About Her Business & Career: A former corporate lawyer, Gaspar founded AF Ventures (formerly known as AccelFoods) in 2014 with cofounder Lauren Jupiter. Together, they created a VC firm that invests in founders creating the next generation of consumer brands with a focus on health and wellness. The firm has recently broadened its investment thesis, expanding from just food and beverage into other healthy living sectors, such as personal care, beauty, health and wellness and pets. AF Ventures manages over 30 portfolio brands and cosponsored a $224 million SPAC (AF Acquisition Corp.) that is looking to partner with a consumer packaged goods company in the better-for-you space that is “authentic, innovative and sustainably-minded,” according to its website.
Why She Made the Worthy 100: What started as a mission to invest in and help scale small food and beverage companies in the better-for-you space has grown to become one of the leading investors in the F&B space, according to CB Insights. Working with disruptive, wellness-conscious brands and cosponsoring one of the only SPACs currently available with an exclusive focus on the better-for-you sector is what makes Gaspar a part of this year’s Worthy 100 Entrepreneurs.
Industry: Venture Capital
Year Founded: 2014
Headquarters: New York, N.Y.
