Ancient Pioneers

Honoring the past. Leading the future.

Jillian Michaels

Personal Trainer and Fitness Expert; Founder, Empowered Media

Jillian Michaels

Personal Trainer and Fitness Expert; Founder, Empowered Media

“Our bodies were designed and intended for high performance and thus require proper food to power this performance. People are increasingly recognizing the need for real food nutrition to nourish their bodies and this is what I envision for the future of the food landscape. I am so excited to see brands like Ancient Nutrition paving the way towards convenient, nutritionally rich foods that refresh and fuel our bodies.”

Michael Kirban

Co-Founder and CEO, Vita Coco

Michael Kirban

Co-Founder and CEO, Vita Coco

“Ancient Nutrition is providing consumers with the real food nutrition that they are actively seeking, while still offering great convenience. I am thrilled to be a part of the Ancient Pioneers network and am excited for all that is in store for the brand as they continue to grow and evolve.”

Gary Hirshberg

Co-Founder and Chairman, Stonyfield Farm

Gary Hirshberg

Co-Founder and Chairman, Stonyfield Farm

“Ancient Nutrition’s products deliver ancient nutrients to a modern world. I am thrilled to support Ancient Nutrition as they bring their mission of real food nutrition to more people.”

John Foraker

Former CEO, Annie's Homegrown; Co-Founder and CEO, Once Upon a Farm

John Foraker

Former CEO, Annie's Homegrown; Co-Founder and CEO, Once Upon a Farm

“The Ancient Pioneers network brings together industry veterans and leaders to support Ancient Nutrition and the brand’s exponential growth. I am proud to be involved and am excited to see what the next chapter holds for Ancient Nutrition as the brand continues to develop and expand.”

Scott Semel

Founder and Former CEO, BarkTHINS

Scott Semel

Founder and Former CEO, BarkTHINS

“Ancient Nutrition is marrying historical traditions with modern world convenience to provide real food nutrition. I am thrilled to join the community of the Ancient Pioneers to support the brand in its next chapter.”

Justin Gold

Founder, Justin's

Justin Gold

Founder, Justin's

“Building community and support for emerging brands is essential to success. I’m excited to be a part of the Ancient Pioneers network with some of the best in our industry”

Casey Carl

Former Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, Target

Casey Carl

Former Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, Target

“Ancient Nutrition is providing innovative and functional real food nutrition that appeals to consumers seeking both nutrients and convenience. The brand is positioned for incredible growth and I am excited to be a part of the Ancient Pioneers network to witness Ancient Nutrition’s continued evolution and expansion.”

Steven Spinner

Chairman and CEO, UNFI

Steven Spinner

Chairman and CEO, UNFI

“As a distributor, I view the better-for-you market from a unique perspective and believe that there is a balance between products that have a narrow, niche run and those that provide meaningful, long-term value. I see tremendous long-term value in the Ancient Nutrition product line and am thrilled to support the brand and its continued growth as a part of the Ancient Pioneers network.”

Hass Hassan

Founder and CEO, Alfalfa's Markets; Founder and Chairman, Fresh and Wild Markets; Former President, Wild Oats; Former Board Member, Whole Foods Market

Hass Hassan

Founder and CEO, Alfalfa's Markets; Founder and Chairman, Fresh and Wild Markets; Former President, Wild Oats; Former Board Member, Whole Foods Market

“Ancient Nutrition is growing incredibly fast due to the quality, real food nutrition, provided by the product line that fulfill a need consumers are actively seeking. I’m very glad to be a part of the Ancient Pioneers network, alongside exceptional company of industry leaders, to support the brand in its next steps.”

Tara Burkley

Strategic Business Development Director, New Hope

Tara Burkley

Strategic Business Development Director, New Hope

“I’ve known Jordan for years and have seen his ability to truly help people by being vulnerable and sharing his personal story. What attracted me to Ancient Nutrition and joining the Ancient Pioneers network was the authenticity of the brand and the amazing team, accompanied by the impressive research and quality of the product. This brand has the power to positively impact so many consumers.”

Bill Keith

Founder and CEO, Perfect Bar

Bill Keith

Founder and CEO, Perfect Bar

“Ancient Nutrition provides all of the benefits of homemade bone broth in an easy, ready-to-mix form, thus delivering both nutrients and convenience. I am excited about the future of the company and am honored to be involved as a member of the Ancient Pioneers network. Jordan and I are longtime friends and I have had the pleasure of seeing his success firsthand over the years; I think Ancient Nutrition is his best work yet”

Andrew Friedman

Founder, Amplify Snack Brands / SkinnyPop Popcorn

Andrew Friedman

Founder, Amplify Snack Brands / SkinnyPop Popcorn

“Through my relationship with VMG Partners, I am so glad to have been connected with Ancient Nutrition and this co-investor group network of Ancient Pioneers.”

