Archives: Announcements
A Spoonful of Sweetness: Bonumose
Client Success Story: Bonumose Opens Plant-Based, Prebiotic Sugar Alternative Manufacturing and Advanced R&D Facility in Virginia.
Charlottesville, VA – August Brown is happy to see a truly innovative company such as Bonumose progress in achieving its goals. The company’s new manufacturing and advanced R&D facility will exclusively focus on making Tagatose, a plant-based, prebiotic sugar alternative, accessible to all. The product has numerous benefits, including a lower calorie count, improved gut health, and a reduced risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes. The sweetener is also vegan-friendly, non-GMO, and gluten-free, making it an ideal alternative for health-conscious consumers.
Among other investments, a loan from X-Caliber Rural Capital, supported by an August Brown Feasibility Study, helped finance the new facility. So far, the 50,000-square-foot facility, located at 1500 State Farm Blvd, has brought more than 30 jobs to the Charlottesville community.
“Opening this new facility is an important milestone on the road to bringing the benefits of tagatose to the public,” said Ed Rogers, CEO of Bonumose. “More so than any other alternative to sugar and high-fructose corn syrup, we believe tagatose can enable better-for-you foods that are on parity for palatability and price with consumer favorites.”
About Bonumose, LLC. – Bonumose is a growth-stage startup food ingredient and enzyme innovation company based near Charlottesville, Virginia. Bonumose is supported by global strategic investors and “food for health”-focused institutional investors and an expanding network of global collaboration partners across the value chain. Bonumose developed and patented the methods for continuously producing high-purity tagatose from low-cost, plant-based starch. Bonumose’s process includes upcycling by-product/sidestream starch left over from its supply chain partners’ food production. Beyond food ingredients, Bonumose also is developing enzyme solutions for dietary supplements, crop protection, animal nutrition, and other globally-significant industries. Due to the global public health significance of Bonumose’s innovations, the World Economic Forum recently designated Bonumose as a “Technology Pioneer” for 2022. Bonumose operates with a philosophy of Business as a Moral Imperative.
About August Brown, LLC – Founded in 2011 by Dr. Gordon Nameni, August Brown is a boutique technology-focused management consulting and advisory firm specializing in feasibility studies. The August Brown team comprises passionate individuals from diverse backgrounds (engineers, CPAs, marketers, and analysts). August Brown provides feasibility studies that support USDA loans, M&A transactions, and financial decisions. The company delivers deep insights with analytical rigor that drive growth strategies, market positioning, and continuous improvement.
USDA Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program
August Brown and Nutriom Secure First Approval for USDA Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program
Milwaukee, WI and Panora, IA – August Brown is proud to announce the approval of the first successfully funded project through the new USDA Food Supply Chain (FSC) Guaranteed Loan program. Nutriom, an August Brown client, received nearly $12 million in loan funding from the FSC program. The funds will enable Nutriom to expand capacity, improve efficiency, and upgrade its distribution capabilities.
The Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program was launched FY2022 as part of the Build Back Better Initiative. With a core mission of strengthening critical supply chains and the United States food system, the USDA FSC Guaranteed Loan Program provides qualified applicants with up to $40 million for the financing of food systems projects, with a specific focus on the middle of the food supply chain. As of June 29, 2022, the program has $1,334,575,948 in available funds and is fully funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.
“The Food Supply Chain Loan Guarantee Program offers an excellent pathway to support companies that are critical in feeding America, “according to August Brown Founder and Managing Director Gordon Nameni, Ph.D.
One requirement of establishing eligibility for a USDA FSC Guaranteed Loan is the completion of a feasibility study by a qualified 3rd party provider. August Brown and Nutriom were able to work hand in hand to secure the first ever loan of its kind.
“Thank you August Brown for exceeding our expectations and making our experience flow so easily. Your company’s high level of expertise, attention to detail, and extremely thorough report have been most helpful in the planning process for our project. We will definitely use your firm for all of our future endeavors.”
Leonardo Etcheto, CEO, Nutriom
“Congratulations to Nutriom for becoming the first funded company through the food supply chain loan guarantee program. It’s gratifying to know that the August Brown Feasibility Study played a role in their success. “
Gordon Nameni, Managing Director, August Brown
About Nutriom, LLC. – Nutriom is a small, family-owned company that has been developing an innovative egg drying technology since 2001. The Nutriom process of drying eggs ensures that they keep all of their fresh flavor and functionality. The egg crystals are the only dehydrated egg that actually tastes just like fresh eggs. This proprietary method focuses on the fundamental processing technology itself, and therefore does not require the addition of chemicals, preservatives or any other additives to the product. The eggs produced are pure and 100% natural!
About August Brown, LLC – Founded in 2011 by Dr. Gordon Nameni, August Brown is a boutique technology-focused management consulting and advisory firm with a specialization in feasibility studies. The August Brown team is comprised of passionate individuals from a diverse set of backgrounds (engineers, CPAs, marketers and analysts). August Brown provides feasibility studies that support USDA loans, M&A transactions, and financial decisioning. The company delivers deep insights with analytical rigor that drive growth strategies, market positioning and continuous improvement.