Hospitality & Tourism  April 22, 2015

EVS Capital invests in maker of dairy-free chocolate sauces

LOUISVILLE — Boulder-based EVS Capital LLC has taken an equity state in Jen’s Zen LLC, a maker and distributor of dairy-free chocolate sauces based in Louisville.

Jen Zen’s founder, Jennifer Lane, on Wednesday declined to disclose the amount of the investment or the percent of equity EVS Capital has taken in her company.

Evan Garber, president of EVS Capital, said Lane continues to own “a significant percentage of the company.” He said in addition to the seed-round of funding, EVS will offer consulting services as the company continues to expand.

Lane said the money will be used to develop new products, increase brand exposure and increase distribution.

Lane began producing chocolate dessert toppings made with coconut milk in 2011. Lane started Jen’s Zen because her son was born with a milk allergy and she wanted to share her dairy-free products with others who can’t indulge in products traditionally made with cream and butter. Jen’s Zen products also do not contain gluten, corn syrup or soy and achieved USDA organic certification in February of this year.

Lane said the chocolate sauces are being produced at Redlaw Sauce Co. in Golden, where it specializes in co-packing and private-label production.

Jen’s Zen chocolate are sold in approximately 250 stores in 26 states. They are available locally at Whole Foods Market, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Alfalfa’s, Lucky’s Market, plus natural and specialty stores and online.

 

LOUISVILLE — Boulder-based EVS Capital LLC has taken an equity state in Jen’s Zen LLC, a maker and distributor of dairy-free chocolate sauces based in Louisville.

Jen Zen’s founder, Jennifer Lane, on Wednesday declined to disclose the amount of the investment or the percent of equity EVS Capital has taken in her company.

Evan Garber, president of EVS Capital, said Lane continues to own “a significant percentage of the company.” He said in addition to the seed-round of funding, EVS will offer consulting services as the company continues to expand.

Lane said the money will be used to develop new products, increase brand…

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