Margin Is the New Mojo
Why Today’s Best Founders Engineer Margins Before Headlines. Other highlights include Grüns and Lucky Energy funding rounds, and AirRobe’s U.S. debut.
“Great men are not born great, they grow great.” - Don Corleone, The Godfather (1972)
The consumer landscape is a graveyard of beautiful failures. Beverages, snacks, supplements, skincare, even tech-enabled home goods. Brands that captured attention but lost the plot. Stunning packaging, clever campaigns, influencer endorsements, followed inevitably by bankruptcy filings. For every brand that endures, dozens vanish because they succumbed to the industry’s most seductive lie: that margin is something you figure out later.
I’ve watched this cycle play out across three decades and countless consumer categories. And the winners, the true revolutionaries, aren’t the loudest voices or the fastest growers. They’re the visionaries who understood something counterintuitive: financial discipline doesn’t constrain ambition, it unleashes it.
Read more on AirSugar, Brian's new blog.
Portfolio Companies in the News
🧸 Grüns recently raised fresh funding at a valuation of up to $500 million, reflecting continued investor enthusiasm for health and wellness brands. Coachella weekend was especially impactful for Grüns: they took over hole 5 at Palm Tree Crew Holdings’ Golf Tournament, sampled gummies at Microsoft Copilot’s Bodega during REVOLVE Fest, engaged thousands of consumers at Target, Sprouts, and La Quinta farmers market, and made a statement with the Grüns Rivian on desert streets. The Information + LinkedIn
🍀 Lucky Energy unveiled new branding and expanded nationwide distribution, backed by a $14 million funding round to fuel its growth. The brand’s updated formula offers improved taste and functional benefits, targeting health-conscious consumers. Strategic partnerships with top retailers and a dynamic marketing campaign support Lucky’s rapid expansion and rising profile in the energy drink market. PR Newswire + FoodBev
🪩 Disco’s Neal Goyal shared insights at Shoptalk on building strong retail partnerships and driving growth in the DTC (direct-to-consumer) space. He emphasized the importance of strategic collaboration, innovative marketing, and leveraging data to enhance customer experience and scale brands effectively. LinkedIn
👗 AirRobe launched its US headquarters, bringing its circularity technology to American fashion retailers. The platform enables brands and consumers to easily resell, rent, or recycle fashion items, supporting sustainable shopping and reducing waste. AirRobe’s expansion reflects growing demand for circular solutions in the fashion industry. FashionNetwork
🛠️ Builder enables designers to quickly generate, test, and refine prototypes with minimal manual input, accelerating the entire design process. By automating repetitive tasks, Builder allows teams to focus more on creative problem-solving and user experience. Core77
🎂 Cake launched The Daily Chew, an innovative edible gum that combines daily wellness ingredients with discreet, ED convenient use. The gum is designed to support overall well-being and men’s sexual health while fitting seamlessly into busy lifestyles, offering an easy alternative to traditional supplements. Morningstar
🧖♀️ Exponent’s Vitamin C products are acknowledged for their innovative approach to sensitive skin care. The brand offers a unique system where pure vitamin C powder is mixed fresh with a serum base before each use, ensuring maximum potency and stability without harsh preservatives. This method helps deliver brightening and antioxidant benefits while reducing the risk of irritation commonly associated with vitamin C. Allure
🤖 Webeyez highlights that oversized images on websites can negatively impact conversion rates by slowing down page load times and frustrating users. The article recommends optimizing and compressing images to improve website speed, enhance user experience, and ultimately increase conversions. LinkedIn
📍Hyper introduced advanced indoor navigation technology to enhance customer and employee experiences. Their solution provides precise, real-time navigation within complex indoor spaces like malls, airports, and hospitals, making it easier for users to find destinations and services. This innovation aims to improve operational efficiency and satisfaction by reducing frustration and saving time. CXM World
👃 Snif launched a pancake-inspired fragrance, capturing the scent of maple syrup, butter, and freshly made pancakes. The unique perfume has generated buzz on social media for its fun, edible vibe. TrendHunter
🌟 Starface’s signature star-shaped pimple patches combine hydrocolloid and salicylic acid for effective, fun acne care. Their bold designs and pop culture collaborations make acne treatment stylish and empowering, appealing to a younger audience. Their popularity continues to grow thanks to their Instagram-friendly look and dermatologist recommendations. Glamour + NY Mag
🍳 Caraway continues to earn top marks across lifestyle and food publications for its stylish, non-toxic cookware and kitchen essentials. The brand’s cookware set is praised for its sleek design, even heat distribution, and easy-to-clean ceramic coating, making it a standout for both beginners and experienced home cooks. Esquire + Food & Wine
🍫 Feastables announced that 100% of the cocoa in its chocolate products is now Fairtrade certified. This commitment ensures ethical sourcing, better working conditions, and fair compensation for cocoa farmers. The move supports sustainability and aligns with growing consumer demand for responsibly made snacks. PR Newswire