VO/D Reshapes Celebrity Product Ventures with New Funding
New York, NY – VO/D, a company focused on transforming celebrity-led ventures into sustainable brands, has closed a $5 million Series A funding round led by private-equity firm KarpReilly. This round attracted notable investors, including NFL stars Saquon Barkley and Odell Beckham Jr.
Founded by CEO Chris Koch in 2021, VO/D’s unique approach prioritizes product viability before pairing it with celebrity endorsements. Koch explains, “Our goal is for talent to act as an amplification tool rather than the primary draw for consumers.” The company initially entered the market with freeze-dried candy and is expanding into protein and supplements, planning additional products for 2024.
The recent funding will enhance VO/D’s growth strategy, which already boasts impressive numbers. The candy brand 1UP Candy, launched in partnership with gaming influencer FaZe Rug, has quickly scaled to over 12,000 retail locations in the U.S., racking up over $10 million in revenue over the past year.
Koch emphasizes that VO/D is not a conventional celebrity product studio. Instead, it aims for a robust portfolio of brands that offer diverse consumer experiences—something that appealed to the investors. This innovative thinking reflects a shift in how celebrity brands are perceived, focusing on authenticity and market fit.
Upcoming products include Frosh, a protein-juice brand for kids; Joose, a fruity protein supplement; and Stealth, protein snacks for children. The specific celebrities associated with these new ventures have yet to be revealed, but the company’s strategy is positioning it for future success in the competitive consumer goods marketplace.
With an eye toward innovation, VO/D is poised to redefine the relationship between celebrities and the brands they endorse, creating products that resonate with real consumer needs.
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