Koel Thomae

Co-Founder, Noosa Yoghurt

Koel Thomae

Co-Founder, Noosa Yoghurt

“It is inspiring to witness how our community has joined together to form the Ancient Pioneers network. I am thrilled to be a part of this group and very excited to watch Ancient Nutrition progress as the company reaches more consumers with real food nutrition.”

All of Our Ancient Pioneers

Investors who share our vision of honoring the past and leading the future of real food nutrition.

Tom Aarts

Co-Founder, Nutrition Business Journal and NBJ Summit

Andrew Abraham

Founder and CEO, Orgain

Suleman Ali

Founder, Ali Capital; Board Member, Native Co.

Moiz Ali

Founder and CEO, Native Co.; Founder, Ali Capital

Rakesh Amin

Partner, Amin Talati Upadhye

Meghan Asha

CEO, FounderMade Fund

Brad Barnhorn

Leading Board Member in the Food/Beverage Space (Krave, Kevita, Chameleon Cold-Brew, Simple Mills, Health Warrior, Fishpeople, among others)

Keith Belling

Co-Founder, Chairman and Former CEO, Pop Chips

Lonna Borden

Former CFO, Justin's and IZZE Beverage Company

Justin Brown

Vice President of Business Development, Infinity Worlds, Inc.

Chad Bugos

Founder and President, Infinity Worlds, Inc.

Tara Burkley

Strategic Business Development Director, New Hope

Dave Burwick

Former CEO, Peets Coffee & Tea; CEO, The Boston Beer Company

Ryan Caldbeck

Founder and CEO, CircleUp

Casey Carl

Former Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, Target

Filipp Chebotarev

COO / Partner, Cambridge Companies SPG

Polina Chebotareva

Managing Partner, Cambridge Companies SPG

Giancarlo Chersich

CEO, Lucky Jack Cold Brew Coffee

Joel Clark

CEO, Kodiak Cakes

Bob Daub

Senior Vice President, The Moscoe Group

Joe DiSalvo

Managing Partner, The DiSalvo Group PLLC

Andrew East

NFL Athlete

Shawn Johnson East

Olympic Gold Medalist

Shawn Edwards

Managing Director, Mindsight

David Eisenman

Co-Founder and CEO, Madwell

Joe Ennen

CEO, SunOpta; Former CEO, Columbus Foods

Karen Farrell

Natural Director of Brand Management-NBC, Presence Marketing/Dynamic Presence

Chris Fenster

Founder and CEO, Propeller Industries

Bob Ferraro

Co-Founder, Lantana Foods

Michelle Finizio

Chief Revenue Officer and Head of Partnerships, FounderMade

Kelly Flatley

Founder, Bear Naked Granola

John Foraker

Former CEO, Annie's Homegrown; Co-Founder and CEO, Once Upon a Farm

Adam Francis

CEO, Sun Bum

Ari Friedland

Angel Investor; Former Head of Business Development, Uber; Former Head of Strategic Partnerships, Dropbox

Andrew Friedman

Founder, Amplify Snack Brands / SkinnyPop Popcorn

Nilam Ganenthiran

Chief Business Officer, Instacart

Matt Gase

CEO, Lantana Foods; Former CEO, Stubb's Legendary Bar-B-Q Sauce

Sabina Gault

CEO, Konnect Agency

Anubhav Goel

Executive Vice President of Client Growth Solutions, SPINS

Justin Gold

Founder, Justin's

Joey Gonzalez

CEO, Barry's Bootcamp

Leah Gootkind

National Brand Manager, Presence Marketing/Dynamic Presence

Ben Greenfield

CEO, Kion; Human Performance and Nutrition Consultant

Ryan Gutzmer

Partner and CEO, The Creative Partners Group

Taylor Hamilton

Owner, Tunies

Hass Hassan

Founder and CEO, Alfalfa's Markets; Founder and Chairman, Fresh and Wild Markets; Former President, Wild Oats; Former Board Member, Whole Foods Market

Lewis Hershkowitz

President and CEO, Big Geyser, Inc.

Gary Hirshberg

Co-Founder and Chairman, Stonyfield Farm

William Hood

Founder and Managing Director, William Hood & Company

Jim Hornthal

Parallel Entrepreneur; Angel Investor; Former Board Member, KIND Snacks

Brian Howard

Partner, The DiSalvo Group PLLC

Bryan Jaffe

Managing Director and Head of Consumer Investment Banking, Cascadia Capital

Erica Jones MHS

Co-Founder, Elevays.com

Dr. Isaac Jones

Co-Founder, Elevays.com

Bill Keith

Founder and CEO, Perfect Bar

Michael Kirban

Co-Founder and CEO, Vita Coco

Dan Klock

CEO, Bridgetown Natural Foods

Greg Koch

Co-Founder and Executive Chairman, Stone Brewing

Ruth Kreiger

Managing Director and Co-Founder, Black Bamboo

Janica Lane

Managing Director, Piper Jaffray & Co.

