The Vancouver start-up that's giving you the choice to kick sugar for the first time ever
VANCOUVER, July 14, 2016 /CNW/ - 99% of candy relies on sugar - for the first time ever Canadians have a choice. SmartSweets has innovated the first smart candy products that kick sugar and is a start-up based in Vancouver. Founded by Tara Bosch, a young entrepreneur, SmartSweets began one year ago in her kitchen and was incubated in The Next Big Thing Foundation's accelerator, a non-profit founded by Hootsuite CEO Ryan Holmes and Business in Vancouver Top 40 Under 40 winner Meredith Powell.
SmartSweets launched nationally for Canadians online today and onto BC retailer shelves. "It's about kicking sugar but keeping candy and creating a movement based on smarter choices. I believe we should be able to enjoy our favorite foods while feeling good and treating our bodies right," said Tara Bosch, CEO and founder of SmartSweets. Ryan Holmes, Founder of The Next Big Thing Foundation noted, "I've been waiting for a year to try these. They're delicious, I'm like killing the whole bag!" Shortly after being selected for The Next Big Thing Foundation, SmartSweets won the BC award for "Best Emerging Start-up" by the Notable awards 2016 and secured 105k in debt financing. Over SmartSweets pre-launch weekend, they sold out at their first expo and tripled their purchase orders from retailers, in addition to selling 1,500 units in less than a week.
According to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, excess sugar consumption is associated with three of the ten leading causes of death world-wide: Stroke, cancer & heart disease.1 With mounting evidence of sugar's negative impact on our health, The World Health Organization recently announced its strong recommendation to slash people's sugar intake to 5% - half of the current recommendation for Canadians2. SmartSweets is launching at a crucial time to help Canadians make smarter choices that kick sugar while enjoying the foods they love. SmartSweets' initial products are mouth-watering, chewy gummy bears that boast 2g sugar and the functional benefit of 24g plant based fibre for the entire bag. Every ingredient used is non-GMO, always real and never artificial - the gummy bears are colored with beta carotene and carrot.
For more information, please visit our website:
https://smartsweets.com
Full List of BC Retail Launch Locations:
- Choices Markets
- Natures Fare
- Pommes Natural Markets
- Lifestyle Markets
- Body Energy Club
- Finlandia Pharmacy
- Low Carb Grocer
- Reflex Supplements (Fleetwood)
- Sardis Natural Health
- Hangry Health Bar
- Training Day Café
- Sweet Something's
- Jack'd Nutrition & Supplements
About Tara Bosch:
Previously pursuing a bachelor of Arts at UBC, Tara dropped out in her third year to pursue her passion of innovating the first smart candy full-time.
"Growing up I developed an unhealthy relationship with food that affected my self-esteem and body image. As I got older it became apparent that healthy relationships in all areas of life come from smarter choices. It was this lesson paired with my love for candy that inspired my quest to create SmartSweets." - Tara Bosch, CEO/Founder SmartSweets
About SmartSweets:
SmartSweets is innovating smart choices in the confectionary market.
The custom stevia formulation SmartSweets uses allows us them to eliminate the use of sugar completely while off-setting the negative after-taste of stevia and replacing it with the functional benefit of plant-based fibre.
- Very High in Fibre
- No Artificial Anything
- Contains 95% Organic Ingredients
- Made with Natural Ingredients
- No Corn Fibre
- Gluten-Free
- Sugar-Alcohol Free
- GMO-Free
- Peanut & Tree Nut Free
- Dairy/Soy Free
About The Next Big Thing Foundation:
TNBT's Fellowship is Canada's premiere program that selects the top 20 under 23 Entrepreneurs from across Canada to accelerate their businesses.Founded by serial entrepreneurs Meredith Powell and Ryan Holmes in 2013, TNBT's community includes world-recognized investors, influencers & founders who share a passion for innovation.
Quotes:
"I've been waiting for a year to try these. They're delicious, I'm like killing the whole bag!" – Ryan Holmes, CEO of Hootsuite & Co-Founder of The Next Big Thing Foundation
"My daughter loves your SmartSweets gummy bears! I can feel good about giving her a treat made without sugar...myself as well. Thank you SmartSweets for giving us a healthier choice of candy." – Anna-Lee McKill, Mother of "Child eating SmartSweets" photo in press kit
"This product is exceptional!I have a big love of gummy candy but sugar has been my deterrent. By switching to #smartsweets, I have not given up flavour, texture or any of the goodness that comes along with a traditional candy. In fact, these taste better and are so much healthier." - Krystal McLennan.
"I really like SmartSweets because they are a perfect way to curb your candy craving without eating a ton of calories." - @Danny_GetsFit, Lost 140 lbs in his body transformation
SOURCE SmartSweets
Tara Bosch, [email protected]
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