The former Royal has become an investor in the woman-owned vegan startup Clevr Brands- which makes oat milk-based latte mixes.

Soon after Meghan Markle – the Duchess of Sussex, invested in vegan startup Clevr Brands, she sent over a gift basket filled with Clevr’s lattes to neighbour Oprah Winfrey, who seemed all to please to review the products and share her opinions.

Taking to Instagram, Winfrey shared the contents of her gift basket and also prepared a cup of the latte for her audience.

“On the first day of Christmas my neighbour ‘M’ sent to me…a basket of deliciousness!” Winfrey captioned the video she posted.

“My new drink of choice for the morning and night,” Winfrey wrote before adding that she would have included the vegan brand in her annual “Favorite Things” recommendation list, if she had known about the company earlier.

Clevr Blends

Clevr Blends, co-founded by CEO Hannah Mendoza in January 2019, brands itself as “the world’s first instant oat milk latte”.

The oat milk-based lattes are available in Matcha, Chai, Coffee, and Golden flavors and come packed with nutritious ingredients, probiotics, and adaptogens. ‘The perfect sidekick to caffeine’, has no-added sugar and can be turned into cremay, frothy, luscious lattes by just adding water.

Aligned partnership

This week, the California-based company welcomed Markle as an investor, who revealed details about the investment in a statement sent to Fortune.

“This investment is in support of a passionate female entrepreneur who prioritises building community alongside her business,” Markle said.

“I’m proud to invest in Hannah’s commitment to sourcing ethical ingredients and creating a product that I personally love and [that] has a holistic approach to wellness. I believe in her, and I believe in her company.”

‘Excited for the road ahead’

According to Fortune, the funding marks Markle’s first public investment and the grassroots start-up will use the investment to “scale its business”.

“Entrepreneurs need funding, but they also need advisers who care deeply about what they are building. I’m grateful to have found both in the Duchess of Sussex,” Mendoza said.

“Her passion for what we’re creating is palpable, and I couldn’t imagine a more aligned partnership. We’re excited for the road ahead.”

• Read: Global plant-based meat market to hit $8.3 billion by 2025, says study

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Mohsina Dodhiya

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