Sambazon
Sambazon is a vertically integrated açaí company that sources wild-harvested açaí from the Brazilian Amazon, processes it at two Brazilian facilities, and distributes certified organic and fair trade frozen açaí products, beverages, and franchise bowl shops across 45+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersSan Clemente, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Sambazon does
Sambazon is a vertically integrated açaí food and beverage company founded in 2000 and headquartered in San Clemente, California. The company controls its supply chain from wild-harvesting in the Brazilian Amazon through processing at two purpose-built facilities in Macapa (opened 2005) and Barcarena (commissioned 2019, BRC AA grade) to distribution in over 30,000 retail doors across 45+ countries on five continents. Sambazon pioneered USDA Organic certification for açaí in 2003 and Fair Trade certification in 2008, and operates a 'Palm to Palm' traceability system covering roughly 40,552 hectares of certified harvest area. The company's leadership includes co-founder and CEO Ryan Black (named EY US Entrepreneur of the Year 2026 Pacific Southwest), co-founder and Chief Customer Officer Travis Baumgardner, COO/CFO Ricardo Perdigao (former Coca-Cola, British American Tobacco, SHV Energy), and CCO Chad Coester (former Albertsons, L.A. Libations).
The product portfolio spans frozen retail formats (Multi-Serve Bowl Blends, Ready-to-Eat and Ready-to-Top Açaí Bowls, Frozen Superfruit Packs, Açaí Rounds/Globes, Red Dragon Fruit Cubes), ready-to-drink beverages (Amazon Energy Drinks with yerba mate, green tea, and guaraná; Açaí Superfruit Juice), and foodservice SKUs (3-gallon Scoopable Tubs, 100g Blendable Packs, single-serve Ready-to-Eat Bowls). Sambazon also operates company-owned and franchise/licensed SAMBAZON Açaí Bowls retail locations at airports (ATL, CVG, MIA, LAS, EWR, CLT, SNA, MCO, PNS, PIT, SAN), universities (UCLA, CSUN, Nova Southeastern, UConn), and stadiums (Petco Park), with delivery integration through DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats. Loyalty and engagement include the SAMBAZON Rewards mobile app, Berry Good Rewards receipt-upload program for grocery shoppers, and a SAMBASSADOR influencer program featuring pro surfers Rob Machado and Coco Ho and NFL player JK Dobbins.
Revenue is generated through wholesale retail product sales to major grocery chains, franchise/license fees and direct retail sales from bowl shop locations, foodservice wholesale distribution through Webstaurant and Foodservice Direct, and direct-to-consumer e-commerce via sambazon.com. Disclosed funding totals approximately $90M+ across rounds, with a $65.08M capital raise in October 2025, a $45M round led by NextWorld Evergreen in 2021, and earlier rounds involving Stonyfield Farms and Partnership Capital Growth Investors. Recent strategic actions include a co-manufacturing and distribution partnership with Generous Brands/Bolthouse Farms (June 2024), franchise expansion including the first franchised location in Brooklyn (July 2025), Canadian retail launch at Sobeys (June 2025), and the March 2026 acquisition of Brazilian guarana sourcing and processing assets to extend vertical integration into an adjacent superfruit category.
Sambazon firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sambazon
- Legal name
- SAMBAZON, Inc.
