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Portland, OR

Expanding production and retail operations to meet growing demand for artisan dairy-free cheeses.

• Award Recognition: Nominated for Best Vegan Artisan Cheese by VegNews Magazine.
• Brick & Mortar Expansion: Successfully opened a dedicated cheese shop to showcase products and offer to-go options.
• Growing Distribution: Expanding wholesale operations to include more grocery stores and retail locations.
• New Culinary Ventures: Launched Unwind, a food cart featuring seasonal plant-based dishes and charcuterie boards.
• Sustainability Commitment: Focused on using organic, local, and seasonal ingredients while reducing environmental impact.

Vtopian Artisan Cheeses is raising funds to enhance production capacity, improve operations, and expand its retail and wholesale presence. The company has been crafting high-quality, cultured, dairy-free cheeses using organic, local, and seasonal ingredients in the Pacific Northwest for over a decade. Under new ownership, Vtopian has grown from a small farmers market booth into a thriving business, opening a brick-and-mortar cheese shop and launching a food cart, Unwind, which features seasonal plant-based dishes. The funds raised will be directed toward increasing production efficiency, hiring additional staff, and scaling the brand’s wholesale operations to reach more local and regional grocery chains.

With the growing demand for plant-based and sustainable food options, Vtopian is focused on expanding its distribution and catering services while maintaining its commitment to quality and sustainability. Investments will support working capital needs, proprietary ingredient sourcing, and new equipment to reduce labor costs and improve efficiency. Additionally, a portion of the funds will be allocated to marketing efforts and attending trade shows to increase brand exposure. By strengthening its production capabilities and expanding market reach, Vtopian aims to solidify its position as a leading artisan dairy-free cheese brand.

Company Info

Vtopian Artisan Cheeses produces handcrafted, dairy-free cheeses and operates a cheese shop and food cart, expanding its wholesale and retail presence.

Vtopian Artisan Cheeses has been crafting high-quality, cultured dairy-free cheeses using organic, local, and seasonal ingredients in the Pacific Northwest for over a decade. Originally operating as a small wholesale business selling to boutique stores and through a stand at the Portland State University Farmer’s Market, Vtopian has since expanded its reach. In late 2023, the company opened its first brick-and-mortar cheese shop, offering an extensive selection of plant-based cheeses, charcuterie accompaniments, and to-go mac and cheese. In early 2024, Vtopian further expanded with the launch of its food cart, Unwind, which highlights seasonal pasta dishes, charcuterie boards, salads, and snacks featuring local produce and its signature products.

To support its growth, Vtopian is raising funds to enhance production capacity, purchase new equipment, expand staffing, and strengthen marketing efforts. The company aims to scale its wholesale operations, increasing distribution to local and regional grocery chains while expanding its catering services and event presence. With new equipment and improved working capital, Vtopian plans to optimize production efficiency, lower labor costs, and source proprietary ingredients in larger quantities for better pricing. As a plant-based, eco-friendly, and family-owned business, Vtopian is committed to expanding access to high-quality vegan cheeses while continuing to innovate in the artisanal dairy-free space.