TBL Portfolio Company News - Archives

The idea that you can do good for society and the environment—and still make a healthy profit—is starting to catch on.

Even with a single bottom line—the raw pursuit of profit—first-time venture funds struggle to post positive returns. Add in a mandate to combine social good with financial gain, and odds of success would seem daunting enough to keep even the most risk-tolerant emerging manager from attempting a “double bottom line” approach.

Cover image: Laura Howard of Laloo's Goat Milk Icecream and Mark Finser of TBL Capital

Gaia Herbs

August 2008 - Solving the Milk Crisis with Lactate Support from Gaia Herbs

Lactate Support by Gaia Herbs came to me under the advice of a Whole Food Sales associate. Although initially I was going to get a big helping of Fenugreek, I was advised that this might work much better. I am glad I spent the extra $15 because it literally saved our breastfeeding problem of not having enough milk.  Not only does it have Fenugreek, a natural milk producer, but it also contains: Fennel Seed, Red Raspberry, Blessed Thistle, and Marshmallow Root.

2007 - Gaia Herbs Named AANP Corporation of the Year 2007

Gaia Herbs, Inc. received the "Corporation of the Year 2007" award at the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) annual conference in Palm Springs, CA.

October 2008 - TBL Capital Invests $3 Million in Gaia Herbs

TBL Capital announced today that it has invested $3 million in Gaia Herbs, a nationally branded manufacturer of botanical medicines. Since 1986, Gaia Herbs has established itself as the leading grower and producer of Certified Organic (COG) herbs and herbal products. The company’s commitment to certified organic herbs ensures product strength, purity, and efficacy.

BBased in Western North Carolina, the company cultivates 250 acres of medicinal herbs which, along with all operations at their 36,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility, are organically certified each year by Oregon Tilth under USDA’s National Organic Program.

More Information: Gaia Herbs Website

Numi Tea Company

August 2008 - Ode Magazine: Top 20 Organic Products that are good clean fun

Looking for an exciting way to spark conversation at your next dinner party? Consider Numi's "flowering" teas. Loose tea leaves are hand sewn into flower like clusters.

Latina Magazine - Chef LaLa dishes out some of her best kept secrets

"LaLa can’t live without these flowering teas that blossom in a glass Numi teapot. Low-cal and delicioso."

HHis is not the typical resume of a CEO whose company pulled in $12 million in revenues last year. Nor is his company typical. Rahim is the CEO and self-proclaimed alchemist of Numi Tea, the company he started with his sister, Reem, in her Oakland apartment in 1999.

B corporations are the latest innovation within the small world of companies with a social as well as financial mission. Such firms have banded together for decades in networking groups ... such as the Social Venture Network.

... B corporations must receive a passing grade on a long scorecard that covers environmental practices, employment practices, purchasing policies and whether their products are beneficial to society.

What is the change we seek?

Numi's vision is to inspire well-being of mind, body and spirit through the simple art of tea. Numi elevates the tea experience through innovation, quality, and a commitment to the environment and our global community. Numi hopes to educate and influence others to make a difference in their contribution to society. Numi is an organization that celebrates difference and creativity - a vibrant space that invites all to find their own thoughts and visions and take the tea transformation.

Numi in the News

Additional news coverage of Numi Tea.

TBL Capital has invested $1.8 million in NUMI Organic Tea of Oakland, CA, to fund the company’s expansion into new markets, accelerate new product development, round out the senior management team and support projected growth.

CleanFish

October 2008 - SVN Innovation Award Winner

A panel of 15 judges, including venture capitalists, socially responsible CEOs, academic and nonprofit leaders, selected twelve finalists from the applications that were received. After a final judging stage, they selected CleanFish as one of the winners.

August 2008 - Eco-Ocean Awards

Food and Wine Magazine recognizes CleanFish with their Eco-Ocean award.

August 2008 - Dining Around With Gene Burns

KGO 810 - Tim O'Shea, chairman, CEO and co-founder, Dale Sims, vice president and co-founder, and Polly Legendre, culinary director of CleanFish were featured on "Dining Around with Gene Burns," a popular food themed radio show on KGO 810

August 2008 - San Francisco Chronicle: CleanFish focuses on small and sustainable

TTim O'Shea wants to do for fish what Niman Ranch did for meat. Niman Ranch revolutionized the traditionally generic meat marketplace by creating a premium brand of natural beef, lamb and pork from small family ranches.

July 2008 - OZOLife covers introduction of Arctic Char

The char, a complex, deeply flavored member of the salmon family that’s only available for 6-8 weeks per year, was previously impossible to get in the lower 48 — but, thanks to CleanFish, will make an appearance on select five-star menus and in high end markets nationwide next week.

July 2008 - CleanFish announced the arrival of Fresh, Wild Nunavut Arctic Char

MarketWatch - CleanFish and its newest CleanFish Alliance member, the Inuit community of the Nunavut region of Canada, are offering fresh, wild arctic char across the United States for the first time.

