NCN's Cornerstone Investors are committed investors or participants in the nutrition & health & wellness industries that have become annual members of NCN. NCN provides additional value to Cornerstone Investors in the form of broadened access to deal flow; analysis of deal flow, transactions, markets and trends; custom searches or research; and access to NCN principals and associates. Contact Grant Ferrier (619-295-7685 x15) or Tom Aarts (619-295-7685 x18) to inquire about becoming a Cornerstone Investor.

Alticor, based in Ada, Michigan, is the parent company to Amway and Alticor Corporate Enterprises. Amway, a pioneer and leader of the direct selling industry, does business through its distributor network in more than 80 countries and territories. Amway’s flagship product brands include NUTRILITE™ nutrition and wellness products. Alticor Corporate Enterprises (ACE) is Alticor’s strategic investment group. Its investment strategy is focused on companies in the beauty, health and wellness sectors outside the direct selling channel. Portfolio companies are self-managed, with management retaining responsibility for the business’s strategy and day-to-day operations. The investment objective is for portfolio companies to fuel their growth by leveraging the business and financial resources available through Alticor. Current portfolio companies include Metagenics, Gurwitch Products, and Interleukin Genetics.

Avrio Ventures is a leading investment firm focused on providing venture capital to companies engaged in food and agricultural technology. Since inception in 2002, Avrio has invested over $125 million in the agriculture and food sector and is currently raising fund III. Portfolio companies include: Ascenta Health Advitech, Allylix, Brookside Foods, Ensyn, Fresh Hemp Foods, Origin Biomed, SJ Irvine Fine Foods and Wolf Trax.

Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co. LLC is a New York based private equity investment firm with approximately $1.4 billion in funds under management. BRS specializes in management buyouts and recapitalizations of middle market companies with strong market positions and/or growth potential. Sectors in which BRS invests include Consumer Products and Services, Restaurants, Specialty Retail and Commercial Products and Services. Realized investments include Seroyal, Il Fornaio/Corner Bakery, Eurofresh, Au Bon Pain and California Pizza Kitchen.

Castanea Partners is a private equity fund founded by operating executives and private equity veterans investing $15-75 million of equity in companies within specifically targeted industry sectors including branded consumer products, specialty retail, marketing services, information services, and education. Portfolio companies include Health Resources and Vitamin Research Products, both acquired in 2010. Castanea invests in traditional MBOs, sales of private companies, industry consolidations, growth equity and acquisition equity capital raises, corporate carve-outs and operationally challenged opportunities.

Catterton Partners is a leading consumer-focused private equity firm in North America with $2.5 billion under management and one of the strongest private equity investment track records in the middle market consumer industry. Catterton Partners invests in all major consumer segments, including Food and Beverage, Retail and Restaurants, Consumer Products and Services, and Media and Marketing Services. Investments include Cheddar’s Restaurants, O.N.E. beverages, Nature’s Variety Pet Food and Restoration Hardware. Realized investments include Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Frederic Fekkai, Kettle Foods, Odwalla, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro and Wellness Pet Food.

Coca-Cola's Venturing and Emerging Brands (VEB) is a dedicated operating unit of Coca-Cola North America charged with identifying high-potential growth brands in the North American beverage space for investment or ownership by The Coca-Cola Company. With direct access to the global resources and industry expertise of The Coca-Cola Company and its system, VEB is uniquely positioned to develop emerging beverage brands of The Coca-Cola Company to their full potential. Since its inception, VEB has managed investments and acquisitions in such brands as Honest Tea and Fuze, and the commercialization of illy issimo ready to drink coffee.

Corn Products International, Inc. is a leading provider of agriculturally based ingredients to a wide variety of industries around the world. Dating back over a century, Corn Products International is a leading supplier of ingredients derived from the wet milling and processing of corn and other starch-based materials. The Company is proud of its extensive ingredient solutions designed for the growing health and nutrition market. Corn Products offers ingredients to support digestive, heart, bone, immune, and cognitive health, including NutraFlora® prebiotic fiber, Aquamin® calcified mineral source, Purimune™ high purity GOS, and NuMega® omega-3 DHA. Expandex® modified tapioca starch was developed for gluten-free baking. In addition, Corn Products offers a full line of polyols, including erythritol, sorbitol, polygycitol, and xylitol. The Company also holds the exclusive license to the intellectual property and technology from Morita Kagaku Kogyo Co. for Enliten®, a high-intensity, low-calorie sweetener derived from the stevia plant.

