Little Sesame, the chef-founded hummus brand known for its fresh, organic recipes and vibrant flavors, has closed an $8.5 million Series A funding round led by InvestEco Capital, with support from Watchfire Ventures, Santatera Capital, Beliade Consumer Partners, and several industry investors. The company plans to use the funds to expand manufacturing capacity, develop new product lines, and accelerate team growth.

From Restaurant Pop-Up to Retail Growth Story

Founded in 2016 by longtime friends Nick Wiseman and Ronen Tenne, Little Sesame began as a small Mediterranean-inspired restaurant in Washington, D.C. The COVID-era pivot to grocery-ready hummus ignited remarkable consumer interest: since launching in 2021, the brand has entered nearly 3,000 stores nationwide, adding over 1,000 new doors in 2024 alone. Year-over-year growth has exceeded 100%, contributing nearly half of the category’s growth at Whole Foods Market.

Manufacturing Modernization at the Core

The new funding will support the development of a 23,000-square-foot production facility equipped with a test kitchen and high-pressure processing (HPP) technology, boosting output to 400,000 pounds of hummus per week - a 400% increase in capacity. This is part of a deliberate strategy to move from small-batch production toward scalable, industrial-grade manufacturing while maintaining chef-quality standards.

Strategic Insight: The Power of Intentional Scaling

Amid this fast-paced growth, Little Sesame offers a playbook for founders: scale must be intentional, aligned with deep operational understanding and consumer resonance. The founders recognized early that as the brand moved from foodservice into refrigerated retail, maintaining culinary integrity meant investing in infrastructure - not just marketing.

This funding round isn’t merely a financial boost; it’s a strategic checkpoint. Building a dedicated facility with test kitchens and HPP shows an understanding that product consistency drives relationships with large retailers like Whole Foods, Sprouts, Wegmans, and Erewhon. When production aligns with product vision, companies earn shelf space for the long term.

Moreover, Little Sesame’s sourcing strategy - partnering with regenerative chickpea farmers and targeting 10,000 acres of regenerative agriculture by 2027 - underscores how supply chain sustainability can parallel scaling ambitions. Rather than chasing hype, this is growth built on operational depth, environmental focus, and culinary authenticity.

Founders can adapt this: first, identify where scaling will break product quality or customer trust; second, invest in the ops needed to avoid that; third, align upstream sourcing to brand values, not just ownership of raw materials. That combination is what transforms fast growth into long-term loyalty.

Product Innovation and Community Engagement

With manufacturing capacity secured, Little Sesame is doubling down on new product development, including its “Hummus for Kids” line and other health-focused snacks that speak to evolving demand. The brand’s Summer of Hummus tour is another keystone - bringing product samplings and authentic connections to communities across the country. This experiential approach is designed to convert fans into lifelong customers and deepen emotional brand resonance.

Leading with Mission-Driven Capital

InvestEco Capital, known for supporting values-aligned food brands, leads the round - reinforcing Little Sesame’s alignment with sustainable food movements. Investment from Watchfire, Santatera, and Beliade demonstrates strong confidence in the company’s growth trajectory, brand positioning, and ability to scale responsibly.

Roadmap: Scaling Culture and Infrastructure

Following the Series A, Little Sesame will invest heavily in talent acquisition - expanding production teams, product R&D, and marketing. These hires are intended to support nationwide distribution and enable nimble innovation. The new facility isn’t just a production hub - it’s a foundation for regional expansion, culinary experimentation, and deeper retailer partnerships.

The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters

The hummus market is booming, projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate above 8%, driven by health-conscious eating and demand for plant-based protein. Yet category growth hinges on brands that balance scale with quality and purpose. Little Sesame’s funding and roadmap highlight how community-focused, chef-inspired brands can scale purposefully - without compromising authenticity.

As more consumers gravitate toward clean ingredients, regenerative sourcing, and emotionally resonant brands, the path Little Sesame is forging becomes the new standard for foodtech startups aiming to scale beyond niche appeal.