Kim K Joins Update, Cutting Horse Raises $75M 🐎

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CPG WIRE
February 26, 2026

GM and Happy Thursday, folks. Here’s what we’re covering this morning:

  • Contour Ridge bets on dates 💰

  • Archer scores $100M credit line 🥩

  • Momentous expands into fiber 💩

  • Esspo officially launches ☕️

  • No Bread PB&J delivers for MDS 📈

If you’re looking for a killer podcast to enjoy, check out Ross Mackay on Open Residency. Link here.

Deals 💰

Mergers & Acquisitions 

  • Contour Ridge, a San Antonio-based investment firm, announced a strategic partnership with Just Date, a Bay Area-based purveyor of of low-glycemic sweeteners and chocolate. Just Date was founded by Dr. Sylvie Charles Royston in 2016. Their products retail at Sprouts, Kroger, H-E-B, and Natural Grocers. Business Wire

Fundraising

  • Boston-based growth equity firm Cutting Horse secured $75M in capital commitments for its debut fund. The firm was founded by Michael Wystrach who sold Freshly to Nestlé for $1.5B in 2020, and Chris Protasewich who was a Principal at Highland Capital Partners. Cutting Horse is an investor in Promix, SuperTeeth, Feel Goods, and a number of other companies. Business Wire

  • Seaweed-powered beverage brand OoMee secured $5M in funding from its parent company, Aqua Theon. The company created an uncarbonated and vegan beverage line that supports digestion and helps curb cravings. OoMee retails at Raley's, Sprouts, and a handful of other regional chains. BevNET

  • Archer Meat Snacks scored a $100M line of credit from JPMorgan Chase & Co. The credit facility will enable Archer to invest in capacity as the company approaches $500M in sales this year. PR Newswire

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What’s New 🤩

Apparel, Cosmetics, and Wellness

  • Korean skincare brand COSRX released a new eye patch SKU called 5 PDRN Hydrogel Eye Patches. The new SKU will be available exclusively on TikTok Shop until March 31st. PR Newswire

  • Momentous dropped a triple-action fiber supplement called Fiber+. Each serving delivers 6g of fiber from rice bran, potato starch, and Psyllium husk. In addition to Unflavored, Fiber+ from Momentous also comes in Pure Cinnamon. Business Wire

  • Demetra Pinsent, the CEO of Charlotte Tilbury for the past 14 years, is officially exiting the business today. Pinsent originally joined Charlotte Tilbury from McKinsey. Puig acquired a majority stake in the brand for £1.3B in 2020. Business of Fashion

  • Hempz just revealed a drastic brand refresh. They ditched the cannabis-centric branding in favor of a brighter, more elevated look. They also added some tasteful fragrance cues. PR Newswire

Food, Beverage, and Alcohol

  • Kim Kardashian officially joined UPDATE as a co-founder. The paraxanthine-powered energy drink brand also reformulated its product, unveiled a refreshed brand identity, and is gearing up to launch at 4,000 Walmart doors early next month. If paraxanthine is on the cusp of going mainstream like creatine did a few years ago, then UPDATE stands to benefit. Instagram

  • Esspo is a new espresso soda brand co-founded by Philippe von Borries, Katharine Leitch, and Justin Stefano. The espresso soda was designed to sip like soda and hit like a cold brew. Esspo currently offers three flavors and each can delivers 120mg of caffeine and 240mg of L-Theanine. Prior to launching Esspo, Philippe von Borries and Justin Stefano co-founded Refinery29 and sold it to Vice Media for $400M in 2019. Esspo is backed by Sugar Capital and several angel investors. Esspo

  • Celebrity-led condiments brand Smash Kitchen expanded into salty snacks with a line of non-GMO kettle chips. The company launched four flavors that are available at 4,000 Walmart stores. Smash Kitchen also plans on expanding its salty snacks portfolio with organic tortilla chips and popcorn. Sporked

  • Firehook and Ithaca Hummus collaborated on a limited-edition French Onion cracker. The new flavor is available on Amazon and at select retailers across the country. In addition to Ithaca Hummus, Firehook has also released collabs with Graza, Fly By Jing, and TRUFF as it aims to connect with younger consumers. PR Newswire

  • Oakridge Dairy is launching a canned A2 milk brand called Moozy at Expo West next week. The branding is excellent, especially for a dairy brand. Solid flavors too. Twitter

  • Protein ice cream brand Natty is releasing two new flavors soon: Strawberry Swirl and Mint Cookies & Cream. Instagram

  • Rally is a new electrolyte-infused pickle shot brand. The product is designed to combat cramps and support hydration. The retro branding is a nice touch and looks more premium than anything else in the space. Rally

Data 🖥️

  • Mooski is reportedly the fastest-growing refrigerated bar brand in the natural channel. Their largest retail partner is currently Fresh Thyme Market but Mooski is set to debut at a major mass retailer later this year. Forbes

  • According to a LinkedIn post from co-founder Jake Karls, the No Bread PB&J from Mid-Day Squares has become their top-selling SKU across their whole portfolio. Even more impressive, the No Bread PB&J only launched at Target in early January. LinkedIn

  • Austin-based whiskey producer Still Austin surpassed 100,000 cases in 2025. Case depletions also jumped 45% year-over-year. Business Wire

Distribution News 🚚