- Website
- https://sambazon.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Sambazon is a vertically integrated açaí company that sources wild-harvested açaí from the Brazilian Amazon, processes it at two Brazilian facilities, and distributes certified organic and fair trade frozen açaí products, beverages, and franchise bowl shops across 45+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sambazon industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Frozen Açaí and Superfruit Foods
- NAICS
- Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing (3114), Snack Food Manufacturing (31191)
- SIC
- Canned, Frozen & Preservd Fruit, Veg & Food Specialties (2030), Food And Kindred Products (2000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Better-for-You / Functional Snacks (Low Sugar, Keto, Probiotic, Fortified) (CRADABAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Fruit Snacks & Dried Fruit (CRADABAJ), Frozen Ethnic & International Meals (CRADADAE)
Keywords
Where Sambazon is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Clemente
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Sambazon business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Retail Product Sales: Sale of frozen açaí products including bowl blends, superfruit packs, smoothies, drinks, and juices through major grocery retail chains nationwide
- Franchise/License Fees: Revenue from licensing the SAMBAZON Açaí Bowls brand to franchise operators and license partners at airports, universities, and other high-traffic locations
- Direct-to-Consumer Bowl Shop Sales: Revenue from company-owned and operated SAMBAZON Açaí Bowls locations including flagship store in Cardiff, CA and delivery orders through DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats
- Foodservice Distribution: Wholesale distribution of scoopable tubs, blendable packs, and ready-to-eat bowls to restaurants, cafes, and other food service operators through Webstaurant and Foodservice Direct
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Protein Yogurt Bowls at flagship locations |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | SAMBAZON Açaí Bowls shop menu pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Retail frozen products |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
Sambazon product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sambazon is a vertically integrated producer and distributor of certified Organic and Fair Trade açaí-based food and beverage products, manufacturing frozen açaí puree packs, scoopable multi-serve bowl blends, ready-to-eat and ready-to-top açaí bowls, açaí rounds, dragon fruit cubes, ready-to-drink superfruit juices, and Amazon Energy Drinks. Products are sold through major grocery retailers, foodservice distributors, company-operated and licensed SAMBAZON Açaí Bowls shops, and the company's e-commerce site.
Product overview
Sambazon is a vertically integrated açaí food and beverage company offering a portfolio of frozen açaí products across consumer retail (grocery) and foodservice channels, as well as operated bowl shop retail locations. The core product line consists of frozen açaí puree in various formats: Multi-Serve Bowl Blends (scoopable sorbet bases), Ready-to-Eat and Ready-to-Top Açaí Bowls, Frozen Superfruit Packs and Açaí Rounds for smoothie-making, and Red Dragon Fruit Cubes. Sambazon also produces Ready-to-Drink products including Amazon Energy Drinks (natural energy beverages with yerba mate and guaraná) and Açaí Superfruit Juice. The company operates SAMBAZON Açaí Bowls retail locations offering handcrafted bowls and smoothies, with delivery integration through DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats. Foodservice products include Scoopable Tubs, Blendable Packs, and Ready-to-Eat Bowls in commercial packaging. Loyalty programs include SAMBAZON Rewards (app-based for bowl shops) and Berry Good Rewards (web-based for grocery shoppers). Recent launches include Multi-Serve Bowl Blends and Protein Yogurt Bowls.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Multi-Serve Bowl Blends
- Ready-to-Eat Açaí Bowls
- Ready-to-Top Açaí Bowls
- Frozen Açaí Superfruit Packs
- Açaí Rounds/Globes
- Red Dragon Frozen Fruit Cubes
- Amazon Energy Drinks
- Açaí Superfruit Juice
- SAMBAZON Açaí Bowls (Retail Bowl Shops)
- Scoopable Tubs (Foodservice)
- Blendable Packs (Foodservice)
- Ready-to-Eat Bowls (Foodservice)
- Protein Yogurt Bowls
Quantifiable outcome
- 40,552 hectares in Fair Trade-certified harvest area protecting Amazon biodiversity
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Sambazon
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Sambazon technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Feature3 records
Sambazon partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Generous Brands (Bolthouse Farms)coreJoint distribution agreement for co-manufacturing and distribution of certain Sambazon products, expanding production and distribution capabilities through Generous Brands' infrastructure.
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)coreLicense partnership for SAMBAZON Açaí Bowls location at CVG airport. Described as 'wildly successful' with sales exceeding expectations.
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)coreLicense partnership for SAMBAZON Açaí Bowls location at UCLA Student Union. Partnership expanding ASUCLA dining offerings with Fair Trade, Organic açaí.
- Nova Southeastern UniversitycoreLicense partnership for SAMBAZON Açaí Bowls at Nova Southeastern University locations, including main campus and Sanford L. Ziff Health Care Center.
