Investor Spotlight: Greer Tessler and Luke Goldstein of Simple Food Ventures
The Startup CPG Podcast
Startup CPG
4.9 • 642 Ratings
🗓️ 2 August 2025
⏱️ 50 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, our Operations and Finance Correspondent Hannah Dittman speaks with Greer Tessler and Luke Goldstein, Managing Partners at Simple Food Ventures. They explore the firm’s strategic approach to early-stage CPG investing, with a focus on “better-for-you” grocery staples and their unique partnership with Albertsons to help brands scale through retail distribution.
Greer and Luke share valuable insights into what they look for in founders, the importance of operational expertise, and the business fundamentals that set companies apart. They also provide guidance on navigating valuations, the fundraising process, and building transparent, effective relationships with investors.
For founders preparing to raise capital or operators seeking a deeper understanding of the investment landscape, this episode offers practical advice and clear takeaways.
Listen now to gain expert insights on positioning your brand for growth and investment readiness.
Listen in as they share about:
- Simple Food Ventures Overview
- Investment Criteria & Strategy
- Fundraising Process & Diligence
- Valuation and Dilution Guidance
- Pitching Guidance
- Founder Fit & Dynamics
- Capital Raising Stages
- Advice for Founders on Investor Selection
- How to Contact Simple Food Ventures
Episode Links:
Website: https://simplefoodventures.co/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greer-tessler-50256640/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-goldstein-a90093159/
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Show Links:
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- Episode music by Super Fantastics
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | We actually were the sounding investors of a company called Ayo, which is this flavored Mayo brand that was, you know, we helped launch with Molly Baz. |
| 0:18.8 | We put the first check into that business. |
| 0:24.3 | And so it didn't really exist before we put our capital in. |
| 0:27.3 | We'll do something like that, but it really needs to be the right opportunity. But I think a majority of our deals will sit doing anywhere from, you know, a million and a half in revenue up to like 10 million in revenue is the first for our first check in. |
| 0:37.2 | And I will say the second fund that we're in the process of raising is, you know, |
| 0:42.0 | hopefully to be three times the size of the first fund. |
| 0:44.3 | So we are trying to hit higher check sizes as we have a clear line of sight to how much |
| 0:50.7 | money we're going to raise. |
| 0:51.6 | But the goal is to be deploying, you know, anywhere between half a million to two million per deal once we have our fundraise a little |
| 0:58.8 | bit more lockdown. |
| 1:02.8 | Hey everybody. I'm Hannah Dittman, Operations and Finance correspondent at startup CPG and the |
| 1:08.3 | current founder of Ready Basics, a confidence-boasting personal care brand. |
| 1:11.6 | As a former CPG investor, I'm especially excited to host this investor spotlight with Greer, |
| 1:16.6 | Tesla and Luke Goldstein from Simple Food Ventures. |
| 1:19.6 | If you're not sure where to start with fundraising, what investors are actually looking for, |
| 1:23.6 | or even what that first meeting should feel like, well, you'll be learning it today. We're going behind the scenes with a team at Simple Food Ventures, an early stage fund that's all about backing the future of better-for-you foods and products. Greer and Luke bring a ton of operational experience with the table, plus a unique edge through their strong ties in grocery retail, including a deep relationship with the Albertsons Network. In this episode, we'll cover how they evaluate brands, what really stands out in a pitch, |
| 1:46.8 | what the diligence process is like behind the curtain, and their best advice for founders who are gearing up to raise. |
| 1:51.6 | Enjoy! |
| 1:56.2 | Hey everybody, welcome back to the Startup CPG podcast. |
| 1:59.6 | I'm Hannah, and today I am here with Greer Tesla and Luke Goldstein, investors from Simple Food Ventures. |
| 2:05.8 | Luke and Greer, welcome to the show. |
| 2:07.7 | Thank you for having us. We're excited to be here. |
... |
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