When it comes to investing, the cost can often be steep. And sometimes, it is Steeped. Which is to say, you can invest in Steeped Coffee. The single-serve bagged coffee brand is on the grow and seeking funding from the public in hopes of raising $5 million.
In a press release about the latest round of funding, the Best New Product winner at the 2019 SCA Expo announced that they tapped private investing platform Republic (which is a fancy way of saying crowdfunding site), where they are opening up investment opportunities to the general public. The goal for Steeped, a certified B Corporation, is to raise $5 million, with funding increments as low as $100 all the way up to $250,000.
“We strive to find new solutions to old problems, to be a light on a hill, to honor and value every relationship, and to set new standards of doing Business Without Compromise,” says [Steeped founder and CEO Josh] Wilbur. “At Steeped Coffee, we pay attention to every detail to bring people the most convenient, high-quality, ethically sourced, and sustainably packaged products available. Our entire company ethos is focused on how we can be good stewards of the planet and to love people. We want to make specialty coffee more accessible to anyone, anywhere.”
This is not the first time Steeped has worked with Republic. Back in 2022, the brand reached it $5 million goal on the platform in just 48 hours, thanks to the backing of over 4,800 investors. With this latest campaign, Steeped hopes to scale up by investing in sales and marketing and “further fuel the company’s mission to make premium coffee accessible to anyone, anywhere, without the need for machines or the environmental impact of traditional pods.”
It is important to note that investment via Republic doesn’t instantly lead to equity in the company. Investors receive what is known at a Crowd SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity), an investment term proprietary to Republic. A Crowd SAFE can become equity in the company if a “triggering event” happens, an IPO or an acquisition for example. If the triggering event does occur, the amount of equity one receives is based on the amount invested and the valuation cap, which for Steeped this round is $38 million.
The current investment deadline is April 26th, 2024.
So if you’re looking to get a little splashy with your money in hopes that it blooms, check out Steeped. For more information on the investment terms, visit Steeped Coffee’s Republic page.
Zac Cadwalader is the managing editor at Sprudge Media Network and a staff writer based in Dallas. Read more Zac Cadwalader on Sprudge.
