Ultra Violette Lands $15M ☀️

Author

CPG WIRE
January 25, 2024

GM and Happy Thursday, folks. Here’s what we’re covering in today’s rather short newsletter:

  • Bridgepoint buys RoC Skincare 💰

  • Jupiter raises $3M 📈

  • California Naturals x Owen Wilson 👀

  • Evergreen unveils brand refresh 🧇

Ultra Violette Lands $15M ☀️

Aria Growth Partners, a consumer-focused growth equity firm that’s backed Hero Cosmetics, LesserEvil Snacks, The Inkey List, and others, has invested $15M AUD into Ultra Violette, a popular Australian suncare brand.

Founded in 2019 by Rebecca Jefferd and Ava Chandler-Matthews — both alums of luxury beauty retailer MECCA — Ultra Violette has carved out a niche for itself in the crowded suncare category by combining nourishing skincare ingredients with the protection of SPF.

One of Ultra Violette’s best-selling products, for example, offers SPF 50+ protection along with hydrating ingredients like Kakadu plum, a native Australian plant that has 50x more vitamin C than an orange.

Despite being a youngish brand, Ultra Violette has had global ambitions from the get-go. They already have a fast-growing retail presence in the U.K. — including Liberty, Harrods, Space NK, and others — and they retail in select markets across Southeast Asia and the Middle East. In total, Ultra Violette has expanded to 28 international markets. 

The next frontier for Ultra Violette is North America. In March, the brand will launch in Canada through a partnership with Sephora, and in 2025, they plan on launching in the United States. Before Ultra Violette launches in the U.S., however, they’ll have to reformulate their products due to our outdated sunscreen regulations. 

More on the investment from WWD.

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Deals 💰

Mergers & Acquisitions 

  • London-based investment firm Bridgepoint is acquiring RoC Skincare for around $500M. The seller is Gryphon Investors who acquired the brand from J&J in 2019. RoC Skincare was created in 1957 by French pharmacist Dr. Jean-Charles Lissarrague. Business of Fashion

Fundraising

  • Jupiter, a scalp & haircare brand that launched in 2020, has raised $3M from the likes of Willow Growth Partners, Springdale Ventures, and others. The company was co-founded by Robbie Salter and Ross Goodhart. Beauty Independent 

  • C16 Biosciences, a startup that produces a sustainable palm oil alternative, secured a $3.5M grant from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation along with $1M in equity funding from Elemental Excelerator. C16 will use the funding to expand its presence in the food category. Business Wire

  • Kaffe Bueno, a Danish startup that upcycles coffee byproduct into functional cosmetics ingredients, has raised €6.2M in Series A funding. The round was led by Borregaard. Cosmetics Business

What’s New 🤩

Apparel, Cosmetics, and Wellness

  • Actor Owen Wilson is now the Chief Shampoo Officer for masstige haircare brand California Naturals. He’s also an investor and advisor. The campaign is terrific, too. People

  • Vegan haircare brand Vegamour launched a new product called HYDR-8 Weightless Repair Oil. The product is available exclusively on their website and at Sephora. Instagram

Food, Beverage, and Alcohol

  • Creator Dixie D’Amelio launched a new beverage brand, MyMuse, which sells better-for-you sodas and enhanced waters. The sodas contain adaptogens and antioxidants along with only 5g of sugar. The line is available at Kum & Go, Sprouts, and QuikTrip. MyMuse

  • Better-for-you breakfast brand Evergreen unveiled a sleek brand refresh. A vast improvement IMO ⬇️ Twitter

  • Tony’s Chocolonely launched a great-looking line of snacks called Lil’ Bits. They’re available exclusively at Whole Foods Market. Instagram

  • A great breakdown from Chloe Gordon on all the better-for-you soda brands out there. The Dieline

Data 🖥️

  • Lunazul Tequila, a tequila brand that’s owned by Heaven Hill Brands, sold more than 1M cases for the first time in 2023. Lunazul sales have nearly doubled since 2021. The Spirits Business

Distribution News 🚚

  • Thorntail Hard Agave, a new canned cocktail brand, launched at Fred Meyer and QFC in Washington and Oregon.

  • PRIME Hydration is now available at Carrefour in France.

  • Kombucha brand Brew Dr. launched two SKUs nationwide at Starbucks.