Kate’s Ice Cream

What Kate’s Ice Cream does

Kate's Ice Cream is a Portland, Oregon-based plant-based and gluten-free ice cream company founded by Kate Williams in 2019 (with a predecessor business, Scoop Sights, launched in Cambridge, MA in 2014). The company's core product is a coconut cream-based ice cream made with organic coconut milk, cane sugar, tapioca syrup, extra virgin olive oil, and carob bean gum as a stabilizer, with no artificial preservatives and seasonal Northwest-sourced ingredients (marionberries, Smith Teamaker teas, Portland Coffee Roasters cold brew). The product line spans 13+ signature and rotating seasonal flavors, signature pints, ice cream sandwiches, custom 6-inch and 8-inch ice cream cakes, and the flagship seasonal product Boom! Chocolaco (a plant-based recreation of the discontinued Klondike Choco Taco, launched in 2022, with 1,261 units sold in its first four days).

Kate's operates a multi-channel direct-to-consumer and wholesale business. The retail footprint comprises two scoop shops in Portland (Mississippi Avenue and NW 23rd), a seasonal Saturday popup at the Beaverton Farmers Market in June, and four third-party delivery integrations (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Postmates, Caviar). Wholesale pint distribution spans Wellspent Market, Providore Fine Foods, Stella's Kitchen (two locations), P's & Q's Market, Negociant, and New Seasons Market (exclusive rotating launches three times per year). Adjacent services include catering for corporate events and weddings, kids' birthday party venue rental, and online custom-cake ordering. The company has earned consecutive national and regional recognition, including VegNews Best Vegan Ice Cream Shop in America in 2024 and 2025 and Portland Monthly's Best Ice Cream Shop from 2023 to 2025.

Commercially, Kate's is a privately held, founder-owned LLC operating on a unit-pricing model with premium positioning: scoops range from $5.25 to $15, pints retail at $18, and custom ice cream cakes sell for $52 to $72. The customer base is primarily Portland-metro consumers seeking dairy-free, gluten-free dessert options, with a secondary grocery and food-service wholesale segment. The company is bootstrapped with no disclosed institutional funding, has 11-50 employees, and has built a dense local partnership ecosystem of 25+ Portland-area brands for limited-edition flavor collaborations. Gluten-free status is self-attested rather than third-party certified.

Name

Kate’s Ice Cream

Legal name

Kate's Ice Cream LLC

Website

https://katesicecream.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kate's Ice Cream is a Portland, Oregon-based, founder-owned ice cream company founded in 2019 that makes plant-based, gluten-free, coconut milk-based ice cream sold through two scoop shops, grocery wholesale, catering, and third-party delivery to Portland-metro consumers with dietary restrictions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Plant-Based Frozen Desserts

NAICS

Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing (311520)

SIC

Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts (2024)

akta.pro primary industry

Ice Cream & Gelato Shops (THAFAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Plant-Based Frozen Desserts Processing (Non-Dairy Ice Cream, Gelato, Novelties) (AFAHAJAE), Ice Cream, Frozen Desserts & Novelties Manufacturing (AFAKAKAE)

Keywords

• Plant-based ice cream
• Gluten-free desserts
• Ice cream shop
• Dairy-free frozen desserts
• Vegan ice cream

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Retail Ice Cream Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales at two scoop shop locations and one seasonal farmers market location. Customers purchase individual scoops, pints, sandwiches, desserts, and ice cream cakes in person.
2. Catering & Events: Catering services for events including company parties and weddings, booked via inquiry form on the website.
3. Third-Party Delivery: Orders fulfilled through DoorDash, Uber Eats, Postmates, and Caviar for delivery from both physical locations.
4. Grocery Wholesale: Pint products sold through Portland-area grocery stores including Wellspent Market, Providore Fine Foods, Stella's Kitchen, New Seasons Market (rotating three times per year), and others.
5. Custom Ice Cream Cakes: Custom and signature ice cream cakes ordered online for pickup, priced at $52-$68 depending on size.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Kate's Ice Cream produces and sells 100% plant-based, gluten-free ice cream made from an organic coconut milk base, available as scoops, pints, ice cream cakes, ice cream sandwiches, sundaes, and the seasonal Boom! Chocolaco bar. The company operates two Portland scoop shops, runs a seasonal farmers market popup, distributes pints through Portland-area grocery stores, takes custom cake orders online, and offers catering and kids' birthday party services.