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International AirportcoreLicense partnership for high-volume SAMBAZON Açaí Bowls location at ATL, one of the world's busiest airports.
- SobeysminorCanadian retail partner distributing SAMBAZON Organic Ready-To-Top Açaí Bowls in Sobeys grocery stores across Canada.
- Guarana Suppliers/ProducersminorSambazon mentioned as one of the acquirers targeting Brazilian guarana sourcing and processing assets in the Guarana market M&A activity.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Sambazon competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Smoothie King: Smoothie and açaí bowl franchise with national footprint serving health-conscious consumers on-the-go. Closest direct competitor to Sambazon's bowl shop franchise model and product portfolio.
- Tropical Smoothie Cafe: Fast-growing smoothie and bowl franchise targeting health-conscious consumers in similar retail locations including airports and shopping centers. Direct competitor in franchise smoothie/bowl space.
- Jamba: Iconic smoothie and bowl franchise with national US footprint. Directly competes with Sambazon Açaí Bowls shop concept and offers similar smoothie/bowl menu items.
- Bolthouse Farms: Major CPG brand for smoothies, juices, and plant-based beverages (under Generous Brands). Active distribution and co-manufacturing partner to Sambazon (2024 JV) and direct competitor in retail smoothie/juice category.
- Acai Roots: Direct açaí product competitor offering frozen açaí puree, bowls, and juices through retail channels. Closest product-line competitor to Sambazon in the açaí category.
Broad incumbents
- Naked Juice (PepsiCo): Mass-market premium smoothie/juice brand owned by PepsiCo. Competes directly with Sambazon's juice and smoothie products in retail grocery at a larger scale.
- Evolution Fresh (Starbucks): Cold-pressed juice brand owned by Starbucks, sold in grocery and Starbucks stores. Competes in premium juice/smoothie category at larger scale.
- SunOpta: Large publicly-traded plant-based foods and beverages manufacturer serving retail and foodservice. Comparable in vertical integration, organic sourcing, and frozen/beverage manufacturing.
Emerging players
- Suja Life: Organic, cold-pressed juice and smoothie brand in retail grocery and foodservice. Overlaps with Sambazon's better-for-you positioning and Superfruit Juice line.
- Orgain: Organic plant-based protein and nutrition brand with retail distribution in natural and mainstream grocery. Overlaps with Sambazon's better-for-you/functional positioning and Protein Yogurt Bowl extension.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Sambazon social profiles
Digital presenceSambazon compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Sambazon financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sambazon leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Sambazon funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds10 records
Investors5 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sambazon M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sambazon
What does Sambazon do?
Sambazon is a vertically integrated producer and distributor of certified Organic and Fair Trade açaí-based food and beverage products, manufacturing frozen açaí puree packs, scoopable multi-serve bowl blends, ready-to-eat and ready-to-top açaí bowls, açaí rounds, dragon fruit cubes, ready-to-drink superfruit juices, and Amazon Energy Drinks. Products are sold through major grocery retailers, foodservice distributors, company-operated and licensed SAMBAZON Açaí Bowls shops, and the company's e-commerce site.
Is Sambazon a public or private company?
Sambazon is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Sambazon founded?
Sambazon was founded in 2000. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Sambazon based?
Sambazon is headquartered in San Clemente, United States, in the North America region.
How does Sambazon make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Retail Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are franchise/License Fees, direct-to-Consumer Bowl Shop Sales and foodservice Distribution.
Who are Sambazon's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Smoothie King, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Jamba, Bolthouse Farms and Acai Roots. Broad incumbents are Naked Juice (PepsiCo), Evolution Fresh (Starbucks) and SunOpta. Emerging players are Suja Life and Orgain.
Does Sambazon have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sambazon.
What industry is Sambazon in?
Sambazon's product category is Frozen Açaí and Superfruit Foods. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRADABAM, Better-for-You / Functional Snacks (Low Sugar, Keto, Probiotic, Fortified), with a secondary code of CRADABAJ, Fruit Snacks & Dried Fruit. Its NAICS code is 3114 and its SIC code is 2030.