July 2008 - Treehugger.com: CleanFish - Supplying Sustainable Seafood for All

CleanFish is dedicated to finding the cleanest, most sustainably produced fish and supplying it to restaurants and retailers.

March 2008 - CSRWire: TBL Capital invests in CleanFish

TBL Capital announced today that it has taken the lead position in a Series A equity financing round offered by CleanFish, Inc., the leading brand of sustainably cultivated and harvested seafood.

More Information: CleanFish Website

Better Energy Systems

September 2008 - Solio on Cover of MacDirectory

"How the Solio Hybrid Solar-powered Charger is saving the world, one consumer at a time."

September 2008 - Solio Awarded National Geographic's "Best of Gear"

The Solio Solar Charger can fuel up virtually any low-voltage portable directly from the sun.

September 2008 - WBFF (Baltimore, MD) Reviews Solio

"Ways to go green and save on energy costs." [Video]

August 2008 - Chicago Tribune Gadget Advisor

Gadget advisor covers Solio. "This is awesome." [Video: Solar Powered Charger]

August 2008 - Laptop Magazine Reviews Solio

The Solio Magnesium Edition is an excellent portable charger for outdoorsy types, business travelers, and anyone else who wants the option to go green.

July 2008 - CSRWire: TBL Capital Commits $5 Million to Better Energy Systems

TBL Capital announced today that it has committed nearly $5 million to Better Energy Systems, manufacturer of Solio, the world's best-known universal solar hybrid charger. Better Energy Systems is a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of renewable technologies for the 'eco-mobility' category, which the company pioneered.

More Information: Solio Website

Mission Research

September 2008 - PCWorld Reviews CircleDog

"If you've found yourself wishing your small business could use CRM software, but worried about its complexity, CircleDog may be just what you need."

August 2008 - BusinessWire: Missionomics Releases CircleDog

Missionomics today announced general availability of CircleDog for Windows, the first uncomplicated customer management software for small business. CircleDog offers contact and customer management, task and appointment scheduling, sales and customer reporting, team information sharing, and more in a powerful, easy-to-use desktop application.

April 2008 - Mission Research Launches the Next Generation of Fundraising Software 

Mission Research, developer of GiftWorks, the fastest growing fundraising software for nonprofits, announces the release of its latest technology to support fundraising throughout North America.

LANCASTER, PA – TBL Capital has invested $2 million in Mission Research, Inc, of Lancaster, PA, to fund the software company’s expansion into the Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) retail software market with SalesWorks, and continue its industry-leading growth in the nonprofit sector with GiftWorks Fundraising Software.

More Information: Mission Research Website

Laloo's

January 2009 - WSJ: Edible, Affordable Indulgences for 2009

Gourmet goat milk ice cream company Laloo's, also in Sonoma County, will introduce goat milk chocolate bars and vanilla goat milk ice cream sandwiches in March.

The chocolate bars will be available in black mission fig, chocolate cajeta (traditional Mexican caramel with toffee), rumplemint, capraccino (with espresso beans) and plain milk chocolate.

August 2008 - 1GreenProduct.com: Food - Laloo's Goat Milk Ice Cream

From a Green standpoint, we like the fact that LaLoo's has partnered with the Waterkeeper Alliance this summer to help fund the Alliance's efforts to protect watersheds and waterways from pollution.

August 2008 - Washingtonian: Laloo's goat's milk ice creams and yogurts are tasty and smooth.

Maybe more exciting than whimsical containers and non-artificial ingredients is that goat’s milk is naturally low in fat, with around five fat grams and 150 calories per quarter container. LaLoo’s says its ice cream has better digestibility than cow’s milk (it’s also lower in lactose) and its probiotics are similar to yogurt.

July 2008 - Laloo's receives coverage for Waterkeeper Alliance partnership

Bohemian.com - "Strange Sweetfellows: How Laloo's icecream can help clean our waterways."

If a pint of LaLoo's vanilla ice cream will help them fuel their boat, I see no reason not to get busy. While I may not be able to pilot a boat, at the very least I can always eat ice cream., and expand sales and marketing to support projected growth. 

June 2008 - Sante Magazine's Summer Issue Has "The Goods" on Extraordinary Ice Creams

Goat's milk ice cream is another cool trend. Because goat's milk is creamier then cows milk, the dairy doesn't have to add cream to produce an ultra premium ice cream. 

May 2008 - TBL Capital Invests $750,000 in Laloo's

TBL Capital announced that it has invested $750,000 in a Series A equity financing round in Laloo’s, Inc., the nation’s leading goat’s milk frozen dessert company. /p>

Laloo’s is the first nationally distributed goat’s milk ice cream company in the U.S. and is developing a brand platform to launch premium, artisan, and healthy functional food products. Laloo’s initial focus is frozen desserts including ice cream and frozen yogurt, with several offerings in the product development pipeline.