The Clorox Company is a leading manufacturer and marketer of consumer products with 8,300 employees and fiscal year 2010 revenues of $5.53 billion. Clorox markets some of consumers' most trusted and recognized brand names, including its namesake bleach and cleaning products, Green Works naturally derived home care products, Pine-Sol cleaners, Poett home care products, Fresh Step® cat litter, Kingsford charcoal, Hidden Valley and KC Masterpiece dressings and sauces, Brita water-filtration products, Glad bags and wraps and containers, and Burt's Bees natural personal care products. Nearly 90 percent of Clorox Company brands hold the No. 1 or No. 2 market share positions in their categories.

Danone posted €15 billion sales in 2009 and is the world's no. 1 company in fresh dairy products, no. 2 in bottled waters, no. 2 in baby nutrition and Europe's no. 1 in medical nutrition. Danone's balanced strategy builds on international expansion, a growing commitment to innovation, and strengthening health-oriented brands. Danone invests heavily in Research & Development — €208 million in 2008 with 100% of its projects in the pipeline focused on health and nutrition. Leading brands include Danone, Actimel, Activia, Evian, Volvic, Blédina, Gallia, Nutricia, Nutrini, Nutrison and Fortimel.

Royal DSM N.V. creates innovative products and services in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences that are used globally in a wide range of markets and applications, supporting a healthier, more sustainable and more enjoyable way of life. As the world’s premier ingredient supplier to producers of foods, beverages, and dietary supplements, DSM Nutritional Products provides a solid platform for technological innovation and new product development. DSM has annual net sales of EUR 9.3 billion and employs some 23,500 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in the Netherlands, with locations on five continents.

General Mills, with annual net sales of $13.4 billion, is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of consumer foods products. Based in Minneapolis, Minn., General Mills’ mission is to innovate to make people’s lives healthier, easier, and richer around the world. Its global brand portfolio includes Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Häagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Old El Paso and more. It also has more than 100 U.S. consumer brands, more than 30 of which generate annual retail sales in excess of $100 million.  General Mills also is a leading supplier of baking and other food products to the foodservice and commercial baking industries.

Herbalife Ltd. is a global nutrition and direct selling company. Products include protein shakes; protein snacks; nutrition, energy and fitness supplements; and skin and hair care products. Herbalife markets and sells its products exclusively through a network of 2.1 million independent distributors who conduct business in 75 countries. Herbalife’s research and development organization combines the experience of its product development specialists with a team of highly accomplished scientists and doctors, and is committed to supply-chain management and quality manufacturing from “seed to feed.”

The Hershey Company is the largest producer of quality chocolate in North America and a global leader in chocolate and sugar confectionery. Headquartered in Hershey, Pa., The Hershey Company has operations throughout the world and more than 12,000 employees. With revenues of more than $5 billion, Hershey offers such iconic brands as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Hershey’s Kisses, Kit Kat, Twizzlers and Ice Breakers as well as the smooth, creamy indulgence of Hershey’s Bliss chocolates. Hershey is a leader in the fast-growing dark and premium chocolate segment, with such brands as Hershey’s Special Dark and Hershey’s Extra Dark. In addition, Artisan Confections Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Hershey Company, markets such premium chocolate offerings as Scharffen Berger and Dagoba.

Hormel Foods is a multinational manufacturer and marketer of high-quality, brand-name food and meat products. Hormel Foods believes its responsibility is to be more than just a food company; it is a healthy living advocate, providing consumers with resources, nutritious product choices, information and guidance. Approximately 40% of new products at Hormel Foods fall under its health and wellness initiative. As one of six business units within the company, the Specialty Foods group is committed to developing products that improve overall health and well-being and meet exacting standards for taste and shelf life. Within Specialty Products, omega-3 EPA/DHA applications, part of a broader functional ingredients portfolio, provide a one-stop solution for value-added omega-3 EPA/DHA needs, and proprietary processes improve delivery systems. Products include the highest quality omega-3 fish oils, natural stocks and broths, cheeses, milk and whey proteins, dry milk powders, caseinates and isolates, meat ingredients, gelatin desserts, puddings, drinks, seasoning oils, sauces and specialty fats.

