On Monday evening, the McMenamins Mission Theater buzzed with excitement as five innovative food, beverage, and wellness startups from Oregon showcased their unique products for a group of eager investors, fellow entrepreneurs, and industry specialists.
The highlight of the event was the announcement of a $100,000 investment awarded to one exceptional company, a part of Oregon Angel Food’s annual competition designed to support entrepreneurial ventures across the state.
This year’s finalists presented an impressive range of products, from plant-based puddings to environmentally friendly water cans, but it was Functional Botanicals, a hygiene company based in Ashland, that clinched the grand prize.
The company, led by founder and CEO Cassandra Davis, offers biodegradable bamboo tablets that transform into wipes with the addition of water.
Davis, who traveled from southern Oregon to attend the event, expressed her excitement, stating, “Being an entrepreneur is a really hard job, and it takes a certain amount of grit and perseverance to get through all the trials and tribulations.”
She added, “It just feels so wonderful to be in an ecosphere of other people who are inspired and who want to change the world through business.”
This annual competition, hosted by the nonprofit Oregon Entrepreneurs Network, is part of a series of educational and investment programs that the organization runs throughout the year.
The competition has now reached its fourth iteration, with programs such as Angel Oregon Technology and Angel Oregon Life & Bioscience set to commence in September.
In a notable achievement, last year’s Oregon Angel Food competition winner, Mickelberry Gardens, received a $160,000 investment for their raw honey and bee pollen product line.
For this year’s competition, two institutional investors and eight individual angel investors contributed to the $100,000 prize pool, according to Cara Turano, the executive director of the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network.
Investors typically receive an ownership stake in the winning company, with the specific terms determined using a term sheet similar to those used by Y Combinator, a prominent technology startup accelerator.
Functional Botanicals represents a milestone for the nonprofit, marking their first investment outside of the Portland area, something Turano celebrated as a significant progression.
“It has been a dream of mine — since we do support the whole state — to be able to say that,” she remarked after the winner announcement.
Davis’ company was among five finalists selected from a larger group of eight contestants, all part of a month-long education program involving over 30 food and beverage entrepreneurs participating in Oregon Angel Food.
Other finalists included Goddess Mousse, which specializes in vegan chocolate mousse; Goodpud, a plant-based pudding and treat company; Manny’s Choice, known for non-GMO European flour; and Portland Water, a business focused on packaging pure Oregon spring water in recyclable containers.
Unlike its competitors, which primarily focused on food and drinks, Functional Botanicals offered a consumer packaged good, targeting everyday products requiring regular replenishment, marking a considerable expansion for Angel Oregon’s scope this year.
In her compelling five-minute pitch, Davis presented Functional Botanicals’ luxurious makeup remover, proposing it as a cost-effective solution to what she called the “linen spoilage” dilemma faced by high-end hotels.
She highlighted the substantial financial loss incurred by hotels annually due to damaged towels resulting from makeup stains.
Describing her product, Davis explained that it starts as a compact dry tablet resembling a stack of four nickels, which transforms into a full-size, aromatic towelette when a few drops of water are applied.
Since launching in 2020, the company has successfully captured the attention of luxury hotels seeking sustainable beauty solutions, securing an exclusive contract with Four Seasons Hotels for their makeup remover product.
Originally from the Midwest, Davis has called Oregon home for 22 years.
The genesis of Functional Botanicals dates back to an idea conceived around 2012, but the venture took time to materialize as she focused on raising her child through his teenage years.
With her son entering college, Davis finally turned her attention back to her entrepreneurial aspirations, symbolically referring to it as the time to pursue her “new baby.”
Davis emphasized the importance of aligning her business with her personal values, noting her vegan lifestyle, which she embraced at 15 years old.
She feels a sense of pride in contributing to sustainability by offering organic, compostable products in what she hopes to make mainstream.
Recognizing the realities of capitalism, she stated, “You can’t stop capitalism. You can’t stop consuming things that you need — but we can be smarter.”
Beyond her business goals, Davis is committed to giving back to her local community in Ashland.
She has been proactive in donating wipes to women’s shelters, homeless shelters, and victims of the Almeda Fire in 2020.
With the newfound $100,000 investment, Davis has set her sights on expanding the company’s direct-to-consumer platform, recognizing the need to establish a social media presence to capture a broader market and increase small sales.
However, her vision for Functional Botanicals extends far beyond immediate growth.
“I really just want to build a beautiful machine,” she shared about her ambitions for the company.
Her expectation is to create numerous jobs and forge a lasting legacy while also mentoring women aspiring to enter and thrive in the entrepreneurial space.
image source from：https://www.oregonlive.com/retail/2025/06/5-oregon-food-and-wellness-startups-competed-for-100000-who-won-big.html
