Editor's note: This is one of 10 companies profiled by DC Inno for its annual Startups to Watch feature. Go here to see all of this year's honorees and learn more about the young, promising companies poised to shake up the region's innovation community.
About the company: Sweetkiwi Holdings, founded in 2019 by Ehime Eigbe, is a Northwest D.C.-based startup that is working to bridge the gap between what it describes as functional nutrition and great taste. The company creates low-calorie, nutrient-dense frozen treats with a holistic approach that’s been backed by clinical research. Its hero product is a “whipped Greek yogurt” that contains eight times more fiber, five times more protein, six times fewer calories, and five times less sugar than the average ice cream brand. Sweetkiwi has five full-time employees and has raised over $1.5 million in funding, with a seed round currently underway. It’s generating annual revenue of more than $1 million and its products can be found at Giant, MOM’s Organic Market, Walmart and Whole Foods Market locations, among others.
Why we’re watching: Sweetkiwi earlier this year announced a collaboration with Snoop Cereal, a division from Broadus Foods, for a frozen yogurt product that will be sold nationally in 7-Eleven stores. The startup has also secured a license to create frozen treats for the Smurfs merchandising brand. The company originally made headlines when it landed a $250,000 investment deal on ABC’s “Shark Tank,” valuing it at more than $2.4 million. Its frozen products can now be found in major retail stores across the nation and it has big plans to expand throughout the country this year.
Quotable: “Our vision for 2024 is to expand our reach nationwide, empowering consumers to indulge guilt-free while supporting their wellness journey and partner with more brands that share our same values.” — Ehime Eigbe, CEO
The basics
- Founder: Ehime Eigbe
- Founded: 2019
- Headquarters: D.C.
- Full-time employees: 5
- Total funding: $1.5 million
- Annual revenue: Over $1 million