The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry

FoodNerd, a Buffalo-based food start-up focused on nutrient-dense snacks for toddlers, has closed a $7.5 million Series Seed round led by Selva Ventures.

The new capital will support FoodNerd’s upcoming commercial launch on 17 February and accelerate its mission to raise the bar for children’s nutrition in a category long dominated by highly processed options.

Founded by parents and built with a science-forward approach, FoodNerd is best known for its flagship product, Mega Puffs, toddler-friendly snacks formulated with whole food ingredients such as sprouted seeds and real fruits and vegetables.

Depending on the SKU, each serving delivers 6-9g of plant-based protein and 7-8g of dietary fibre, a nutritional profile that significantly exceeds most conventional toddler snacks.

At the core of FoodNerd’s product development is its proprietary Nutrient Lock Cold Processing technology. The process is designed to preserve key phytonutrients and macronutrients that are often lost during traditional high-heat manufacturing, allowing the company to deliver clean-label snacks without sacrificing nutritional integrity.

The fresh capital will be used to scale manufacturing, expand distribution and invest in research and development as FoodNerd builds out its portfolio.

The financing also included participation from Spacestation Investments, S2 Venture Partners, Cistern Capital, and several strategic angel investors.

With its official launch set for mid-February, FoodNerd enters the market backed by experienced investors and a growing coalition of partners aligned around a shared vision: better food for kids, built for real life and long-term health.

As the company looks ahead, FoodNerd aims to challenge legacy assumptions in the kids’ snack aisle and help define a new standard for what early childhood nutrition can look like.

Top image: © FoodNerd