Exo
EXO Protein is a Brooklyn-based, DTC food brand selling cricket (Acheta) protein bars, breakfast bars, and cricket powder through its Shopify storefront and subscription service to health-, fitness-, and sustainability-minded consumers in the US and Canada.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersBrooklyn, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Exo does
EXO Protein is a direct-to-consumer food brand that produces cricket-based (Acheta) protein products, including prebiotic protein bars, breakfast bars, and cricket powder. Founded in 2014 by Greg Sewitz and Gabi Lewis and headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, the company operates a Shopify-powered online storefront (exoprotein.com) and ships from a Chicago distribution warehouse to customers in the continental United States (excluding Alaska and Hawaii) and Canada via USPS international services. Its core technology is the Acheta Protein formulation — cricket protein derived from indoor-farmed crickets fed a Certified-Organic, grain-based diet — combined with prebiotic chitin, vitamin B12, and minerals to deliver a complete amino acid profile in bar and powder formats.
The company sells to health-conscious consumers, fitness and outdoor enthusiasts, gut-health-focused buyers, specialized-diet followers (paleo, keto, dairy-free, gluten-free), and environmentally motivated shoppers seeking lower-impact protein alternatives. Revenue is generated through one-time e-commerce purchases, ReCharge-powered subscriptions (offering 10% savings with 30/60/90-day delivery cadence and free shipping above $50), wholesale via the Hoppy Planet Foods Faire storefront, and digital gift cards in $10–$100 denominations. The company is owned by Hoppy Planet Foods, LLC, has raised $5.2M in venture funding across two rounds in 2014 and 2016 led or supported by AccelFoods, Collaborative Fund, Dentsu Ventures, and Wakestream Ventures, and has received earned media coverage from NYT, Wired, Fast Company, Bloomberg Businessweek, Men's Fitness, USA Today, and Eater. Current product pages list several core SKUs as sold out, and no subsequent funding rounds or major retail partnerships have been disclosed.
Exo firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Exo
- Legal name
- Hoppy Planet Foods, LLC
- Website
- https://exoprotein.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- EXO Protein is a Brooklyn-based, DTC food brand selling cricket (Acheta) protein bars, breakfast bars, and cricket powder through its Shopify storefront and subscription service to health-, fitness-, and sustainability-minded consumers in the US and Canada.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Exo industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Alternative Protein Snacks
- NAICS
- Other Snack Food Manufacturing (311919)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090), Food And Kindred Products (2000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Alternative Protein Snacks, Bars & RTD Nutrition Manufacturing (AFAKAGAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Health/Protein Snack Bars Manufacturing (AFAKAIAN), Sports & Performance Nutrition Foods Manufacturing (Protein Foods, Energy Gels/Bars) (AFAKAJAE), Ready-to-eat protein packs (meat/cheese/egg snack packs) manufacturing (AFAKAHAK)
Keywords
Where Exo is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brooklyn
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Exo business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Direct E-commerce Sales: EXO sells protein bars, breakfast bars, and cricket powder directly to consumers through their Shopify e-commerce store. One-time purchases and subscription options available. Products shipped from Chicago warehouse.
- Subscription Service: Recurring subscription model offering 10% savings on protein bars (12-bar boxes) and powders delivered every 30, 60, or 90 days. Subscribers receive free shipping on orders over $50. Managed through ReCharge subscription platform.
- Gift Cards: Digital gift cards sold in denominations of $10, $25, $50, and $100, allowing customers to purchase EXO products as gifts.
- Wholesale: Wholesale distribution through Hoppy Planet Foods Faire storefront, enabling retail partners to stock EXO products.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Monthly | Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Bars - 12 bars per box |
| One time/ perpetual license | Monthly | Cookie Dough Protein Bars - 12 bars per box |
| One time/ perpetual license | Monthly | Chocolate Fudge Brownie Protein Bars - 12 bars per box |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Acheta (Cricket) Powder - 1 Pound |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Acheta (Cricket) Powder - 1/4 Pound |
| One time/ perpetual license | Monthly | Prebiotic Protein Bar Variety Box - 12 bars |
| One time/ perpetual license | Monthly | Blueberry Muffin Breakfast Bars - 12 bars per box |
| One time/ perpetual license | Monthly | Banana Bread Breakfast Bars - 12 bars per box |
| One time/ perpetual license | Monthly | Salted Caramel Prebiotic Protein Bars - 12 bars per box |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | EXO Gift Cards |
| Subscription | Annual | Subscription Service |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Exo product offering
Product offeringCore offering
EXO Protein manufactures and sells cricket (Acheta) protein-based nutrition products — including protein bars, breakfast bars, and cricket powder — formulated with prebiotic chitin and packaged as dairy-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, shelf-stable snacks. The company sells direct-to-consumer through its own Shopify storefront with a subscription option, and distributes via a wholesale storefront under Hoppy Planet Foods.
