To try a graze box, arrange a chat with one of the founders, or find out more just email .

press releases

• 1st July 2009 healthy appetite? graze.com thrills consumers and investors alike >

  Just six months after its official launch in January 2009, graze.com, the UK's first company to deliver healthy food by post, is now delivering over 80,000 boxes per month.

  In order to maintain this impressive level of growth, the company has just secured a £2M investment from the backers of LOVEFiLM.com, Octopus Ventures and DFJ Esprit.

  The service already has over 15,000 subscribers who pay £2.99 per box. People can select their favourite foods from a range of 150 different items ranging from fresh pineapple to wasabi peanuts and dried berries.

  The majority of this fantastic growth has been through word of mouth and recommendation: graze.com fans so enjoy the variety of foods that they get sent that many of them post blog entries and tweet about the contents of their boxes.

  The company will use the investment money to enable further growth and invest in new product lines.

  

  The funding round was led by Octopus Ventures, a specialist investor in early-stage and expanding companies, and supported by DFJ Esprit, member of the world's largest network of venture capital funds, and existing investors including Arts Alliance and Robin Klein. Another of the existing investors, William Reeve, co-founder of LOVEFiLM, has been appointed non-executive Chairman of Graze.

  Graham Bosher, co-founder, graze,com, said: “We're delighted by the consumer response to graze so far. There are so many more things we can offer our subscribers in terms of product innovation and that's what we will be using this investment to do. We want to drive a food revolution in the UK and prove that healthy foods can make you smile. It's going to be a strong partnership with investors we know will deliver great experience and wisdom.”

  William Reeve, Chairman, graze.com, said: “The combination of Octopus' Private Investor Group and DFJ Esprit's global network offers a pool of relevant experience that is already proving invaluable to the team. Their successful LOVEFiLM.com investment gives them a good insight into the key features behind graze.com's exciting growth.”

  Commenting on today's announcement, Alex Macpherson, Chief Executive of Octopus Ventures, said: “We are delighted to be backing Graze's dynamic team of proven, experienced entrepreneurs. From the outset we have been impressed by the management team's vision, enthusiasm, and professionalism.

  Graze's commitment to making healthy eating as easy as possible, combined with the quality of its produce, is proving extremely popular with consumers. We believe the Company is a highly compelling investment opportunity for our investors and are really looking forward to working with the Graze team as it embarks on its next phase of growth.”

  Alliott Cole, led the investment on behalf of Octopus and was supported by Luke Hakes. John Finnemore (Associate) of Shoosmiths was legal adviser to Octopus. Gordons were the Company’s legal representatives. Nic Brisbourne led the deal on behalf of DFJ Esprit.

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  about graze (www.graze.com)

  graze.com was started by 7 friends who all share a passion for food. When we found we couldn't eat the food we loved at work, we asked around and realised there were loads of people just like us. So in April 2007 we decided to stop playing off-peak foodies and go full time. We took the plunge, gave up our jobs and built the graze kitchen.

  We now spend all our time sourcing the foods we love and finding even better ways to get them to you. In our first month we sent out over 8,000 boxes and six months later we are already feeding 20,000 people every week.

   

  about Octopus Ventures (www.octopusinvestments.com / www.octopusventures.com)

  Octopus Ventures, a subsidiary of Octopus Investments, is a venture capital company that focuses on identifying early stage business opportunities that show significant potential for explosive growth.

  Octopus Ventures has access to a network of over 100 independent investors that make up the Octopus Investor Group. The group backs UK entrepreneurs and aids in their success by providing both knowledge and industry contacts. The majority of group members are highly experienced leaders in their field who have built or are building businesses. Their time and experience, given alongside that of Octopus, provides companies with the type of developmental assistance and resource that is usually beyond the means of most small businesses.

  Over the past ten years, the Octopus Ventures team has invested £26m into 30 companies and generated a realised return of 3.5× cash on cash (equivalent to 49% IRR). Across the entire portfolio (including those investments not yet realised), Octopus Ventures’ IRR is 20% (IPEVCG guidelines 31st December 2008).

