Angels
Our angels include entrepreneurs, CEOs, venture capitalists, and business leaders who have founded, funded and built world class companies in the food and health space. We either are, or have deep connections to, venture capital investors in this space as well as to the large companies that might represent exits for our start-ups. We advise, support, and connect the entrepreneurs who we invest in, assisting as needed with team building, strategic planning and financing.
-
Director of Programs, Innovation Institute for Food and Health
Investor and Advisor to early-stage companies. Advises on product development, marketing, and organization growth strategies concurrent with capital expansion. 35+ years of experience in life science companies and an active angel investor over the past 10 years.
LINKEDIN -
Faculty Director, Innovation Institute for Food and Health
Faculty Director of the Innovation Institute for Food and Health and serial founder of enzyme-based startups, including Amplifye (recently raised $18M), Prism Bio, and PvP Biologics (acquired for $330M by Takeda Pharmaceuticals)
LINKEDIN -
Investment Advisor
David Hultman is a Senior Client Executive and Relationship Manager with deep expertise in advising ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families, and foundation clients on investment strategy, capital allocation, and philanthropic impact. A proud alumnus of University of California, Davis (B.S., Agriculture & Managerial Economics), he has maintained strong ties to the UCD community—serving as Chair of the Audit Committee of the UC Davis Foundation and as a key connector between university innovation and private-capital channels. As a founding member of the angel-investment network, David leverages his investment advisory background, institutional-level fiduciary experience, and passion for translating academic research into commercial outcomes in the food & health sector. He brings strategic clarity, governance rigor, and a committed mission-orientation toward driving innovation in metabolic health and disease prevention.
-
Managing Partner, Cornucopian Capital
Managing Partner of Cornucopian Capital, the family office and venture fund stemming from the sale of Slim Fast Foods. Has deployed capital and built platforms focused on personalized health and wellness, biosensing technologies, bioactives, and digital-health innovations.
-
General Partner at Cornucopian Capital with over two decades of experience in global asset management and strategy at top-tier firms like TPG and Bridgewater Associates.
-
Food innovation strategist who has developed thousands of products for global brands, founded DINE, and served as a judge on the TV show Supermarket Superstar.
-
Managing Partner of Friedman Bioventure Fund, specializing in funding and guiding early-stage biotechnology companies and life science innovation.
-
General counsel for various start-ups. 25 years experience across a range of complex legal and business issues that require business-oriented problem solving. Extensive work in M&A, general corporate governance, contract negotiation.
-
Angel investor, West Sacramento City Commissioner, and UC Davis alumnus with deep roots in regional economic development and food policy.
-
Founder and CEO of AGR Partners, managing over $1 billion in equity capital focused specifically on the food chain and agribusiness sectors.
-
Investor and Advisor to early stage companies. Advises on product development, marketing, and organization growth strategies concurrent with capital expansion. 35+ years of experience in life science companies and an active angel investor over the past 10 years.
LINKEDIN -
Experienced private investor and business leader with a focus on identifying and scaling high-growth commercial opportunities.
-
Dr. Marrone spent her 30+ year career focused on discovering, developing, and deploying biological products for pest management and plant health. She started and led three companies, and took another public.
LINKEDIN -
Elected member of the National Academy of Medicine and founder of the One Health Institute, globally recognized for her work at the interface of planetary and human health.
-
MD and Co-founder of the beverage brand Everyday Weekend and an experienced entrepreneur with a focus on brand building and scaling consumer packaged goods.
LINKEDIN -
Retired investment executive and current active board director for both financial and non-financial firms.
-
is a founder, chef, nutritionist, and sustainable food systems leader focused on advancing regenerative, circular economy, and nutrition-forward innovation.
-
Dean of the UC Davis Graduate School of Management and co-founder of Angi (Angie’s List), bringing deep expertise in brand strategy and consumer behavior to the network.
-
Former Chief Science Officer at General Mills, Founder of the Seeding The Future Foundation and its annual $1 Million Global Food System Challenge, Board Member for several US and European entities, bringing decades of executive leadership in innovation, science, and strategy.
LINKEDIN -
CEO of Oobli (sweet proteins) and founder of giggle. 25 years of experience in consumer goods, retail, and tech, focusing on brand growth and innovation.