Taste Tomorrow Ventures announced an investment in Harken Sweets as part of the company’s seed funding round, alongside investors Selva and GRTSHT. The investment represents the eighth portfolio company for Taste Tomorrow Ventures and its second investment in the fast-growing better-for-you indulgent snacks category.
Founded three years ago by Katie Lefkowitz, Harken Sweets is focused on reinventing chocolate products with cleaner ingredients and lower sugar content. The company’s products are sweetened with whole-food dates instead of refined sugar or synthetic sweeteners, while also providing up to 14 grams of fiber per serving.
The company has expanded distribution across major retailers including Sprouts Farmers Market, Whole Foods Market, Kroger, Costco, Walmart, Albertsons, and Wegmans, in addition to direct-to-consumer sales through the company’s website.
Taste Tomorrow Ventures was founded by Danny Stepper, Dino Sarti, and Scott Guthrie. The firm focuses on early-stage investments in beverage and snack brands and currently manages a $30 million debut fund backed by strategic corporate, institutional, and family office investors.
KEY QUOTES:
“We started Harken because I personally believed consumers deserved candy that felt as good as it tasted. From day one, our goal has been to create products rooted in real ingredients and genuine indulgence, not compromise. The team at TTV immediately understood both the scale of that opportunity and the emotional connection consumers have with this category. We feel incredibly lucky to have partners who deeply understand the space and share our long-term vision for building the next great modern candy brand.”
Katie Lefkowitz, Founder/CEO, Harken Foods
“Harken is a better-for-you indulgence candy bar that genuinely meets the consumer where they are today — health-conscious, ingredient-aware, and unwilling to give up on taste. We’re excited to support Harken’s next chapter of growth.”
Danny Stepper, Co-Founder/GP, Taste Tomorrow Ventures
