cadootz!, a better-for-you kids’ snack brand, announced it has raised more than $3 million in seed funding to support its next phase of growth, including a nationwide retail expansion planned for summer 2026. The funding round was led by Selva Ventures, with participation from additional strategic investors aligned with the company’s mission of redefining healthier snacking options for families. Selva Ventures, founded by Kiva Dickinson, focuses on early-stage investments in better-for-you consumer brands.
Founded by Rachel Mansfield and her husband Jordan Carpenter, cadootz! launched direct-to-consumer in January 2026. The brand saw immediate traction, with its first production run selling out in under two hours, signaling strong early demand driven in part by Mansfield’s large and engaged audience.
cadootz! was created to address a common challenge for families: finding snacks that appeal to children while meeting parents’ expectations for clean ingredients. Its debut product line includes savory crackers in flavors such as cheddar, sea salt, and ranch. The products deliver 5 grams of protein per serving and are certified organic, gluten-free, kosher, and free from seed oils, gums, emulsifiers, artificial dyes, and natural flavors. The crackers have also received the Clean Label Project Purity Award certification.
The newly raised capital will support the company’s upcoming national retail launch, expected in June 2026 through a major, yet-to-be-announced retailer. The rollout will also introduce a new family-friendly packaging format designed for broader distribution.
cadootz! began development in 2023, leveraging Mansfield’s decade-long experience in the better-for-you food space and a community of more than 1.5 million followers. In addition to building cadootz!, Mansfield is also a cookbook author, while she and Carpenter have invested in more than 25 emerging consumer brands through their venture platform.
The company is currently selling products through its website and on Amazon, with broader retail availability expected later this year.
KEY QUOTE:
“cadootz! has all the makings of a category-defining, generational brand. We believe cadootz! will become the ultimate shorthand for trust in kids’ snacking: a modern-day seal of approval for what families should feel good about. Rachel and Jordan aren’t building a product, they’re building the platform that will set the standard across every format, every occasion, and every pantry.”
Kiva Dickinson, Founder & Managing Partner, Selva Ventures, and Co-Founder of cadootz!
