The Duchess of Sussex can now add the impressive-sounding job title of ‘start-up investor’ alongside high-rolling Netflix producer and public speaker, to her post-royal repertoire.
The announcement was made via Fortune , the business magazine headquartered in New York City, on 14 December. The Duchess is investing in Clevr Blends, a female-led startup that makes instant oat-milk lattes. In a statement announcing her investment in the brand – which is led by co-founder and CEO Hannah Mendoza – Meghan made clear her interest in supporting female-founded companies. This personal investment is the first to be made public.
‘This investment is in support of a passionate female entrepreneur who prioritises building community alongside her business’ the Duchess said in a statement to Fortune. ‘I’m proud to invest in Hannah’s commitment to sourcing ethical ingredients and creating a product that I personally love and has a holistic approach to wellness. I believe in her, and I believe in her company.’
Clevr Blends describes itself as a ‘woman-led, mission-driven wellness company’ that is ‘dedicated to giving a shit’ with a ‘small, but exceptionally rad team’. It has only six staff and is headquartered near Montecito, Santa Barbra, just a few miles from where Meghan, 39, lives with Prince Harry and their son, Archie. The company sells what it calls Superlattes in 14-serving bags that cost $28 (£21) each. Customers who subscribe for regular deliveries pay slightly less for the deliveries, which require the addition of hot water and a quick pulse with a handheld frother before they are ready to consume.
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Clevr Blends have already got a well-known advocate in the form of Oprah Winfrey, the chat show host. Oprah posted a video to her Instagram (and her 19 million followers) of her delving through her Clevr Blends Christmas hamper. ‘On the first day of Christmas my neighbor ‘M’ sent to me...a basket of deliciousness! (Yes that M),’ Oprah wrote, with a crown emoji. ‘My new drink of choice for the morning and night. Wish I had Clevr Blends sooner cause I would've added it to my Favorite Things list.’ A thoughtful message and a priceless piece of marketing for the young brand that was founded in January 2019.
Co-founder Mendoza also released a statement, revealing her gratitude for the investment and the Duchess of Sussex's support. ‘Entrepreneurs need funding, but they also need advisers who care deeply about what they are building. I'm grateful to have found both in the Duchess of Sussex,’ read the statement. ‘Her passion for what we're creating is palpable, and I couldn't imagine a more aligned partnership. We're excited for the road ahead.’
Wellness has certainly long been on Meghan’s radar; she often wrote about them in her now-defunct lifestyle blog called The Tig. Meghan reportedly reached out to the Clevr Blends team after trying the company’s oat-milk latte product, which debuted through a Santa Barbara pop-up coffee shop in 2017.
The ‘SuperLattes’ come in four different varieties, Matcha, Chai, Golden and Coffee and include mushrooms, probiotics, coconut cream, adaptogens and oat milk. You can also buy a Clevr x Fellow travel mug and one of two home ritual kits. Meghan’s investment stake in the company hasn’t been revealed.
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