Once-Hot Bagel Startup Has Dough Troubles

Earlier this year, when healthy-bagel startup BetterBrand was looking to raise more capital, things seemed to be going well. The firm told investors revenue was on track to roughly double this year, and it was expanding into Europe.

But founder and CEO Aimee Yang thought the company should be valued at between $250 million and $300 million, above the $170 million valuation the firm had secured in mid-2023 from investors that included Alexis Ohanian’s Seven Seven Six. Yang was resistant to taking a flat or lower valuation, communications with investors show, and the brand ultimately couldn’t raise significant cash.