Nomva

Nomva was a brand of refrigerated, organic, probiotic-enhanced fruit and vegetable smoothies marketed under the parent company name Phenomenal Foods. The company was established in May 2015 by co-founders Caroline Beckman and Nina Church with the goal of providing a convenient and healthy food option for on-the-go consumers. Their target market was millennials who were seeking nutritious, portable, and functional food products.

The founders' journey originated at Suja Juice, a cold-pressed juice company. Beckman, who had dropped out of college, was a founding member and Vice President of Special Projects at Suja, while Church, a Stanford University student at the time, was an executive intern. The connection was facilitated by Church's father, Jeff Church, who was the CEO of Suja. This shared background provided them with deep insights into the food industry, leading them to identify a market gap for a product that combined the benefits of whole foods, fiber, and probiotics in a portable format.

Nomva's primary product was a line of "Probiotic Supersmoothies." These were pureed blends of whole, organic fruits and vegetables, including parts often discarded like skins and seeds, to retain natural fiber. A key feature was the inclusion of probiotics for digestive and immune health benefits. The smoothies were manufactured using high-pressure processing (HPP) to maintain freshness without heat, and were packaged in transparent, utensil-free pouches for portability. The business model focused on retail distribution through major chains. By late 2016, Nomva smoothies were available in approximately 600 stores, including Target, Ralphs, and Sprouts.

The startup attracted significant early-stage investment. Beckman was a recipient of a 2015 Thiel Foundation fellowship, which included $100,000 in funding. Seed investors included Mark and Maura Rampolla, founders of Zico Coconut Water, and Jeff Church. In early 2016, the company secured $3 million in a Series A funding round co-led by Taylor Farms and Evolution Media Partners. Despite this strong start and gaining traction in major retail outlets, Nomva ceased operations in January 2018. The company announced on its website, "We are very sad to announce that Nomva is no more," citing that their mission had been accomplished after three years. Keywords: probiotic smoothie, organic snacks, portable smoothie, HPP smoothie, fruit and vegetable pouch, functional food, healthy snacks, refrigerated snacks, food startup, CPG brand, Phenomenal Foods, Caroline Beckman, Nina Church, Suja Juice alumni, Taylor Farms, grab-and-go food, natural fiber snacks, digestive health food, millennial consumers, venture-backed CPG