Product overview

Kate's Ice Cream operates as a single-brand plant-based frozen dessert company offering a unified portfolio centered on coconut milk-based ice cream. The core offering comprises scoopable ice cream in multiple formats (in-shop servings, pints for retail), complemented by prepared desserts (waffle cones, brownies, sundaes) and specialty items (ice cream cakes, sandwiches). The company runs two scoop shop locations in Portland, OR with direct retail operations, and distributes through grocery partners (pints) and food delivery platforms (Uber Eats, DoorDash, Postmates, Caviar). Supporting services include catering for events and birthday party venue rental. The flagship seasonal product, Boom! Chocolaco (formerly Choco Taco), is a plant-based take on the classic ice cream bar, released twice yearly for limited runs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Plant-Based Gluten-Free Ice Cream (Scoops) Coconut milk-based ice cream served as in-shop scoops in 13+ signature flavors (vanilla, triple chocolate brownie, mint chocolate chip, marionberry cobbler, rose water cardamom almond, java chip, salted peanut butter brittle, strawberry, orange creamsicle, pistachio, cookie dough, cookie monster, ube) plus seasonal rotating flavors. Sold at Portland scoop shops to walk-in customers.
• Signature Pints Plant-based, gluten-free ice cream sold in pint containers for retail grocery and take-home. Available at Wellspent Market, Providore Fine Foods, Stella's Kitchen, P's & Q's Market, Negociant, and New Seasons Market (with seasonal flavor rotations three times per year).
• Custom 6" Ice Cream Cake Double-stacked plant-based, gluten-free ice cream cake layered with dessert crust and topped with customizable toppings. Serves 6 people. Priced at $52 in-store for signature, $60 for custom online order.
• Custom 8" Ice Cream Cake Double-stacked plant-based, gluten-free ice cream cake layered with dessert crust, customizable toppings, and optional custom text (max 20 letters). Serves 8-10 people. Priced at $68 in-store for signature, $72+ for custom online order.
• Ice Cream Sandwiches Two-pack ice cream sandwiches with housemade gluten-free cookies and rotating ice cream flavors (Marionberry Cobbler, Cookie Monster, Triple Chocolate Brownie). Priced at $10 per sandwich.
• Boom! Chocolaco (Plant-Based Choco Taco) Plant-based, gluten-free ice cream bar wrapped in a chocolate-dipped waffle cone shell with toppings, released as a limited-time seasonal drop twice per year.
• Catering Services Plant-based, gluten-free ice cream catering for corporate events, weddings, and parties, including event consultation and custom flavor options, booked through the Kate's website.
• Kids Birthday Parties Allergen-friendly birthday party hosting at the Mississippi Avenue location, accommodating celiac and nut allergies. Includes venue rental (Saturday and Sunday mornings year-round) and an option for guests to create their own ice cream flavors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Record of 1,261 Boom! Chocolacos sold in four days

