PowerPlant Ventures (now GroundForce Capital)

PowerPlant Ventures — now operating as GroundForce Capital following a rebrand in July 2023 — is a Los Angeles-based growth-equity venture capital firm founded in 2015 and headquartered in Manhattan Beach, California. The firm was co-founded by four industry operators: Mark Rampolla (founder of ZICO Beverages), Kevin Boylan and T.K. Pillan (co-founders of Veggie Grill, the largest plant-centric restaurant chain in the United States), and Dan Gluck (previously co-founder of Health Warrior, acquired by PepsiCo in 2018). The founders' operating backgrounds anchor the firm's thesis: plant-based food and beverage, foodservice, and food technology backed by founders with genuine category expertise. Fund III expanded coverage to consumer technology, services, and enablement companies supporting human and planetary health. PowerPlant leads rounds and writes checks of $15 million to $40 million per company. The firm has raised three funds: Fund I at $42 million (2016, the largest animal-free food fund at the time), Fund II at $165 million (2019, oversubscribed against a $100 million target), and Fund III at $330 million (2022) — $537 million in committed capital in aggregate. The portfolio includes 2 unicorns, 1 IPO, and 9 acquisitions across 51 investments. Notable companies include Beyond Meat (IPO exit), Ripple Foods, Thrive Market, Apeel Sciences, JUST Egg, REBBL, and OWYN (acquired by The Simply Good Foods Company for $280 million in June 2024). GroundForce Capital continues to invest with the same team and thesis under the new name, targeting the growth-equity gap between early Series A venture and large-cap private equity in the better-for-you consumer economy. The firm evaluates deals on management strength, leadership in an emerging category, solid financial fundamentals, and durable brand advantage — criteria honed by founders who built and sold consumer companies of their own.