VANCOUVER, B.C. – Scout, a maker of deliciously crafted seafood, on Wednesday announced a $4 million dollar seed funding round that will accelerate the company’s omni-channel brand strategy and operational expansion.
The round is led by Semillero Partners, a seed and growth-stage investment firm focused on responsible food and beverage, and Export Development Canada (EDC), along with participation from Almanac insights, an early stage fund focused on companies making a transformative impact on food systems.
“We first brought Scout to market just over two years ago with the ambitious goal to change how consumers perceive and experience seafood,” said Adam Bent, co-founder and CEO of Scout. “We are more committed than ever to transforming the craft of preserving seafood into a cultural mainstay by celebrating bold ingredients and unexpected culinary techniques alongside complete transparency from boat to plate.”
Co-founders Chef Charlotte Langley, Adam Bent and Nate Dunn together have grown Scout from a side hustle into the rapidly emerging omni-channel brand that it is today. Since launching in June 2020, Scout has expanded beyond its Canadian headquarters to bring responsibly sourced, restaurant-quality canned seafood to the United States. The brand can now be found in more than 1,500 major and specialty retail doors across the country with major nationwide and regional retailer launches on the horizon for 2023.
The company's chef-crafted product lineup features unique recipes and species that introduce consumers to more than canned tuna, including best-selling Atlantic Canadian Lobster in a bright, lemon-infused olive oil. Additional fan favorites include Rainbow Trout with Dill sourced from Idaho spring-fed rivers, and Smoked Wild Pink Salmon sourced from Alaska.
“Consumers are increasingly focused on the origins of their food, and they are equally seeking out goods that offer a more thoughtfully designed experience from packaging to taste,” said Alex Borschow, managing partner of Semillero Partners. “Through meticulous sourcing practices and the highest quality standards, Scout is raising the bar for the pantry aisle, and we look forward to leveraging our extensive experience in the food and beverage sector to support their mission.”
The seed round comes on the heels of Scout’s B Corp certification, a rigorous designation based on a company’s social and environmental performance. Scout is one of a select few seafood companies in North America to earn a B Corp certification.
