NextFoods $10M Series 3: ECP Growth backs wellness brands

NextFoods has closed a $10 million growth round to accelerate product development and distribution for its two science-driven consumer brands, Cheribundi and GoodBelly. The financing, announced by the company, was led by growth investor ECP Growth and is earmarked for innovation across gut health, recovery and sleep-focused SKUs as well as expanded retail placement and marketing.

Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, NextFoods operates at the intersection of functional nutrition and mainstream consumer packaged goods. Management says the new capital will be used to push forward a product roadmap that includes next-generation formulations and packaging designed for broader shelf penetration and improved unit economics.

Speaking on the round, CEO Marc Seguin said the funding will speed execution on both R&D and commercial fronts: expanding national distribution, launching new SKUs in high-growth wellness verticals and bolstering retailer partnerships. Seguin emphasised category momentum—consumers increasingly seek accessible, science-backed daily wellness solutions—and framed the round as a platform-level growth catalyst.

ECP Growth CEO Marcel Bens described the investment as a bet on resilient CPG brands that combine formulation expertise and retail DNA. The firm’s involvement reflects a wider trend: growth-stage investors are allocating capital to health-focused food and beverage makers that can scale omnichannel distribution and brand marketing.

NextFoods reports its products are currently available in over 20,000+ retail doors and online. That footprint gives the company a ready base to deepen household penetration while testing innovations through both direct-to-consumer channels and large grocery chains. The firm plans targeted marketing to convert trial into repeat purchase and to increase velocity at key accounts.

The functional food and beverage segment continues to attract capital as consumers prioritise preventive and performance-oriented nutrition. Industry trackers point to sustained mid-single to high-single-digit growth for many subcategories—gut health, recovery and sleep aids among them—making them attractive for growth equity and strategic buyers. Investors are also paying closer attention to gross margin expansion, supply-chain resilience and scalable go-to-market models.

Operationally, the fresh capital should allow NextFoods to speed product launches, invest in consumer research and amplify retailer collaborations. For the broader sector, the round underscores continued VC and growth-stage appetite for differentiated CPG brands that blend science-backed claims with mainstream distribution potential.