Investment will help pasta brand go global

Calgary – District Ventures Capital, a venture capital fund established by entrepreneur and Dragons’ Den star Arlene Dickinson, has invested in Collingwood, Ont.-based Chickapea Pasta.

Chickapea founder and CEO Shelby Taylor was part of the first cohort program at District Ventures Accelerator, a business accelerator in Calgary for consumer

(L-R) Chickapea Pasta founder and CEO Shelby Taylor with District Ventures Capital’s Arlene Dickinson

packaged goods, and completed the six-month program this May. During that time the company increased sales and expanded distribution across Canada and in the U.S., and Taylor hopes to continue that growth with the help of the investment from District Ventures Capital.

Chickapea produces a line of healthy pasta made from chickpeas and lentils which is gluten-free, non-GMO Project Verified, certified organic and vegan, and which boasts 23 g of protein. The company will launch a second product line, Macaroni & Cheese, this fall in time for back-to-school season.

“Chickapea is exactly the kind of company we’re looking to invest in: an innovative product that challenges the traditional food industry by offering consumers healthy alternatives, a strong track record of sales, and an incredible entrepreneur that’s built a great company,” said Dickinson in making the announcement.