Product overview
EXO Protein offers a focused portfolio of cricket (Acheta) protein-based food products centered on sustainable nutrition. The core product line consists of protein bars in two categories: Prebiotic Protein Bars (Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Cookie Dough, and Salted Caramel flavors) and Breakfast Bars (Banana Bread and Blueberry Muffin), all featuring Acheta protein as the primary protein source combined with prebiotic chitin and Vitamin B12. The product line is complemented by Acheta Cricket Powder available in 1-pound and 1/4-pound sizes, which serves as a versatile ingredient for smoothies, baking, and cooking. A Prebiotic Protein Bar Variety Box offers a 12-bar assortment of the main protein bar flavors. Gift cards round out the offerings. All products share a common positioning around sustainability, non-GMO ingredients, dairy-free and gluten-free formulations, and the use of cricket protein as an alternative protein source.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Prebiotic Protein Bar Variety Box A 12-bar variety pack of cricket (Acheta) protein bars in Fudge Brownie, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, and Cookie Dough flavors; dairy-free, gluten-free, with prebiotic chitin and Vitamin B12; intended for health-conscious consumers seeking convenient, sustainable protein snacks.
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Bars Cricket-protein bar combining peanut butter and chocolate chip flavors; chewy format with prebiotic chitin and Vitamin B12; dairy-free, gluten-free, sustainably produced; sold in 12-bar boxes; subscription available with 10% savings.
- Chocolate Fudge Brownie Protein Bars Chocolate-fudge-brownie-flavored cricket-protein bar with prebiotic chitin, Vitamin B12, and real fudge chunks; dairy-free, gluten-free, sustainably produced; sold in 12-bar boxes; subscription available.
- Cookie Dough Protein Bars Soft and chewy cricket-protein bar in classic cookie dough flavor with prebiotic chitin and Vitamin B12; dairy-free, gluten-free, sustainably produced; sold in 12-bar boxes; subscription available with 10% discount.
- Salted Caramel Prebiotic Protein Bars Soft and chewy cricket-protein bar with salty-sweet caramel flavor, no added sugar; contains Acheta protein, prebiotic chitin, and Vitamin B12; dairy-free, gluten-free, sustainably produced; sold in 12-bar boxes; subscription available.
- Banana Bread Breakfast Bars Banana-bread-flavored cricket-protein breakfast bar positioned as the nutritional equivalent of egg, toast, and fruit; non-GMO, all-natural, dairy-free, gluten-free, sustainably produced; sold in 12-bar boxes; subscription option available.
- Blueberry Muffin Breakfast Bars Soft and chewy blueberry-muffin-flavored cricket-protein breakfast bar with prebiotics, protein, and vitamins; non-GMO, all-natural, dairy-free, gluten-free, sustainably produced; sold in 12-bar boxes; subscription option available.
- Acheta (Cricket) Powder - 1 Pound 100% milled crickets in 1-pound powder form with a light cocoa-and-cashew flavor; provides 6g complete protein per serving plus prebiotics, Vitamin B12, copper, biotin, zinc, iodine, and manganese; non-GMO, dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free; suitable for Keto, Paleo, and Mediterranean diets; for smoothies, baking, and cooking.
- Acheta (Cricket) Powder - 1/4 Pound Smaller 4-ounce size of 100% milled cricket protein powder with a light cocoa-and-cashew flavor; non-GMO, dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free; intended for individual consumers using cricket powder in smoothies, baking, and cooking.
- EXO Gift Card Digital gift cards available in $10, $25, $50, and $100 denominations for gifting EXO Protein products to friends and family; positioned for holidays, birthdays, and thank-you occasions.
Quantifiable outcome
- 6g complete protein per serving of cricket powder with all 9 essential amino acids
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Exo
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Exo technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature3 records
Exo partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.
- Hoppy Planet FoodsEXO Protein has joined the Hoppy Planet Foods Family. The company is now operated by Hoppy Planet Foods, LLC, as stated in the Terms of Service. This represents a strategic acquisition or merger combining the two cricket protein/alternative protein companies.
