LiveKuna

LiveKuna operates as a vertically-integrated superfood company, marketing a portfolio of natural and organic food products. The company was co-founded in Ecuador in 2014 by Carlos Gutiérrez and Santiago Stacey. Their journey began after observing that 99% of the chia seeds grown in their home country were exported, with little to no local consumption or benefit. Motivated to reverse this trend, they established LiveKuna to develop and promote superfood products within Ecuador and for the global market. Stacey, after discovering chia seeds in 2013 and incorporating them into his diet, partnered with his friend Gutiérrez to harness the potential of locally-grown superfoods. Gutiérrez brings previous experience from roles at the World Food Programme and a snack company specializing in plantain and cassava chips.

The company's core business model is built on direct partnerships with a network of approximately 500 small, family-owned farms in the Chimborazo and Cotopaxi provinces of Ecuador. This vertical integration ensures control over the supply chain, from sourcing and farming to processing and packaging in their own facility. The business generates revenue through an omnichannel sales strategy, selling its products directly to consumers online via its website and platforms like Amazon, as well as through retail distribution in major supermarket chains and stores such as Sprouts Farmers Market and Ralphs in markets including the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Ecuador. The company's name, derived from the Quechua word for "to give," reflects its philosophy of fair-trade practices and making nutritious food accessible.

LiveKuna's product range is centered on superfood ingredients like chia and quinoa and has expanded to include moringa, kale, and green banana. The offerings are extensive, including gluten-free flours, pastas, cereals, seeds, grains, and a significant line of snacks. A key product line is KunaPops, a series of puffed snacks made from quinoa and chia, which has been a primary driver of growth. The company emphasizes clean-label products that are certified organic, vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO. In December 2021, LiveKuna secured an undisclosed amount in a Series A funding round led by Grupo Bimbo, with participation from investors like SOSV and Amadeus Capital, to fuel expansion in North America and support new product development.

Keywords: LiveKuna, superfoods, Ecuadorian food, chia seeds, quinoa products, vertically integrated, farm-to-table, Carlos Gutiérrez, Santiago Stacey, KunaPops, gluten-free snacks, organic foods, sustainable farming, fair trade, omnichannel retail, food and beverage, CPG, Grupo Bimbo, SOSV, natural products, healthy snacks, plant-based foods, clean label