A Growing Focus on Consumer Brands
As the world becomes increasingly aware of the importance of living a healthy lifestyle, startups that cater to this growing demand are receiving more attention from venture capital firms. Selva Ventures, a Los Angeles-based VC firm founded in 2019 by Kiva Dickinson, is one such example. The company has just closed on $34 million in capital commitments for its second fund, which will invest in consumer brands promoting healthier living across the areas of health, wellness, beauty, and personal care.
A History of Investing in Healthier Living
Dickinson, the managing partner at Selva Ventures, has a background in investment banking and private equity. He started his career covering a mix of consumer and private equity firms before moving to San Francisco to invest in consumer retail, internet, and digital media at TPG Capital.
Inspiration for Founding Selva Ventures
Dickinson’s inspiration for starting Selva Ventures came from his own experiences as an individual looking for healthier living options. He recalled visiting Whole Foods on his way home and discovering amazing brands that made healthy living easier and more fun. However, he realized that these companies weren’t receiving the investment they deserved.
Joining CircleUp
This experience motivated Dickinson to join CircleUp in 2017, where he helped build up the portfolio to 16 companies, including leading Series B investments in Nutpods and Liquid I.V. He left CircleUp in 2018, wanting to invest at an earlier stage.
Selva Ventures’ First Fund
Selva Ventures invests in companies at the seed and Series A stages and assists with resources across finance, operations, and retail partnerships. Their first fund was a $10 million vehicle that went into 14 companies, including coffee alternative MUD\WTR, pet supplements brand Native Pet, functional chocolate brand Mid-Day Squares, and sexual wellness company Cake.
The Need for Resources at an Earlier Stage
Dickinson explained that in the world of seed and Series A investing, there wasn’t a go-to investor providing later-stage resources at an earlier stage. This is where Selva Ventures aims to fill the gap by providing resources and insights to founders early on, so their companies don’t outgrow them.
Structured Offering for Founders
The firm’s offering has been structured based on what Dickinson and principal Madeline Kaplan have seen other firms provide and what kind of outcomes are most meaningful to founders along the way. This means that Selva Ventures provides resources and support to its portfolio companies from an early stage, enabling them to grow without outgrowing their investors.
Second Fund: A Focus on Healthier Living
The second fund’s focus is on investing in consumer brands promoting healthier living across various areas. With $34 million in capital commitments, Selva Ventures is well-positioned to support startups that are making a positive impact on people’s lives.
A Growing Trend in the Industry
As consumers become more aware of the importance of healthy living, startups catering to this demand will continue to receive attention from venture capital firms. Selva Ventures’ second fund is an example of this growing trend, and we can expect to see more investment in healthier living startups in the coming years.
Conclusion
Selva Ventures has raised $34 million for its second fund, focusing on investing in consumer brands promoting healthier living across various areas. With a background in investment banking and private equity, Kiva Dickinson is well-positioned to identify opportunities in this growing market. As consumers become more aware of the importance of healthy living, we can expect to see more investment in startups catering to this demand.
About Selva Ventures
Selva Ventures is a Los Angeles-based venture capital firm that invests in consumer brands promoting healthier living across various areas, including health, wellness, beauty, and personal care. The company’s second fund has received $34 million in capital commitments, positioning it well for future investments in the growing market of healthier living startups.
About Kiva Dickinson
Kiva Dickinson is the managing partner at Selva Ventures. He has a background in investment banking and private equity, having worked with TPG Capital before co-founding Selva Ventures. Dickinson’s experience in identifying opportunities in the consumer space makes him an ideal investor for startups catering to the growing demand for healthier living options.
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