© Akua
The company launched its first product – kelp jerky – in 2019, and has since developed the kelp burgers, which are made from farmed kelp along with ingredients including cremini mushrooms, pea protein, black beans, quinoa and crushed tomatoes.
Akua started selling via direct to consumers across the US in May and now has pre-orders from over 100 stores in New York.
In addition to the jerky and burger, the startup’s portfolio also includes kelp pasta and a kelp-based ground meat product. They plan to launch a kelp crab cake in the second quarter of 2022. The new funding – which was led by Vibrant Ventures, a plant-based fund headquartered in Los Angeles – will be used to develop new kelp-related products.
