Bitsy’s, the mom-owned clean food and beverage brand co-founded by actress and activist Gabrielle Union, receives $1.34 million in funding from Fearless Fund, the first VC fund built by women of color, for women of color.
Founded by Union, Alex Buckley, and Maggie Patton, Bitsy’s is a brand on a mission to provide accessible, affordable and nutritious options for all kids and families. Inspired by a belief that it’s possible to improve the lives and well-being of families everywhere by creating healthy, delicious, budget, and kid-friendly options, Bitsy’s is working to build a more inclusive and thoughtful world for children, bit by bit. Buckley and Patton drew upon their backgrounds in the nonprofit sector to propel the brand forward and joined forces with Union after she became a devotee of the nutritious and tasty snack food for her own children. Union wanted to ensure that Bitsy’s could be offered to children and families on a wider level, ensuring access for anyone who wants to offer their kids flavorful, healthy options. With their tagline as “tasty junk-free snack time,” Bitsy has honed in on their focus to give people living in food deserts – often the locations of marginalized and underserved communities – easy and affordable access to high-quality family staples.
“As Co-Founder, I’m thrilled about Fearless Fund’s investment and how they will help fuel our growth at Bitsy’s. As we continue to grow, our goal is to create more opportunities for positive impact in every community. I’m grateful for a lead investor who champions women of color in business, and who believes in the importance of accessible, affordable snacks for all kids and their parents,” said Union. “Maggie, Alex and I share a vision to make a difference in the lives of kids and a mission to do what we can to create access to the product for those who may not otherwise have it. I co-founded this company to make better-for-you food accessible and affordable for all families, regardless of geography or socioeconomic status. It’s incredibly important to me that we reach marginalized and underserved communities and that they, too, have the option to provide their families with healthy alternatives,” Union continued. “On a mind level, Bitsy’s is a brand that stands for something, and on a body level, it’s a product you can feel good about feeding your family,” she said.
Bitsy’s is on a mission of taking traditionally seen “junk foods” and make them a healthy snack time … [+]
By using the investment to grow its strategic impact and and in partnership with Walmart, Bitsy’s will further its mission to empower more families with budget-friendly options and ensure that all children have equal access to eat healthy and dream big. “Bitsy’s has always seen the highest returns to the business when we spend the most energy trying to be better. The new resources will be allocated to growth not just in geography, but in taking the brand to the next level, allowing Bitsy’s to do the most good. The funding allows us to ask ‘what comes next’ and ‘what can we do better’ not just ‘what works today?’ At Bitsy’s the investment of human and financial capital is never just about at-all-costs growth, but rather in growth that changes the world for good, bit by bit,” said Patton.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Gabrielle Union and Bitsy’s for this investment,” says Arian Simone, General Partner and Co-Founder of Fearless Fund. “Fearless Fund’s mission is about supporting our communities from the ground up, and there’s no better way to do that than prioritizing the health and wellness of our children from the start. Bitsy’s is not only providing nutrition for our children from a young age but ensuring that all communities have access to and can afford the products as well.” Bitsy’s will use the investment to grow its strategic impact and reach more families, especially those who haven’t typically had healthier alternatives available. The brand has always seen the highest returns to the business – when we spend the most energy trying to be better. The new resources will be allocated to growth – not just in geography – but in taking the brand to the next level, allowing Bitsy’s to do the most good. The funding allows us to ask “what comes next” and “what can we do better” not just “what works today?”
Gabrielle Union with Bitsy’s Swish.
At Bitsy’s the investment of human and financial capital is never just about at-all-costs growth, but rather, growth that changes the world for good, bit by bit.