Back to the Roots

Oakland, United States Founded: 2009 • Age: 17 yrs
Indoor mushroom kits for home cultivation are provided.

About Back to the Roots

Back to the Roots is a company based in Oakland (United States) founded in 2009 by Nikhil Arora and Alejandro Velez.. Back to the Roots has raised $39.68 million across 10 funding rounds from investors including The University of California, CircleUp and Central Garden and Pet. The company has 19 employees as of December 31, 2023. Back to the Roots offers products and services including Organic Mushroom Kits, Raised Beds, Hydroponic Grow Kit, and Organic Seeds. Back to the Roots operates in a competitive market with competitors including AeroGarden, Smart Gardener, GrowersHouse, Way to Grow and Hort Americas, among others.

  • Headquarter Oakland, United States
  • Employees 19 as on 31 Dec, 2023
  • Founders Nikhil Arora, Alejandro Velez
  • Sectors
    Agriculture
  • Phone
    *********
  • Website
    *********
  • Social
    *********
  • Legal Name Back To The Roots, Inc.
Operational Areas
Agriculture → Agricultural Technology & Innovation
Key Metrics
  • Annual Revenue
  • Net Profit
  • EBITDA
  • Total Equity Funding
    $39.68 M (USD)

    in 10 rounds

  • Latest Funding Round
    $15 M (USD), Series D

    Nov 29, 2021

  • Investors
  • Employee Count
    19

    as on Dec 31, 2023

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Products & Services of Back to the Roots

Back to the Roots offers a comprehensive portfolio of products and services, including Organic Mushroom Kits, Raised Beds, Hydroponic Grow Kit, and Organic Seeds. The company's diverse product and service offerings are designed to meet the evolving needs of its customers, address market demands, and provide comprehensive solutions that drive value creation and customer satisfaction across various segments and use cases.

Primary

Kits for growing organic mushrooms at home indoors.

Structures for planting and growing plants outdoors.

System for soil-free plant growth using water.

Heirloom seeds for various organic home gardens.

People of Back to the Roots
Headcount 10-50
Employee Profiles 9
Employee Profiles
People
Lindsey Roberts
Director of Sales & Marketing
People
Derrick Mitchell
Sales And Marketing Lead
People
Alejandro Vélez Ramírez
Co-Founder / Co-CEO
People
Gary Duan
Senior Director Of Operations

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Funding Insights of Back to the Roots

Back to the Roots has successfully raised a total of $39.68M across 10 strategic funding rounds. The most recent funding activity was a Series D round of $15 million completed in November 2021. This substantial capital infusion reflects strong investor confidence in the company's business model, growth potential, and market opportunities. The funding enables strategic expansion, product development, market penetration, and operational scaling to drive long-term value creation and competitive advantage.

  • Total Funding
  • Total Rounds 10
  • Last Round Series D — $15.0M
  • First Round

    (01 Jun 2009)

  • Investors Count 22
Date Amount Transaction Name Valuation Lead Investors Investors
Nov, 2021 Amount Series D - Back to the Roots Valuation Loft Growth Partners , Fenwick Brands
Oct, 2020 Amount Series C - Back to the Roots Valuation S2G Ventures , Acre Venture Partners
Dec, 2018 Amount Series C - Back to the Roots Valuation Central Garden and Pet
Date Amount Transaction Name Valuation Lead Investors Investors
Jul, 2021 Amount Post-IPO - Grab Valuation

investors

Feb, 2021 Amount Post-IPO - Grab Valuation

investors

Jan, 2021 Amount Post-IPO - Grab Valuation

investors

Feb, 2021 Amount Post-IPO - Grab Valuation

investors

Investors in Back to the Roots

Back to the Roots has secured backing from 22 investors, including venture fund, institutional, and angel investors. Prominent investors backing the company include The University of California, CircleUp and Central Garden and Pet. This diverse investor base provides strategic capital, industry expertise, and valuable network connections that support the company's growth initiatives, market expansion, and long-term value creation.

