Ben Van Leeuwen, co-founder and CEO of Van Leeuwen Ice Cream.
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream has raised $18.7 million in a Series B funding round led by NextWorld, a San Francisco-based investment partnership.
Based in New York, Van Leeuwen makes a range of dairy and vegan ice creams that are sold in more than 2,000 stores across the US, including Whole Foods Market, Sprouts and Safeway.
The brand will use the capital to open new scoop shops and expand wholesale distribution.
“Thanks to NextWorld’s long-term vision and deep experience in consumer goods, we are excited to start the next chapter in our growth plan,” said Van Leeuwen co-founder and CEO, Ben Van Leeuwen.
“With several new products in the making, strong consumer demand, and a team of experienced professionals, Van Leeuwen is at an inflection point, poised to continue to grow and expand market share.”
Van Leeuwen’s dairy ice cream is made with milk, cream, cane sugar and egg yolks. Its vegan flavours are created with oat milk or cashew milk, coconut cream, coconut oil, cane sugar, cocoa butter and carob bean.
NextWorld has invested in the brand via its consumer-focused private equity fund, NextWorld Evergreen.
“We are excited to partner with the outstanding management team at Van Leeuwen and believe our evergreen fund, a patient and flexible capital source, will provide the company with the resources to continue building a strong, iconic brand,” said David Fife, partner of NextWorld, who will join the Van Leeuwen board.
“We love how the product is made with obsessively sourced ingredients and always free of unnecessary fillers, stabilisers and artificial flavours. The authenticity of the Van Leeuwen brand is something special.”
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