BOULDER, Colo., Jan. 10, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reflecting on the successes of 2018, Sunrise Strategic Partners, the largest investment fund on the Front Range focusing on food and beverage, recognizes two of its award-winning leadership teams.
Matt O’Hayer, founder and CEO of Vital Farms, along with Joel Clark and Cam Smith, co-founders of Kodiak Cakes, were awarded EY’s prestigious Entrepreneur Of The Year 2018 in the Consumer Products category. They were chosen by an independent judging panel made up of previous award winners, leading CEO’s, investors and regional business leaders.
Vital Farms is based in Austin and Matt O’Hayer was given the award in the Central Texas region. He created an entirely new category in the market by democratizing pasture-raised eggs and has led Vital Farms to over $100 million in revenue. Sunrise Strategic Partners became an equity partner in 2017, recognizing O’Hayer’s innovative leadership and commitment to a more sustainable food system would lead Vital Farms to unprecedented growth.
The team behind Park City based Kodiak Cakes was named Entrepreneur Of The Year 2018 in the Utah region. Co-founder and CEO Joel Clark, and co-founder and COO Cam Smith, have an incredible gift for product innovation and leading people. Their whole grain, protein packed baking mixes have invigorated a previously quiet category in the grocery store, and the brand is projected to do approximately $100 million in revenue this year. Sunrise Strategic Partners became an equity partner in 2016 and a day-to-day resource for the growing brand.
“These CEO teams are changing the way Americans eat, making healthy and sustainable food available and affordable,” said Steve Hughes, founder of Sunrise Strategic Partners. “Being named Entrepreneurs of the Year is a well-deserved honor and we are thrilled they are receiving public recognition for their years of hard work.”
About Sunrise Strategic Partners
Sunrise Strategic Partners, LLC ("Sunrise"), based in Boulder, Colorado, provides growth expertise and capital to differentiated and authentic emerging brands in the healthy, active and sustainable living space that resonate with Millennials, have a strong proof of concept, and need capital for growth. The Sunrise team is deeply experienced in scaling brands and supports these investments by adding strategic value and guidance on tactical priorities. Sunrise Strategic Partners was founded by Steve Hughes, founder of Boulder Brands, in partnership with Trilantic North America, a leading private equity firm. For more information, visit www.sunrisestrategicpartners.com
About Trilantic North America
Trilantic Capital Management L.P. ("Trilantic North America") is a private equity firm focused on control and significant minority investments in North America. Trilantic North America's primary investment focus is in the business services, consumer, and energy sectors. Trilantic North America currently manages six private equity fund families with aggregate capital commitments of $9.4 billion. For more information, visit www.trilanticnorthamerica.com.
Jenn McFerron Sloan
jenn@comodditiesinc.com