All
Venture Fund
Institutional
Angel
Investor Description Founded Year Domain Location
-
Founded Year Domain Location
Stage agnostic venture capital firm
Founded Year Domain Location
Growth stage offline-focused VC firm investing primarily in the UK
Founded Year Domain Location
Investor Description Founded Year Domain Location
Single family office of Amitabh Bachchan, founder of Amitabh Bachchan Corporation or AB CORP
Founded Year Domain Location
Startup ecosystems are ignited through strategic investments by Signite Partners.
Founded Year Domain Location
Venture capital is directed toward companies in multiple sectors.
Founded Year Domain Location
Venture capital is invested in cybersecurity, fintech, and AI startups.
Founded Year Domain Location

Investments & Acquisitions by Back to the Roots

Investments
Company Name Description Domain Location Founded Year Amount
Bionic investment advisor platform
2016
Fine Asian gourmet food is offered by an internet-first restaurant.
2016
Physical e-commerce kiosks are deployed for rural purchases in Indonesia.
2014
Fine Asian gourmet food is offered by an internet-first restaurant.
2016

Financial Statements - Back to the Roots

Tata Steel revenue growth over time
Tata Steel profit and loss trends over time
Date Amount Transaction Name Valuation Lead Investors Investors
Jul, 2021 Amount Post-IPO - Grab Valuation

investors

Feb, 2021 Amount Post-IPO - Grab Valuation

investors

Jan, 2021 Amount Post-IPO - Grab Valuation

investors

Feb, 2021 Amount Post-IPO - Grab Valuation

investors

Back To The Roots Comparisons

Employees
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Competitors of Back to the Roots

Back to the Roots operates in a dynamic and competitive business environment, facing competition from various established players and emerging companies in the market. The competitive landscape includes prominent companies such as AeroGarden, Smart Gardener, GrowersHouse, Way to Grow and Hort Americas, among others. This competitive environment drives innovation, market differentiation, and strategic positioning as companies strive to capture market share and deliver value to their customers. Understanding the competitive dynamics is crucial for assessing market positioning, identifying growth opportunities, and navigating the challenges inherent in a competitive marketplace.

Company Name Domain Founded year HQ Location Description
domain founded_year HQ Location
Aeroponics cultivation kits for indoor use are manufactured and supplied.
domain founded_year HQ Location
AT home DIY gardening
domain founded_year HQ Location
Supplier of hydroponics and indoor gardening products
domain founded_year HQ Location
Online retailer offering organic gardening and hydroponic supplies
domain founded_year HQ Location
Provides horticultural equipment, fertilizers, and lighting for growers worldwide.
Company Name Domain Founded year HQ Location Description
domain founded_year HQ Location
Multiple services are booked via an app-based platform.
domain founded_year HQ Location
On-demand services are booked through an app-based platform.
domain founded_year HQ Location
App based platform offering on demand delivery and ride-hailing services
domain founded_year HQ Location
Operates an on-demand hyperlocal delivery app for food and groceries.

Latest news on Back To The Roots

Frequently Asked Questions about Back to the Roots

When was Back to the Roots founded?

Back to the Roots was founded in 2009.

Where is Back to the Roots located?

Back to the Roots is headquartered in Oakland, United States. It is registered at Oakland, California, United States.

Who is the current CEO of Back to the Roots?

Nikhil Arora is the current CEO of Back to the Roots. They have also founded this company.

Is Back to the Roots a funded company?

Back to the Roots is a funded company, having raised a total of $39.68M across 10 funding rounds to date. The company's 1st funding round was a Series C of $3M, raised on Jun 01, 2009.

How many employees does Back to the Roots have?

As of Dec 31, 2023, the latest employee count at Back to the Roots is 19.

What does Back to the Roots do?

Back to the Roots was established in 2009 in Oakland, United States. Grow-at-home kits for oyster mushrooms are supplied, enabling indoor cultivation without outdoor space. Operations are focused on the home gardening sector, with products designed for urban users. Kits are distributed via the domain backtotheroots.com, supporting accessible mycology experiences. Co-founders Nikhil Arora and Alejandro Velez lead the company as co-CEOs.

Who are the top competitors of Back to the Roots?

Back to the Roots's top competitors include AeroGarden, Smart Gardener and Way to Grow.

What products or services does Back to the Roots offer?

Back to the Roots offers Organic Mushroom Kits, Raised Beds, Hydroponic Grow Kit, and Organic Seeds.

Who are Back to the Roots's investors?

Back to the Roots has 22 investors. Key investors include The University of California, CircleUp, Central Garden and Pet, FoodBytes, and Trillions.

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