Santatera Capital Announces $1M Investment in Refresh Gum’s $2M Seed Round

Santatera Capital is proud to announce its leadership in the $2 million seed round investment in Refresh Gum, a New York-based company revolutionizing the chewing gum industry. This funding round, completed in Q4 2024, represents a significant step in Refresh Gum’s journey to redefine confectionery with its plant-based, clean-label chewing gum.

Refresh Gum has gained recognition for its innovative approach, using chicle—a natural tree sap—as a sustainable alternative to the synthetic plastics and artificial ingredients commonly found in traditional gum. Refresh offers five unique flavors including Garden Mint, Raspberry, Peppermint, Bubble Gum, and Peach, delivering a familiar chewing experience that captures the look, feel, and taste consumers love without the artificial ingredients or synthetic plastic base.

“We are thrilled to support Refresh Gum as they redefine the chewing gum market. Their commitment to innovation, sustainability, and exceptional quality aligns perfectly with Santatera’s mission to invest in purpose-driven brands. Refresh is not just creating a better product—they’re setting a new standard for what consumers can expect from this category, and we are excited to help them scale their vision.”

Ian Paul Otero, General Partner of Santatera Capital,

expressed the firm’s enthusiasm for this new partnership.

The investment will enable Refresh Gum to expand its retail presence, optimize its supply chain, enhance its marketing efforts, scale production, and accelerate innovation.

Ryan Stafford, Founder and CEO of Refresh Gum, highlighted the transformative impact of this funding:

“This investment is a pivotal moment for us. From the start, we’ve focused on running a lean, efficient operation, and this capital will help us to scale with confidence. Partnering with Santatera Capital is about more than funding—it’s about having a strategic ally who shares our vision. With their support, we’re focused on expanding into more retailers, building our team, continuing to innovate, and bringing Refresh Gum to even more consumers.”

This milestone also positions Refresh Gum to lead in a rapidly evolving market.

The global chewing gum industry is projected to reach $48.68 billion by 2025, with the better-for-you gum segment growing at an impressive 10.3% annually. Refresh has already demonstrated remarkable growth, with a +290% year-over-year sales increase and a strong presence in retailers such as Whole Foods, Wegmans, Meijer, Raley's, Giant Food, Erewhon, and others.

Stafford shared the company’s vision for the future:

“Our mission is to make Refresh Gum the go-to brand for health-conscious consumers who want high-quality products without compromising on taste or quality. This funding allows us to refine our operations, expand our product line, and continue setting new standards in the gum and confectionery space. We’re on a mission to give confectionery a refresh, creating a lasting impact with the highest quality ingredients and a nostalgic touch.”

Santatera Capital, is excited to partner with Refresh Gum in this next phase of growth. With its strategic expertise and shared values, Santatera aims to empower Refresh to scale its impact and continue transforming the chewing gum market. 

Santatera Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm focused on the food and beverage industry. It is part of Redwood, an Asset Manager with presence in the USA and Mexico, that drives entrepreneurship and transformative growth across diverse sectors.