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ground Up PDXcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKate's collaborated with Ground Up PDX to create an almond and cashew butter mixed with homemade gluten-free waffle cone chunks. The product became a recurring fan favorite, re-launched multiple times including in 2026. Also collaborated on a Snickerdoodle Cookie ice cream flavor.
• Plant Based PapiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn Summer 2025, Kate's linked up with Plant Based Papi founder Jawan to create an elote-inspired sweet corn ice cream with sweet cotija and homemade date chamoy.
• HopscotchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn April 2024, created the 'Hopscotch Rice Krispy Treats' flavor — a cotton candy ice cream with housemade electric blue Rice Krispy Treats and white chocolate freckle.
• Smith TeamakercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2026, Kate's collaborated with Smith Teamaker to create a London Fog and shortbread cookie with apricot jam flavor. The flavor was so successful it was placed in PDX Airport inside Smith Teamaker's tasting room for the entire summer.
• Puff CoffeeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn January 2025, Kate's collaborated with Puff Coffee to create an affogato served in a limited-edition collaborative mug.
• BurgervilleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Oregon-owned fast food chain uses Kate's gluten-free waffle cones and walnut-oat streusel to create milkshakes and sundaes including the Waffle Cone Milkshake and Apple Crumble Sundaes.
• New Seasons MarketcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThree times per year, Kate's partners with New Seasons Market to launch new flavors exclusively for their store shelves across all locations.
• Portland PicklesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn June 2025, Kate's created a Cracker Jack ice cream — caramel-coated popcorn and peanut flavor inspired by the iconic ballpark snack — launched with Portland Pickles owner Dillon T. Pickle.
• DaydreamerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIn late 2024, Kate's teamed up with Daydreamer apparel founder Laura in LA to launch their first merch drop. Daydreamer products are crafted within a 20-mile radius of their LA headquarters.
• Mike BennettminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn October 2025, Kate's collaborated with Portland artist Mike Bennett to create Ottie's Oreo flavor, inspired by Bennett's sea otter character Ottie. Launched at Bennett's art exhibit 'The Portland Aquarium,' with proceeds benefiting the Elakha Alliance non-profit dedicated to returning sea otters to the Oregon coast.
• Van Gogh Immersive ExperienceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn January 2025, Kate's created a Starry Night-inspired flavor (white maple cinnamon ice cream with blue vanilla brush strokes, honeycomb stars, and chocolate syrup drizzle) to celebrate Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet immersive experiences in Portland.
• Brew Dr. KombuchaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn August 2024, Kate's collaborated with Brew Dr. Kombucha to create floats combining Brew Dr. flavors (Cherry Limeade, Orange Oasis, Strawberry Fields) with Kate's ice cream flavors (Your Favorite Vanilla, Orange Creamsicle, Strawberry).
• Portland Coffee RoasterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKate's Java Chip flavor uses Portland Coffee Roasters cold brew concentrate as a key ingredient. This is an ongoing ingredient supply and co-development partnership for coffee-based ice cream flavors.
• Wellspent MarketminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKate's pints are stocked at Wellspent Market, located at 935 NE Couch St, Portland, OR 97232.
• Providore Fine FoodsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKate's pints are stocked at Providore Fine Foods, located at 2340 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97232.
• Stella's KitchenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKate's pints are stocked at Stella's Kitchen, located at 4215 N Williams Ave, Portland, OR 97217, and at 17150 Lower Boones Ferry Rd Suite 100, Lake Oswego, OR 97035.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Coconut Bliss: Coconut milk-based plant-based ice cream brand distributed through natural and grocery channels. Closely comparable to Kate's pints in formulation (coconut base) and target consumer (dairy-free shoppers), though without Kate's scoop-shop retail arm.
• NadaMoo: Plant-based ice cream pint brand sold in mainstream grocery. Compares to Kate's on the wholesale pint side — same coconut-base category, similar allergen-friendly positioning — but operates exclusively as a packaged CPG brand with no scoop shops.
• Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams: Multi-city premium scoop shop and pint brand known for creative flavors and strong brand identity. Closely comparable to Kate's on the scoop-shop-plus-direct-retail model and premium flavor rotation, though Jeni's is dairy-based and operates at a much larger national footprint.
• FoMu Ice Cream: All-plant-based scoop shop and pint brand based in the Boston area, founded in 2012. Highly comparable to Kate's on the scoop-shop-plus-pint-wholesale model and 100% plant-based identity, though smaller in scale and without Kate's gluten-free certification messaging.
• Salt & Straw: Portland-headquartered, multi-city scoop shop chain focused on small-batch, creative-flavor ice cream. Salt & Straw is Kate's closest direct peer: same hometown, similar premium scoop-shop model, overlapping customer demographic, and parallel wholesale/collaboration playbook (though not plant-based).
• Van Leeuwen Ice Cream: Premium scoop shop and pint brand with a widely distributed vegan (cashew and coconut milk-based) line. Directly comparable in product format, premium price point, scoop-shop-plus-grocery distribution, and plant-based positioning — but operates at materially greater national scale.

Regional players

• Sweet Rose Creamery: Small-batch scoop shop and pint brand operating primarily in NYC and LA. Comparable on premium scoop-shop positioning and seasonal flavor rotation, but located in different geographies and dairy-based rather than plant-based.

Broad incumbents

• Ben & Jerry's (Non-Dairy line): Unilever-owned mass-premium ice cream brand with a national non-dairy pint line distributed across mainstream U.S. grocery. Broadly incumbent in Kate's category — competes for the same plant-based consumer at the freezer aisle — but the parent brand is not exclusively plant-based or gluten-free.
• Häagen-Dazs (Vegan line): Iconic premium ice cream brand with a vegan oat-milk-based line. Comparable to Kate's on premium positioning and grocery distribution scale, but with vastly greater brand awareness, retailer relationships, and marketing budget.
• Talenti (Dairy-Free line): National gelato and ice cream brand with a dairy-free sorbetto and gelato line, distributed through mainstream grocery. Comparable in grocery channel competition for plant-based freezer space, but Talenti is a Unilever-owned broad incumbent rather than a craft plant-based specialist.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/katesicecreams
• Instagraminstagram.com/katesicecream
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kate-s-ice-cream

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kate’s Ice Cream