Albertson’s are just a few of the places where people can buy the treat.
HIPPEAS are fluffy and crunchy, and they come with a major jolt of fiber and protein. The snack is low calorie. It is also organic and gluten-free. Snack fans will love that HIPPEAS are vegan, non-GMO and kosher. Since there are 4 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber in each 1-ounce, single-serve bag, the snack is satisfying and just the right amount. With the number of unhealthy snacks that are on the market, people are looking for options made from high-quality ingredients. HIPPEAS come in five tasty flavors, which include sriracha, white cheddar, fajita, pepper and barbecue.
Generating Millions in Wholesale
Bisterzo recently predicted that the company would generate $11 million in wholesale by the end of the year. Since he has launched two other brands, the entrepreneur has business experience and connections. This allowed him to get Green Park’s product onto store shelves quickly. In fact, the snack made its way into stores last year, earning Green Park $2.5 million in wholesale revenue.
Customers can buy a 1-ounce bag of the snack food from Starbucks for $1.95. According to the market research firm Rogue Thought Consulting, the average profit margin for this type of snack is 20 percent to 30 percent. Sales of snacks featuring alternative ingredients like chickpeas, kale, spinach and sweet potatoes increased by about 7 percent a year ago. In 2015, sales were around $1.03 billion, and last year, they grew to $1.1 billion. This year, sales of these kinds of treats are predicted to grow by about 8 percent. The numbers for just chickpea snacks rose by around 153 percent last year.
Livio Bisterzo is Changing the Health Foods Industry
Livio Bisterzo is a young entrepreneur from Italy. Today, he resides in Los Angeles with his wife and three kids. He lived in the UK for several years, and because he did, he was able to attend London’s University of the Arts. In 2003, Bisterzo started his first entrepreneurial business, which was an events company. Later, he expanded his business portfolio to include ventures in hospitality, consumer brands and lifestyle. Bisterzo’s vision is to bring positive change to the food and drink industry.
In 2015, Livio started Green Park Holdings, and it’s changing the health foods industry. The company is a food innovator, one that’s a part of the quickly growing nutrition and health sector. Green Park’s mission is to develop advanced multichannel food and beverages brands. Green Park launched HIPPEAS in 2016, and it is the company’s first brand. Livio said, “HIPPEAS has everything it takes to become the next globally loved snack brand. We truly believe that there is a great opportunity to revive this category by creating a premium, affordable, better-for-you proposition.”
Working for Change
With Leonardo DiCaprio investing in HIPPEAS, the brand has the backing from a serious environmental activist. The actor’s investment is also sure to bring attention to the brand. Since the company offers consumers a nutritional product that’s also tasty, it’s sure to be a success.
Related: Livio Bisterzo to convert Mayfair pub into Italian restaurant
