Jason Starr

Chief Executive Officer

2023 - Current

Awakened Foods is revolutionizing snacking and the health of our country by providing healthier, natural, better for you and better for the world options across the spectrum of snacks. Awakened Foods consists of a family of consumer brands including Free to Eat, B. Fine Foods, and Ka-pop! Snacks and a co-manufacturing company Awakened Foods Crafters.

Founder, Managing Director

2017

Consumer Ventures invests in and focuses on the exciting market of innovative, emerging consumer brands with high growth potential. We back passionate, inspired entrepreneurs with big ideas and look for opportunities where we can provide value beyond capital. Consumer Ventures invests across multiple stages of growth, preferring opportunities to "reinvest in success" i.e. continue to invest in the best companies in our portfolio across multiple rounds. We also like to co-invest with great partners to bring the best resources to companies to help them achieve success. To view more about our firm and the companies we've invested in, please visit http://consumer.vc/ PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY FOCUSED ON WORKING WITH AND CONTINUING TO INVEST IN OUR EXISTING PORTFOLIO OF COMPANIES AND ARE NOT MAKING ANY NEW INVESTMENTS AT THIS TIME

Board of Directors

2019

Murphy’s Naturals is a veteran owned business and a certified B Corp that creates products made from responsibly sourced, plant-based ingredients. Murphy’s leaves out all of the chemicals and toxins and instead focuses on providing amazing, earth-friendly products that help others and their communities.

Mentor

2019

The Food Foundry is a Chicago-based growth accelerator program by Relish Works built in partnership with Gordon Food Service and 1871. The Food Foundry supports, connects, and propels innovative startups who are reimagining the food industry.

Member / Mentor

2019

Polsky Exchange Mentor

2017

I am a mentor to students, start-ups, and New Venture Challenge teams through the Polsky Exchange / Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (the University of Chicago incubator). Members of the Polsky Exchange can sign up for my office hours through the Polsky Center.

Head of Funds

2016 - 2016

I led the management of the CircleUp family of private equity funds and the direct investment of capital from those funds into businesses on the CircleUp platform.

Board of Directors (Observer)

2016 - 2016

Rhythm Superfoods was an investment made by CircleUp (as part of a round led by 301 INC / General Mills).

Member of the Board of Directors

2015 - 2015

Diono was an investment made by Winona Capital.

Board of Directors

2015 - 2015

Fat Brain Toys was an investment made by Winona Capital. Fat Brain Toys was acquired by TOMY International.