Taste Radio

Investors often say that they evaluate a company’s potential based on business fundamentals, such as gross margin, retail velocity and brand awareness. As much as anything, however, personal alignment with entrepreneurs in terms of character, vision and demeanor is core to the investment philosophy of Manna Tree Partners.  A private equity firm whose stated mission is “to invest in the future of human health,” Manna Tree holds stakes in 11 companies, several of which were represented at its inaugural Global Health Forum in March, which focused on the future of longevity through food and nutrition.  During the conference, we sat down with Manna Tree’s three co-founders and three portfolio company entrepreneurs to examine the origins and development of their relationships. The conversations revealed how their personal friendship established a baseline for trust and helped create positive outcomes for each of the companies. The conversations paired Manna Tree CEO Ellie Rubenstein with Dana Ehrlich, the founder a