Taste Radio

An early-stage investment in Sweetgreen helped set the table. Now, Maxine Kozler Koven is focused on funding companies whose brands will complete the meals of future generations.  Koven is the co-founder and co-managing partner of LDR Ventures & Consulting, a female-led, California-based venture capital and management consulting firm. LDR invests in and advises consumer brands, technology and service companies at the seed and Series A level. In addition to Sweetgreen, the firm’s portfolio includes stakes in online grocery platform Thrive Market, organic herbal tea brand Shaka Tea, better-for-you meal kit company Territory Foods and Moku, a brand of mushroom-based jerky.    LDR’s primary focus is providing mentorship and investment in companies led by female and BIPOC entrepreneurs. The goal, according to the firm, is to address systemic shifts and emerging behavioral trends, and simply “make people’s lives better.”   In an interview recorded at BevNET Live Winter 2021, we spoke with Koven, who was a speak