Sweetkiwi Goes Fishing for Sharks!
Sweetkiwi, the better-for-you frozen yogurt brand founded by Ehime Eigbe and Michael Akindele, is reaching new heights. The Washington, D.C.-based company recently landed a $250,000 investment from Robert Herjavec on ABC’s Shark Tank, with a $2.4 million valuation. This milestone places Sweetkiwi alongside other Union Kitchen Accelerator alumni like Super Coffee and Snacklins, who have also earned national attention and investor backing on the show.
The Sweetkiwi journey began in earnest when Ehime Eigbe, recovering from a medical scare, made a conscious shift toward cleaner, more nutritious eating. But while seeking out healthier options, she quickly discovered a common issue: nutritious food too often lacked flavor and joy. Rather than compromise, Ehime turned to her passion for food and began developing a dessert that could deliver both wellness and indulgence. The result was Sweetkiwi’s signature air-whipped Greek yogurt—crafted with high-quality milk from grass-fed cows, gut-healthy probiotics, and nutrient-dense superfoods like baobab, quinoa, and acai.
Ehime and her husband and co-founder, Michael Akindele, began their CPG journey by joining the Union Kitchen Accelerator. Through Phase One: Launch, they developed a market-ready product. In Phase Two: Product-Market Fit, they gained firsthand feedback by selling directly to consumers in Union Kitchen stores. These early lessons helped shape both their recipe and brand strategy, ensuring that Sweetkiwi could resonate with a broad audience. By the time they entered Phase Three: Growth, the company had established traction with regional retailers and was ready to scale nationally.
Sweetkiwi’s steady rise has been built on the foundation of deliberate scaling, constant product iteration, and an unshakable mission to make clean eating more accessible and joyful. The brand’s success in the mid-Atlantic led to major wins—including placement in Whole Foods Market, Giant Foods, and, most recently, a rollout to over 1,900 Kroger locations nationwide. Sweetkiwi’s expanded retail presence means more people can enjoy a frozen treat that’s as functional as it is flavorful.
Today, Sweetkiwi isn’t just redefining frozen yogurt—it’s rewriting the rules for what health-forward indulgence can look like. With their recent Shark Tank appearance, national retail expansion, and a growing fanbase across the country, Ehime and Michael are proving that purpose-driven brands can thrive at scale. And they’re doing it without sacrificing taste, transparency, or their core values.
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