Inventages Venture Capital is one of the world’s largest venture/private equity funds specializing in life sciences and health and wellness. With more than $1.5 billion under management, Inventages’ investment focus includes pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, medical food, nutrition, innovative processes and novel packaging technologies. Investing worldwide, Inventages operates from three offices around the globe in Auckland , Geneva and Nassau.

Linn Grove Growth Funds invests in early stage Life Sciences in: Food: Companies in critical categories of medical, functional and value-added areas that will positively affect the health of the world; Biotech: Unique companies focused on nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals that will enrich patient health; Medtech: Highly unique products in medtech that will be attractive to strategic consolidators with lower regulatory and payer risks; IT & Services: Differentiated and practical healthcare companies that will change practices and lower costs; Ag & Animal: Sustainable agriculture and desirable animal science companies that will improve animal and human health & wellness. Linn Grove has a track record with 12 exits and over 20 companies still progressing towards their milestones.

Martek Biosciences Corporation is a leader in the innovation and development of DHA omega-3 products that promote health and wellness through every stage of life. The company produces life’sDHA™, a sustainable and vegetarian source of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), for use in foods, beverages, infant formula, and supplements. The company also produces life’sARA™ (arachidonic acid), an omega-6 fatty acid, from a sustainable, vegetarian source, for use in infant formula. With more than 525 employees worldwide and revenue of more than $350 million, Martek is headquartered in Maryland with facilities in Colorado, Kentucky and South Carolina. For more information on Martek, visit www.martek.com

There are many ways Nestlé USA is putting “Nutrition in Action.” Consumer Education. The award-winning program, Healthy Steps for Healthy Lives, sponsored by Nestlé USA, offers teachers innovative tools to educate pre-school and kindergarten students about good nutrition and physical activity. Wellness on the Web. The Nestlé Nutrition Web site, NestleNutrition.com, provides information on global businesses, including Infant Nutrition, Healthcare Nutrition, and Performance Nutrition. Corporate Initiatives. The Nestlé Nutrition Institute is a multidisciplinary educational organization dedicated to the science of healthy nutrition for people of all ages.

Founded in 1984, Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE:NUS) is a direct selling company that distributes premium-quality anti-aging products in both the personal care and nutritional supplements categories. Headquartered in Provo, Utah, Nu Skin demonstrates its tradition of innovation through its comprehensive anti-aging product portfolio, independent business opportunity and corporate social responsibility initiatives. A global direct selling company, Nu Skin operates in 50 markets worldwide and has more than 785,000 independent distributors. The company’s global operations generated more than $1.33 billion in revenue during 2009, representing a 7 percent year-over-year improvement and earnings per share increase of 37 percent. In addition, Nu Skin’s stock price increased more than 150 percent in 2009. Nu Skin sells more than 200 products in the anti-aging, personal care and nutritional supplements categories. The company’s teams of more than 75 in-house scientists are located in three global research centers regularly collaborate with multiple leading research institutions, as well as world-renowned scientists who are members of the Nu Skin Anti-aging Scientific Advisory Board.

OmniActive Health Technologies, Ltd. produces and supplies innovative, scientifically validated and nutritonally active functional ingredients and novel delivery systems for nutrients and active ingredients for healthcare, food and beverage, and personal care applications. OmniActive’s primary focus is in science driven and IP protected products.

At PepsiCo, we believe being a responsible corporate citizen is not only the right thing to do, but the right thing to do for our business. Our mission is to be the world’s premier consumer products company focused on convenient foods and beverages. We seek to produce financial rewards to investors as we provide opportunities for growth and enrichment to our employees, our business partners and the communities in which we operate. And in everything we do, we strive for honesty, fairness and integrity.

Seventure Partners invests in European start-ups with high growth potential, with an amount of investment from 0.5 million euros up to 20 millions euros per firm from seed to later stage rounds. Seventure is a subsidiary of Natixis Private Equity which manages more than 4 billion euros in private equity. Seventure invests in two business areas: IT and Life Sciences.