Chris Lansing

CEO, Nature's Bakery; Former General Manager of Premium Nutrition & Venturing, PepsiCo

Ben Lee

Managing Director, CircleUp Growth Partners

Brian Lee

Co-Founder and Former CEO, The Honest Company

Carl Lee

Former President and CEO, Snyder's Lance, Inc.; Managing Partner and CEO, Arbel Growth Partners

Mark Leets

CFO, LBI Entertainment

Ido Leffler

Co-Founder, Yoobi, Yes To and Brandless.com

Michelle Lobo

Vice President of Nutrition Body Care, Presence Marketing/Dynamic Presence

William Madden III

Co-Founder, Whole Brain Consulting

Meena Mansharamani

CEO, Maya Kaimal Fine Indian Foods; Former Managing Director, North America Go-Go SqueeZ

Monica McGurk

Chief Global Growth Officer at Kellogg

TJ McIntyre

CEO of Bobo’s

Jillian Michaels

Personal Trainer and Fitness Expert; Founder, Empowered Media

Tracy Miedema

Vice President of Innovation and Brand Development, Presence Marketing/Dynamic Presence

Jane Miller

Former CEO, Rudi’s Organic Bakery

Spencer Millerberg

Managing Partner, One Click Retail

Blake Mitchell

Principal, Interact Boulder

Shaun Neff

Founder, NEFF; Partner, Beach House Group; Investor and Board Member, Sun Bum

Pam Netzky

Co-Founder, Amplify Snack Brands /SkinnyPop Popcorn

Brad Oberwager

Founder and CEO, Jyve; Chairman and Founder, Sundia; Former CEO and Owner, Bare Snacks

Michael Olguin

President and CEO, Havas Formula

Tony Olson

Owner and CEO, SPINS

Gil Oren

Co-Founder, Lantana Foods

Santosh Padki

CEO, Bare Snacks

Christine Perich

Chief Financial and Strategy Officer, Craft Brew Alliance; Former President, Perich Advisors; Former CEO, WTRMLN WTR and New Belgium Brewing Company

John B. Phillips

Managing Director, Bentley Associates

Justin Prochnow

Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig

Mark Rampolla

Founder, ZICO; CEO, Beanfields

Courtney Reum

Co-Founder, M13; Co-Founder and Former CEO, VEEV Spirits

Carter Reum

Co-Founder, M13; Co-Founder and Former CEO, VEEV Spirits

Tyler Ricks

President, Noah's New York Bagels; Former CMO and VP of Sales, Plum Organics

Tom Rinks

Sun Bum Founder/President

Bob Rubin

President at Therabis; Former CEO, Solid Gold

Alison Ryu

Managing Director, CircleUp Growth Partners

Kenneth Sadowsky

Beverage Industry Expert with Advisory and Directorial positions at brands including Glaceau Vitaminwater, Vita Coco, Hint Water, Bai Brands and more

Katy Saeger

CEO, Harmonica

Kristina Schnieder

Key Account Executive, Presence Marketing/Dynamic Presence

Jon Sebastiani

Founder and CEO, Sonoma Brands; Founder of KRAVE, SMASHMALLOW and ZÜPA NOMA

Scott Semel

Founder and Former CEO, BarkTHINS

Joe Serventi

General Manager, Hippeas; Former EVP of Corporate Development, BarkTHINS and Pirate Brands

Greg Shearson

CEO, Ancient Nutrition, Former CEO, Merrick Natural Petworks

Craig Shiesley

Former President at Amplify Snack Brands, Former President at Vega, and Former President of North American Plant Based Beverages and Foods Division at WhiteWave Foods

Mo Siegel

Founder and Former Chairman, President, and CEO, Celestial Seasonings; Former Board Member, Whole Foods Market, Annie's, Breathe Right, NorthWest Nutritionals (Lil Critters), and others; Current Board Member, Chocolove, Wholesome Sweeteners, Colorado Impact Fund, Himalayan Cataract Project, and more

Jeremy Smith

Founder and CEO, Launchpad

Steven Spinner

Chairman and CEO, UNFI

Jill Staib

Managing Director & Partner, William Hood & Company; Former VP of Strategic Initiatives, The Nature's Bounty Co.

Sheila Stanziale

Former CEO, Mighty Leaf Tea; Former President, US Infant/Toddler Feeding, The Hain-Celestial Group; Former President and General Manager, Diageo-Guinness USA