The Healing Company Acquires PepsiCo Backed Your Super In First Attempt To Consolidate The Wellness Industry

Integrated supplements platform The Healing Company, trading under HLCO on the OTC markets, has acquired plant-based superfoods brand Your Super for an undisclosed sum as part of its roll-up strategy to consolidate the wellness industry.

CPG-focused law firm Giannuzzi Lewendon acted as legal counsel for the deal that was financed through a combination of cash and equity.

The idea of Your Super was born after cofounder Michael Kuech was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 24, while his partner Kristel de Groot began formulating superfoods and plant protein mixes to help boost his immunity. Offering a range of certified organic and non-GMO nutrition products, the company has previously received funding from PepsiCoPEP
and Beyond Meat investor PowerPlant Partners, and has accumulated north of $180 million in total revenue over the past three years by selling more than five million products across the U.S. and Europe.

So far in 2022, Your Super has grown its retail revenue by 200% after securing national listings across TargetTGT
, CVS, Sprouts, and The Vitamin Shoppe, and has evolved to become “a truly omnichannel brand,” Kuech stressed.

Creating ‘Integrated Healing’ In A Recession-Proof Wellness Market

Keuch expects the acquisition to further accelerate Your Super’s expansion and brand awareness by leveraging The Healing Company’s expertise across e-commerce, multi-channel distribution, and storytelling. “When we met The Healing Company’s team, the very beginning of our discussions had a different tone than any other prospective partners. We are deeply driven by a shared vision to help millions of people improve their quality of life, changing the way the world thinks about healing and health,” he said. “We are thrilled to be starting this next chapter together and know it will be an exhilarating one.”

The wellness category is relatively recession-proof and is predicted to reach $7 trillion in size by 2025, yet the market largely remains fragmented, according to The Healing Company, which was cofounded by supplements entrepreneur Anabel Oelmann and former Equinox Media president Simon Belsham.

“This is an exciting day for The Healing Company and one that marks the start of a big next chapter,” Belsham wrote me via email. “With our first acquisition of Your Super, secured funding to continue building our community of healing brands, rising consumer demand for wellness, and market tailwinds supporting our model, we know we are on the right path to bringing integrated healing to the world.”

Oelmann added: “The complementarities between Your Super and The Healing Company were evident from day one: everything from culture, vision to capabilities. This is exactly the kind of partnership that we look for, and we are thrilled to partner with Kristel and Michael on this next era of growth.”

Acquiring 15 Brands With A $150 Million Credit Facility

Since it launched, The Healing Company has onboarded a roster of investors and advisors, including global wellbeing guru Dr. Deepak Chopra. According to PitchBook, the firm previously amassed $10 million of development capital from psychedelics entrepreneur Christian Angermayer, as well as Social Chain & Thirdweb founder and Dragons Den member Steven Bartlett, back in February, and its enterprise value was worth $164.95 million as of August 2022.

In the near term, The Healing Company will focus on expanding the impact and accessibility of Your Super’s products, building on the company’s traction to date. The goal is to buy and scale 15 supplements and nutraceutical brands over the next few years.

Oelmann mentioned how her team has screened hundreds of interested businesses over the past six months, and she believes the macro M&A environment with significantly declined valuations will be favorable to The Healing Company’s acquisition spree, coupled with a $150 million credit facility the company recently secured from i80 Group.

Marc Helwani, founder and CIO of i80 Group, said: “The Healing Company’s targeted acquisition strategy is highly attractive in the currently challenged economic environment as we’ve seen declining asset prices this year, and we expect them to fall further.

“The Healing Company’s experienced and visionary team is perfectly portioned to capitalize on this, and we’re proud to partner with them on this venture.”