Oddball raises US$2M in seed funding to expand its footprint
The additional seed funding will accelerate product distribution and marketing efforts, helping the company expand to a broader retail audience while investing in product innovation.
USA – Oddball, a New York-based plant-based food startup, has raised US$2 million in a seed funding round led by Springdale Ventures to scale its innovative line of plant-based jelly snacks.
Founded by Sophia Cheng in 2022, Oddball aims to reinvent traditional gelatin-based snacks by replacing animal-derived gelatin with vegan ingredients such as agar and carob bean.
This approach creates a clean-label, nutritious, and flavorful snack that draws inspiration from Asian eating principles and childhood memories.
Sophia Cheng, who launched Oddball from her kitchen, wanted to offer a healthier alternative to conventional jellies that are often highly processed and laden with artificial ingredients.
The brand focuses on delivering real fruit purees and juices without artificial flavors or colors, keeping snacks under 50 calories.
Oddball’s products appeal to health-conscious consumers seeking convenient, on-the-go options that combine nostalgia with modern dietary preferences.
Since its inception, Oddball has gained traction in local farmers’ markets, specialty stores like Pop Up Grocer, and online platforms.
The additional seed funding will accelerate product distribution and marketing efforts, helping the company expand to a broader retail audience while investing in product innovation.
Investors in the round include key figures from various industries, underlining confidence in Oddball’s potential to disrupt the US$6.5 billion gelatin snack market dominated by legacy brands such as Jell-O.
Cheng highlighted that Oddball is not just a snack brand but a commitment to democratizing healthy food by breaking the mold of traditional gelatin snacks with a vegan, superfood-packed alternative.
The company is distinct in being one of the few woman- and immigrant-founded CPG brands in the US to raise significant pre-seed and seed capital, reflecting growing support for diverse founders in the food tech space.
Oddball is well positioned to capitalize on rising consumer demand for plant-based snacks that are both tasty and aligned with clean-eating trends.
With its innovative product formulations and recent infusion of funding, Oddball is well poised to gain a foothold in the growing market for healthy and ethical snacks, challenging entrenched gelatin products with its unique, Asian-inspired jelly creations.
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