- ShopifycoreShopify powers the EXO Protein online e-commerce store, providing the platform for direct-to-consumer sales, order processing, and payment fulfillment.
- Google AnalyticssupportingGoogle Analytics is used to understand how customers browse and interact with the EXO website, helping optimize marketing and sales performance.
- ReChargecoreReCharge powers the subscription and recurring billing service for EXO Protein, enabling customers to subscribe to recurring deliveries of bars and powders with automated billing.
- PrintfulminorEXO has partnered with Printful to offer custom branded merchandise (swag). Products are made-to-order, taking 2-7 business days to produce plus shipping time. Swag ships separately from food products.
- USPSsupportingUSPS is the exclusive carrier for international shipping options (Priority Mail International and First Class Package International) to Canada.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Exo competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- RXBAR: RXBAR is a mainstream protein bar brand (acquired by Mars Inc.) sold across grocery, club, and DTC channels. It is a broad incumbent operating in the same shelf-stable protein bar category where EXO competes, with vastly superior scale, distribution, and marketing budgets but no alternative protein angle.
- Oatly: Oatly is a leading plant-based dairy alternative brand with significant retail and coffee-shop distribution. It is a broad incumbent in the alt-protein movement where EXO competes for similar sustainability-motivated consumers and category-defining marketing mindshare.
- Quest Nutrition: Quest Nutrition is a large-scale protein bar, cookie, and snack brand with deep DTC and retail penetration. It is a broad incumbent competing for the same protein-snack occasions as EXO but at much lower price points and with significantly broader SKU and flavor breadth.
- Clif Bar: Clif Bar (owned by Mondelēz) is a long-established sports nutrition and energy bar brand. It competes with EXO for the same active-lifestyle consumer occasions and breakfast/snack occasions, with vastly greater retail and grocery distribution.
- KIND Snacks: KIND Snacks (owned by Mars Inc.) is a major better-for-you snack bar brand competing directly for the clean-label, health-conscious protein-snack occasions that EXO targets. It is a broad incumbent at much greater scale and broader retail distribution.
- Impossible Foods: Impossible Foods is a major alternative protein company selling plant-based meat analogues to retail and foodservice. It is a broad incumbent in the broader alt-protein ecosystem where EXO competes for sustainability-driven consumer dollars and capital allocation.
- Beyond Meat: Beyond Meat is a leading alternative protein brand focused on plant-based meat analogues. It is a broad incumbent in the alternative protein movement that overlaps thematically with EXO's sustainability messaging while operating in a much larger and more capitalized category.
Direct peers
- Chirps Chips: Chirps Chips makes cricket-flour tortilla chips as a DTC snack brand — the closest direct peer to EXO in cricket-protein consumer food, targeting similar health- and sustainability-conscious Western consumers with a comparable D2C e-commerce model.
- Bitty Foods: Bitty Foods produces cricket-flour baked snacks and baked goods, making it a direct peer to EXO in the alternative-protein consumer snack category with the same cricket-protein formulation angle and DTC distribution approach.
- Cricket Flours: Cricket Flours is a UK-based company selling cricket flour and cricket-based ingredients to both consumers and food manufacturers, a direct peer sharing EXO's underlying Acheta-style protein technology and overlap on the consumer cricket powder business.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Exo social profiles
Digital presenceExo financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Exo leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Exo funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors7 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Exo 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 Exo
What does Exo do?
EXO Protein manufactures and sells cricket (Acheta) protein-based nutrition products — including protein bars, breakfast bars, and cricket powder — formulated with prebiotic chitin and packaged as dairy-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, shelf-stable snacks. The company sells direct-to-consumer through its own Shopify storefront with a subscription option, and distributes via a wholesale storefront under Hoppy Planet Foods.
Is Exo a public or private company?
Exo is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Exo founded?
Exo was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Exo based?
Exo is headquartered in Brooklyn, United States, in the North America region.
How does Exo make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Direct E-commerce Sales are the primary driver. The others are subscription Service, gift Cards and wholesale.
Who are Exo's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are RXBAR, Oatly, Quest Nutrition, Clif Bar, KIND Snacks, Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat. Direct peers are Chirps Chips, Bitty Foods and Cricket Flours.
Does Exo have an API?
No public API is recorded for Exo.
What industry is Exo in?
Exo's product category is Alternative Protein Snacks. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAKAGAK, Alternative Protein Snacks, Bars & RTD Nutrition Manufacturing, with a secondary code of AFAKAIAN, Health/Protein Snack Bars Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 311919 and its SIC code is 2090.