POCA Launches Better-For-You Coffee Sweetener

In recent years, CPG and consumer culture at large have centered around body optimization. Longevity scores, protein targets, and "getting your steps in" have become an unavoidable part of daily existence. The one exception to this performance-driven culture seems to be the ritual of having a little treat. But even getting a cute drink is plagued by guilt for many.

Hilary Coles and Emily Boschwitz, two co-founders who deeply understand consumer culture, are responding with POCA, a zero-calorie sweetener syrup for coffee and matcha drinks.

A portmanteau of "pocket café," POCA is launching with squeezable sweetener satchets that can travel on the go. Starting with a direct-to-consumer website and subscription options, POCA plans to trial their healthier syrups with cafes later this year. POCA's syrups are based on three natural sweeteners: allulose, found in figs and raisins; inulin, a sugar-like prebiotic fiber found in roots; and popular sugar alternative monkfruit. Together, they contribute the ideal base for syrups, with no aftertaste, no calorie content, no preservatives, no sugar crash, and a few grams of healthy fiber.

Hilary and Emily previously worked together at telehealth and wellness giant Hims & Hers, one of the most successful consumer brand stories of the last decade. Hilary co-founded Hims & Hers as a founder-in-residence at venture studio Atomic, and quickly brought on Emily, a veteran of Dropcam and Nest, as Director of Marketing. Together the two of them built a nationally recognized brand which changed the conversation around men's sexual health. With POCA, they aim to do for coffee syrup what Poppi did for soda.

We were introduced to Hilary and Emily by Baukunst collective member Ruffin Mitchener, and participated in POCA's pre-seed round. POCA exemplifies the kind of deep cultural insight we appreciate in founders, and it's a joy to back Hilary and Emily on their new venture.

To try POCA yourself, use our discount code!

Use code: KATELOVESPOCA at pickpoca.com