Business Profile: Frönen Foods

Nature of Business:
Frönen Foods manufactures and sells clean-label, dairy-free frozen desserts (“nice cream”).

The company differentiates itself through a minimalist ingredient philosophy (fewer than six ingredients per SKU), using a banana base instead of gums, stabilizers, or refined sugars.

The products cater to specific dietary needs, including Paleo, Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD), gluten-free, and dairy-free consumers.

Professional Achievements & Growth:

• Retail Footprint: Products are available in over 1,700 retail locations nationwide, including Whole Foods Market, Sprouts (top-seller in non-dairy), Wegmans, Natural Grocers, Fresh Thyme, and Raley’s.​
• Funding & Grants:
  • Investment (Jan 20, 2026): Received investment from the Angel Investor Forum Fund V (AIF) to support continued growth.​
  • Stacy’s Rise Project: Selected as a finalist for the 2020 Stacy’s Rise Project, a prestigious mentorship and funding program for female founders.​
  • New Venture Challenge: First Place winner of the 2017 College New Venture Challenge at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.​

Key Public Contact Information (Principals)

Jessica Gartenstein

Role: Co-Founder & CEO
Background: A graduate of the University of Chicago and former investment partner at Dorm Room Fund, Gartenstein founded Frönen to address her own dietary restrictions (Celiac disease).

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jessica-gartenstein-280a9baa​
• Bio/Context: Former Research Assistant at Booth School of Business; has held roles at Morgan Stanley and GCM Grosvenor.​

Erik Nadeau

Role: Co-Founder & COO
Background: Currently an MBA Candidate at Stanford GSB (Class of 2026); focuses on operations and manufacturing strategy.​

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/erik-nadeau​

Long-Tail Marketing Approach to Investors

Strategy: Position Frönen not just as a “better-for-you” dessert, but as a solution for specific, medically-necessitated diets that lack indulgence options.

• Niche Targeting: Leverage the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) and Celiac communities. These groups have high brand loyalty because few products meet their strict standards (no gums/additives).
• Investor Hook: Highlight the “Clean Label” movement. Investors are moving away from highly processed plant-based alternatives (like Impossible Foods) toward whole-food ingredients. Frönen’s banana-based formula aligns perfectly with this “Generation 2.0” plant-based trend.