Allergy Smart

Shane Bacher and Stacy Bacher, founders from Toronto, Ontario, asked for $600,000 for 10% of AllergySmart, a company making cookies, brownies, and cakes free from the 10 most common food allergens and made without additives, preservatives, or artificial ingredients. The products are sold in Loblaws, Metro Ontario, Metro Quebec, Sobeys Ontario, Sobeys Quebec, and IGA, among independent health food stores, with about 9,000 doors expected within a couple of months; the founders and family have invested around $1 million, plus a recently completed $1 million raise. In 2023 the company had $1.2 million in sales with a loss of just under $500,000 due to one-time listing fees, and projected $8 million in sales for the following year.

Brian Scudamore, Michele Romanow, Wes Hall, and Manjit Minhas all went out, citing concerns about ongoing losses, a niche market, and the difficulty of the food business. Arlene Dickinson offered $1,000,000 for 20% based on a $6 million valuation, and the founders countered by asking to keep the valuation at $6 million with the investment structured as $1 million plus 3% advisory shares, which Arlene Dickinson accepted.

Allergy Smart is still operating and sells through its website.