  In October 2007, Octopus Investments launched Octopus Titan VCT 1 & 2 which raised more than £30 million. Octopus Ventures is the Investment Manager of this Fund. The focus of the Fund is to generate real returns on investors' money over the long term by investing into unquoted companies with strong growth potential.

  The typical deal size ranges from £500,000 to £2 million and the portfolio is expected to encompass investments in 20-25 unquoted companies. The Fund is structured as a twin VCT to enable it to make investments of up to £2 million per company, twice the amount possible for single VCTs. To date seven companies have received funding.

  Following the strong investor demand for Octopus Titan VCT 1 & 2, Octopus Titan VCT 3 plc was launched in May 2008. Like the previous Titan VCTs, Octopus Titan 3 is designed to deliver strong returns to investors through investment into 20-30 smaller UK companies. To date three companies have received funding from Octopus Titan VCT 3.

  Octopus Ventures Limited is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Services Authority, 25 The North Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London E14 5HS. Registered office: 8 Angel Court, London EC2R 7HP. Registered in England & Wales under No. 03843058

   

  about DFJ Esprit (www.dfjesprit.com)

  DFJ Esprit is a leading cross-stage venture capital firm that invests in European technology and media companies. Members of the DFJ Esprit team have been active in technology investing since 1985 and have experience of investing in over 135 companies and generating strong returns for investors through building valuable companies alongside the founders and management teams. The DFJ Esprit partners have invested in many of Europe’s most successful venture exits of recent years, including Buy.at, Alphamosaic, KVS and Blackspider. DFJ Esprit is the European partner for the DFJ Global Network of venture funds, the largest such network in the world with offices in 33 cities spanning four continents.

   
• 11th March 2009 graze to improve energy, weight loss and immunity >

  Ever reached for the biscuit tin mid-afternoon because you were having an energy slump and couldn't concentrate? We've all had moments when we've needed a bit of sugar to pep ourselves up. But it doesn't have to be that way.

  graze.com, the UK's first healthy eating by post company, offers busy office workers the chance to have delicious food delivered straight to their desks. Most boxes deliver at least three of your five a day from a selection of over 100 treats, ranging from fresh pineapple to exotic goji berries.

  “Eating little and often will ensure consistent blood sugar levels, especially if you stick to healthier foods”, says graze.com's nutritionist Roz Kadir, who was also the nutritional therapist for England's Rugby World Cup winning squad. “This means you are less likely to have an energy slump, reach for unhealthy fast foods, or lose concentration throughout the day.”

  

  Here are some reasons why Roz is such a big fan of grazing:

  1. Grazing regularly ensures constant blood sugar levels meaning you'll have good energy levels all day long.
  2. Excess sugar in the blood gets turned into fat; grazing prevents this from happening, helping you to lose weight.
  3. Variety is key to eating well. The more different foods you consume, the broader the range of nutrients your body can use to keep you fit and maintain a strong immune system.
  4. As the grazing portions are smaller (and as long as you're eating well 80% of the time), you are definitely allowed the odd treat — even chocolate buttons.

   

  How does the graze.com healthy snacks by post service work?

  When you log onto graze.com you are offered a wide selection of foods: nuts, dried fruits, fresh fruit, olives and even chocolate buttons. You simply rate all the foods, and then the graze team will create a tailored box of three snacks and pop it in the post to arrive the next day. As there are over 100 foods to choose from, the snacks you get are different every time to ensure variety and balance.

  Of the 16,000 grazers who have already signed up, most tend to order two boxes a week but you aren't obliged to set up a regular order. Once you've set your preferences, you can decide when you'd like to have a delicious box of snacks arrive at your office.

  To try a graze box, arrange a chat with Roz Kadir or one of the founders, or find out more just email .

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  the team

  graze.com was started by 7 friends who all share a passion for food. When we found we couldn't eat the food we loved at work, we asked around and realised there were loads of people just like us. So in April 2007 we decided to stop playing off-peak foodies and go full time. We took the plunge, gave up our jobs and built the graze kitchen.

  We now spend all our time sourcing the foods we love and finding even better ways to get them to you. In our first month we sent out over 8,000 boxes and by the end of our first year we’re hoping to feed 30,000 office workers each week.

