Naman Shrestha
Sprouts are known to be a healthy source of nutrients, but due to inaccessibility, many people save themselves the hassle. Doug Evans founded the Sprouting Company to tackle the issue and make sprouting possible from the comfort of one’s home. Taking the innovative at-home sprout grower with him, Doug pitches his company and the products to the Sharks in the fourth episode of ABC’s ‘Shark Tank’ season 17. By sharing his story and plans for the future, the founder of the Sprouting Company hoped to get at least one of the Sharks invest in his company and take it to the next level.
The Sprouting Company: Who Are They and What Do They Do?
Before establishing the Sprouting Company, its founder, Doug Evans, gained experience in various businesses and held various positions. After spending time at the United States Army Boot Camp as a paratrooper and pursuing art, music, and business at New York City’s City-As-School, Doug worked as a graphic designer for Paul Rand from 1987 to 1994. From 1991 to 2004, he worked at Doug Evans + Partners, where he was involved in graphic design, strategic advisory services, wellness investing, and computer typography. In 2002, he co-founded Organic Avenue, where he served as chairman and CEO for the next decade.
Following his long-term stint, he transitioned to Nimblefish Technologies, where he worked in the VP of Business Development department. Meanwhile, he was a Board Member of the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship. For a couple of years, Doug also served as an advocate for AdBrite. In 2013, he joined the Weld North LLC team as an Investment Advisor. That same year, he founded Juicero in the San Francisco Bay Area and served as chairman for over four years. During his time living near the Mojave Desert, he realized that there were few vegan options available to him. In order to combat the problem, he began sprouting most of his food, which allowed him to have access to organic vegetables in surplus.
When Doug had doubts about eating excessive amounts of sprouts, he consulted several doctors, who claimed that there was no harm in it. Realizing that there could be a market for his sprouted products, he established The Sprouting Company in January 2018. A couple of years later, he published a book titled ‘The Sprout Book: Tap Into the Power of the Planet’s Most Nutritious Food,’ wherein he focused on researched studies on the benefits of sprouts for one’s health. Through his brand, Doug allows his customers to grow sprouts right in front of them, without the need for fertilizers or lights.
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The Sprouting Company: Where Are They Now?
Apart from offering sprouts, The Sprouting Company also provides customers with high-capacity sprouters, specifically designed for sprouting. With optimal airflow, a straight wall designed for 100% drainage, and high-quality, dishwasher-safe materials, the sprouter enables the growth of seven servings of sprouts in just five days. Doug and the Sprouting Company promise to provide products that make the process of sprouting not only convenient and clean but also eco-friendly, as they use recycled and recyclable materials whenever possible.
The company has made sprouting convenient, as all one has to do is add the seeds to a jar and keep them soaked in water for 8-10 hours. The next step is rinsing, which must be done twice daily until sprouts begin to emerge, typically within two to five days. The final step is to rinse them for one last time and enjoy them fresh after they are dry. You have the option to purchase products on their official website, where you can also subscribe to receive additional discounts on future purchases. While the Starter Bundle: Organic High-Glucoraphanin Broccoli is available for $136.99 on a one-time purchase, the Starter Bundle: Organic High-Glucoraphanin Salad Mix is available for $129.99.
The price of the sprouting seeds depends on the flavor of the product — Organic Clover for $18.99, Organic Chickpeas for $20.99, Organic Broccoli for $26.99, Organic Alfalfa for $16.99, and more. Meanwhile, the sprouter is priced at $99.99. The products of the Sprouting Company have also been featured in the homes of several celebrities, including Mike Posner and Redfoo. To educate more people about the benefits of sprouts, Doug and his wife frequently visit the Hollywood Farmers’ Market and add samples of their products to random people’s plates, thereby increasing the nutritional value of their meals.
