Longève Brands

Longève Brands is a company specializing in shelf-stable, plant-based protein products made from peas. The Irvine, California-based startup was co-founded in November 2020 by CPG industry veteran Douglas Kantner and venture studio Cie, launching with a direct-to-consumer model. Kantner, the CEO, has over 25 years of experience in the food and nutrition industry, having founded Kantner Group (previously Euro Proteins) and held leadership roles at Group Lactalis. His background in dairy proteins and entrepreneurship informed the creation of Longève's clean-label meat alternatives.

The company's core products include Plant-Based Protein Crumbles and Breadless Crumbs, both made from non-GMO, texturized pea protein. These products are designed to be a versatile cooking ingredient, replacing ground meat or traditional breadcrumbs in various recipes. A key differentiator is their shelf-stable nature, requiring no refrigeration and offering an 18-month shelf life without preservatives. The crumbles reconstitute in hot water in about five minutes. The products are positioned as clean-label, free from soy, gluten, and additives, targeting the growing flexitarian market.

Longève Brands generates revenue through a multi-channel approach, including direct-to-consumer sales on its website and Amazon, as well as retail and food service channels. In January 2021, the company secured a $5 million seed funding round led by Wavemaker Partners and Springboard Ventures to expand its retail presence and product line. This funding was intended to accelerate growth beyond its initial DTC model and into broader markets.

Keywords: plant-based protein, pea protein, shelf-stable foods, meat alternative, flexitarian, clean label, CPG, food-tech, non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free, Douglas Kantner, Cie, sustainable food, vegan crumbles, food service ingredients, direct-to-consumer CPG, healthy pantry staples, meat substitute, plant-based cooking