Question: COMPANY: BARNANA
Business idea: Produce a healthy snack that consists of bite-sized morsels of partially dehydrated bananas, which are easy to carry and are potassium-rich. pitch: In 2001, Caue Suplicy moved to the United States to pursue a career as a professional triathlete. He often carried with him small squares of dehydrated bananas, made from a family recipe he learned in Brazil. The small squares were an excellent source of potassium and other nutrients. After 10 years of competing at an elite level, he retired from his professional racing career. In 2010, Suplicy created Barnana to share his special snack with others. Barnana is the perfect snack for athletes or anyone with an interest in healthy food. As an alternative to traditional snacks, Barnana is pioneering the use of the banana's naturally occurring nutritional content. Grown in soil alive with nutrients and free of chemicals, Barnana has no additives or preservatives and is naturally sweet. The Barnana treats are bit-sized morsels that can be popped into one's mouth. They are packaged in resealable plastic bags, and are easy to carry on a run, a bike ride, or simply for an afternoon snack.
They are available in four varieties-organic original Chewy Banana Bites, organic Chocolate Chewy Barnana Bites, organic Coconut Chewy Barnana Bites, and organic Peanut Butter Chewy Barnana Bites. The small morsels are partially dehydrated bananas that are soft and chewy and taste like banana bread. with only one ingredient, pure organic banana, they are an exceptional source of potassium and fiber and have over 20 vitamins and minerals. Each variety is dairy free, gluten free, non-GMo, Kosher, and vegan. Barnana Bites are perfect for people with Celiac Disease. Because of their fiber content, they aid in digestion, which is a property that people with Celiac Disease are generally looking for. Extreme care is taken in the growing of the bananas that Barnana Bites are made from. The bananas are grown on sustainable, organic farms in South America. Barnana Bites are also delicious. They have a chewy texture that makes them satisfying for snacking. Each morsel is flavorful and is dusted in banana powder with no added sugar. The organic Chocolate Chewy Banana Bites are covered in 54 percent organic cacao, which contains the nutritional benefits of dark chocolate. Barnana snacks are available across the United States at a variety of stores, including whole Foods Markets, wegmans, Sprouts, PCC Markets, and other local outlets. They are also available via Amazon.com and on Barnana's website.
1. Based on the material covered in this chapter, what questions would you ask the firm's founders before making your funding decision? what answers would satisfy you?
2. If you had to make your decision on just the information provided in the pitch and on the company's website, would you fund this company? why or why not?