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Holmes Mouthwatering, based in Cleveland, Ohio, manufactures all-natural applesauce and real fruit products using Ohio-grown apples, pears, and local apple cider. The company has served over 50,000 customers, processed 500,000 pounds of apples, and delivered 250,000 units of its products. With lifetime sales reaching $400,000 and annual sales projected to hit $500,000, Holmes Mouthwatering has expanded its retail presence to over 300 stores, including Whole Foods, Kroger, and Giant Eagle, with an upcoming test-launch in 200+ Walmart stores. The company has raised over $800,000 in grants and investments, notably participating in the Chobani Incubator program and receiving backing from investor Gary Hirshberg, former CEO of Stonyfield Farm. Holmes Mouthwatering was founded in 2008 by Ethan Holmes, with its market launch in 2015.
Holmes Mouthwatering has raised $50K across 1 funding round.
Holmes Mouthwatering has raised $50K in total across 1 funding round.
Holmes Mouthwatering has raised $50K across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $50K Seed in April 2021.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 1, 2021 | $50K Seed | — | Gabriel Ruimy, Brkfst Club, Main Sequence Ventures, Mayfield, Mcwin Capital Partners, NEO, SOSV, UpHonest Capital, Vamos Ventures, Hadi Partovi, Scott Banister | Announced |
Holmes Mouthwatering has raised $50K in total across 1 funding round.
Holmes Mouthwatering's investors include Gabriel Ruimy, Brkfst Club, Main Sequence Ventures, Mayfield, McWin Capital Partners, NEO, SOSV, UpHonest Capital, Vamos Ventures, Hadi Partovi, Scott Banister.
Holmes Mouthwatering is a Cleveland, Ohio-based consumer packaged goods (CPG) company producing all-natural applesauce pouches made with Ohio-grown apples, pears, local cider, and real fruit chunks like strawberries and peaches. No added sugar, nut/dairy/gluten-free, non-GMO, and kosher-certified, it targets families seeking nutritious, homestyle snacks for kids and adults.[1][2][5] The product solves the problem of bland, processed fruit purees by delivering bold flavors and convenience via mess-free pouches, serving over 50,000 customers nationwide through retailers like Heinen's, Whole Foods, Kroger, Giant Eagle, Meijer, and Walmart, with online sales and free U.S. shipping.[2][3][5] Growth has accelerated: from $40k–$60k annual sales (2015–2021) to $150k since July 2024 and on track for $200k in 2024, aiming for $500k in 2025 via expanded production in Chile and new hires.[3]
Founded in 2008 by Ethan Holmes, then a 15-year-old from Shaker Heights, Ohio, inspired by his grandfather's homemade applesauce recipe. Ethan experimented with 100 pounds of Christmas-gifted apples, refining the product over a year before market entry.[1][2][5] While a student at Hiram College, he officially launched in 2015, securing early shelf space at Heinen's (2014) and expanding to Giant Eagle and Kroger.[2][3] Pivotal moments include Chobani incubator selection in 2020 ($15k grant, 3 months support) and a 2024 rebrand to pouches with a Chilean manufacturer for scale (50M+ units/year capacity), driving six-figure sales in under six months.[3][4]
Despite the query labeling it a "technology company," Holmes Mouthwatering operates as a CPG food brand with no evident tech products like software or platforms—focus remains on physical applesauce production and retail.[1][2][3][5] It rides trends in clean-label snacking and convenience foods for families, fueled by rising demand for no-sugar-added, allergen-free kids' nutrition amid health-conscious parenting and e-commerce grocery growth. Timing aligns with post-pandemic supply chain shifts favoring scalable manufacturing (e.g., Chile partnership) and pouch formats popular in stadiums/events. Influences ecosystem via youth mentoring and minority-owned status, inspiring young entrepreneurs in food innovation.[1][3]
Holmes Mouthwatering's trajectory points to rapid scaling: targeting $500k sales in 2025 via hiring demo workers, stadium concessions, more grocers, and new SKUs like juice boxes.[3] Trends like functional snacks and direct-to-consumer online will amplify growth, especially with production capacity unlocked. As a bootstrapped youth-led brand, its influence may evolve into a regional CPG leader, potentially attracting acquisition interest from bigger players like Chobani, while sustaining community impact—proving fresh applesauce from a teen's kitchen can pouch its way to nationwide shelves.[2][3][5]
