Afia, a Mediterranean food company launched with a mission to make the region’s cuisine more accessible, recently announced the close of $3M Series A equity financing. Embree Capital Markets Group (Devansoy and HealtheMed), Semillero Partners (Imperfect Foods, Sanzo, Farmer’s Fridge), MJR Ventures (Better Sour and Nyssa Care), Roya Capital (Partake, Omsom, Maker Wine, Pulp Pantry) and other angel investors have joined together in the investment. This follows the initial investment secured in 2020, from Unorthodox Ventures.
The six-year-old company will use the funding to scale Afia’s core product line, open a new 21,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and headquarters in Taylor, Texas, later this year, launch new products and increase customer availability through traditional & online retailers and food service.
“This early investment will be pivotal in supporting our expansion plans which include a new manufacturing facility and a new line of products,” said Co-founder and CEO Yassin Sibai, who has directed Afia’s fundraising efforts. “We sought strategic partners in our investors who align with our vision. We are excited to work with them on our new phase of growth.”
Afia currently produces five different flavors of falafel and their online/Texas-exclusive kibbeh. They have been able to combine their growth with their mission of supporting the community, through job opportunities for refugees and food pantry donations.
“We were extremely pleased to lead this round of growth capital for an exciting and rapidly expanding brand that’s delivering healthy and delicious Mediterranean food options for consumers nationwide, while remaining true to its family heritage and community involvement,” stated Rocky Hardin, Chief Executive Officer of Embree Capital Markets Group and a member of the Afia Board of Directors.
The food company has seen significant growth in the last two years, tripling distribution since late 2020, by adding Whole Foods nationally, Sprouts, Publix, Giant Landover, Harris Teeter, and Wegmans to their roster of more than 3,000 retail locations nationwide.
About Afia
Afia, which means “to your health” in Arabic, is a Mediterranean food company headquartered in Austin, Texas, driven by a mission to make food powerful. Founded by Farrah Moussallati Sibai, who had resettled in Texas after enduring personal tragedy and loss in Syria, Afia’s products infuse the meals of her past with modern flavors. Using her mother-in-law's little black book of old Syrian family recipes, Moussallati Sibai began selling Afia’s signature frozen falafel and kibbeh at one farmers’ market in 2017. Afia now offers six different products at more than 3,000 locations nationwide and online. The founders are dedicated to nourishing the community through more than food. Beyond regular donations to local food banks, Afia is committed to supporting their local community of refugees through employment and mentoring.