   

  about Roz Kadir, the graze nutritionist

  As part of the team, Roz brings all her experience and knowledge in helping create the perfect balance in the graze nutritional boxes.

  She is the Vice Chairman of Governors at the Institute for Optimum Nutrition; her experience includes working within the NHS, running a Harley Street practice and consulting professional athletes which she continues to do today. What's more, she works with blue chip companies teaching staff members how to maintain energy and support immunity by snacking healthily.

  Roz was the approved nutritional therapist for the winning England Rugby World Cup squad, which makes her a national hero at the graze kitchen. In the build up to the tournament she worked with the players creating personal nutrition plans to enhance performance and reduce recovery time. Neil Back was so impressed he told Roz he'd eat tree bark if she told him to. During the tournament she ensured all the players were eating exactly as they should, even travelling ahead to hotels to make sure the chef's food lived up to her specific requirements. While at the England Rugby Union Roz co-wrote the book 'Eating for England'.

   
• 16th December 2008  (updated 29/01/09) graze.com coming to a desk near you, healthy eating by post >

  From 6th January 2009, graze.com will allow British office workers to improve the way they eat at work. They can order tasty food online and get it delivered to their desks. With boxes containing everything from exotic goji berries to fresh pineapple, graze.com is all about making it easy to eat better at work.

  Priced at £2.99, you can choose a box put together by the graze nutrition team, or set your own preferences so graze can make you the perfect box with that days freshest produce. You can even choose to have three of your five a day guaranteed in every graze box.

  graze.com is a healthy way to eat - it promotes stable blood sugar and a varied balanced diet, plus you know that nothing in a graze box will ever contain artificial colourings, flavourings or preservatives.

  Graham Bosher, managing director of graze.com and founder of LOVEFiLM says, "We want to help people eat better at work. Lunch doesn't have to mean soggy sandwiches and junk food with lots of artificial ingredients. You can eat amazing, natural food that just arrives at your desk. In less than five minutes online, you can revolutionise the way you eat during the day."

  Roz Kadir, chief nutritionist at graze.com comments, "We are all familiar with that 3pm slump in energy. Eating the graze way is all about long term sustained energy, more balance and variety, improved immunity and if done correctly it can help you lose a few pounds too. I'm so excited about bringing grazing to the nation. My experience with the England Rugby team has proven that eating the graze way, using low GI foods, can dramatically improve performance and focus."

  Created by some of the team behind LOVEFiLM, graze.com has taken all that postal and online expertise, added passion for good food and genuine innovation (graze are the first company ever to send fresh fruit using the post). This is one lunch that won’t have you slumped across your keyboard by 3pm.

   

  - ends -

   

  the team

  graze.com was started by 7 friends who all share a passion for food. When we found we couldn't eat the food we loved at work, we asked around and realised there were loads of people just like us. So in April 2007 we decided to stop playing off-peak foodies and go full time. We took the plunge, gave up our jobs and built the graze kitchen.

  We now spend all our time sourcing the foods we love and finding even better ways to get them to you. In our first month we sent out over 8,000 boxes and by the end of our first year we’re hoping to feed 30,000 office workers each week.

   

  about Roz Kadir, the graze nutritionist

  As part of the team, Roz brings all her experience and knowledge in helping create the perfect balance in the graze nutritional boxes.

  She is the Vice Chairman of Governors at the Institute for Optimum Nutrition; her experience includes working within the NHS, running a Harley Street practice and consulting professional athletes which she continues to do today. What's more, she works with blue chip companies teaching staff members how to maintain energy and support immunity by snacking healthily.

  Roz was the approved nutritional therapist for the winning England Rugby World Cup squad, which makes her a national hero at the graze kitchen. In the build up to the tournament she worked with the players creating personal nutrition plans to enhance performance and reduce recovery time. Neil Back was so impressed he told Roz he'd eat tree bark if she told him to. During the tournament she ensured all the players were eating exactly as they should, even travelling ahead to hotels to make sure the chef's food lived up to her specific requirements. While at the England Rugby Union Roz co-wrote the book 'Eating for England'.

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