Founded in 1999,  Sherbrooke Capital is a venture capital firm that provides growth and expansion capital to emerging companies in the Health and Wellness industry exclusively. Sherbrooke looks for companies that possess already-developed products and services based upon proven science, with a proprietary position due to intellectual property or a strong brand franchise. We have particular interest and expertise in various opportunity sectors such as healthy consumables, with a focus on food,  beverage and personal care products companies; active lifestyle; bioactives and ingredients; animal care and nutrition; consumer services and education; delivery systems; non-invasive medical devices and food safety. Portfolio companies include Adina for Life, Ciao Bella, VetCentric, FoodShouldTasteGood, Advanced BioNutrition, Immaculate Baking, Boathouse Sports, Affinnova, Outside The Classroom and TransMedics. Former portfolio companies include Izze Beverage (acquired by Pepsi), Cooke Pharma (acquired by United Therapeutics) and Oregon Chai (acquired by Kerry Foods).

Stratum Nutrition, a Novus International Business, focuses on human nutrition through functional and specialty ingredients for manufacturers and marketers of foods, beverages and dietary supplements. Stratum leverages the Novus core competencies in nutritional research and innovation as well as the corporate commitment to protecting the environment by considering economic, environmental and social factors to ensure that its ingredients offer safe, efficient and sustainable health solutions. Stratum offers a portfolio of branded, value-added ingredients that are progressive, safe and reliable. These ingredients are based on consumer need, supported by science and the backing of a trusted multi-national company. All specialty bioactive ingredients offered share a common R&D philosophy including: unique and/or patented technologies, strong scientific and clinical research, and safe, progressive products for human health.

Suan Farma Group is a leading marketer of active ingredients for the pharmaceutical, nutritional, food and veterinary industries throughout the world. Our complete and experienced team is glad to guide all ingredients throughout the development process, including regulatory aspects, so our customers' formulas reach the intended markets without delay. With a presence in more than 40 countries, we offer customized delivery programs and fair competitive cost. Additionally we have created an investment fund, Suan Farma Biotech SGECR, to help with the development of novel ingredients within the broad term of the Health Science industry. To date, we have invested in 9 European projects in new pharmaceutical development, drug reprofiling, new drug delivery systems, functional foods and biomarkers.

Tate & Lyle is a global provider of distinctive, high quality ingredients and solutions to the food and beverage industry.  Currently we serve 93 of the top 100 food and beverage companies globally. Through our large-scale, efficient manufacturing plants, we use unique technologies to turn renewable crops into distinctive, high quality ingredients for our customers. These ingredients add taste, texture, nutrition and increased functionality to products that millions of people around the world consume every day. Our Innovation and Commercial Development team develops speciality Sweetener, Texturant and Health & Wellness solutions. Our product development is supported by our open innovation team with a broad, global network of innovative product, technology and clinical research partners.

TSG Consumer Partners LLC was the first institutional investment fund to focus on investing in natural and organic foods companies, as well as companies focused on ethnic foods, functional food and beverage categories, and orphan brands in the personal care and household sectors. Along with its in-depth understanding of and experience within the consumer industry, TSG engages in a highly effective hands-on management approach that distinguishes the firm in attracting investments and building companies. Since its inception in 1987, TSG’s branded consumer investment strategy has achieved returns of approximately 60 percent annually. TSG’s investments over the years include Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Cookies, Terra Chips, Mauna Loa macadamia nuts, Glaceau vitaminwater, Smart Balance Foods, PureOlogy hair care and Meguiar’s car care.

Unilever’s Corporate Venturing Group has built a portfolio of private equity and venture capital investments in the technology and branded consumer areas. Unilever’s corporate venturing activities include a dedicated venture investing team under the name Unilever Ventures based in London; a private equity fund in London operating as Langholm Capital; and an LP role as part of a syndicate at San Francisco-based Physic Ventures, operating a fund focused on consumer health and sustainability.

Verlinvest is a privately owned investment holding company owned by members of the Belgian families who founded Interbrew (today ABI: Budweiser, Stella Artois, Labatt, Brahma), the largest brewing company and the third largest consumer products company in the world. Verlinvest currently has over 15 investments in the consumer products and services sector and is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium with offices in New York. It has over $400 million under management. In the U.S., Verlinvest seeks to make early stage investments in growing branded consumer products companies in the food, beverage and personal care sectors. Equity investments range from $5 to $75 million and can be minority or control deals. Current investments in the U.S. include Vita Coco, Sambazon, Hint and Leblon.