You would think that raising more that $360 million to magically transform yeast microbes into realistic (and delicious) dairy-like products would be enough for Perfect Day Co-Founders Ryan Pandya and Perumal Gandhi. But you’d be wrong, evidently.
TechCrunch was first to report that Pandya and Gandhi have teamed up with Paul Kollesoff to launch The Urgent Company, a new umbrella company that is, according to the new company’s website, “… in the business of using science, engineering, technology, social awareness and some common sense, to create safe, natural, healthy and delicious consumer products which support a more verdant planet.”
The Urgent Company’s first product is Brave Robot ice cream, which will use Perfect Day’s flora-based protein in flavors like Vanilla, A Lot of Chocolate, and Raspberry White Truffle. Initially available in California before rolling out nationally, pints of Brave Robot ice cream will sell for $5.99.
But according to the TechCrunch piece, not all of The Urgent Company’s brands will use Perfect Day’s proteins. The company is looking to create products using the latest technology in plant-based ingredients, modified proteins (outside of Perfect Day’s), as well as more sustainable packaging solutions.
You should read the TechCrunch piece for the full background on how The Urgent Company came together. The story didn’t mention how much money Pandya and Gandhi are directing towards the endeavor, but with just eight full-time employees, Urgent seems to be running a lean operation.
For what it’s worth, this is Perfect Day’s third trip to the ice cream parlor. The company launched its own brand of flora-based ice cream last year that was available for a limited time. In May of this year, Perfect Day partnered with San Francisco ice creamery, Smitten, for line of ice creams under that brand.
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