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Joey Grassia      

Founder, Kutoa Health

KUTOA™, which means “to give” in Swahili, was founded by young entrepreneur, Joey Grassia. The idea was born in late 2009, after Grassia had witnessed the effects of malnutrition during his time in South Asia and after he experienced a health scare of his own.

“The vast devastation I witnessed was unforgivable and became forever imprinted in my mind. Young children sitting helpless and hungry in dirt alleyways, while their parents worked in deplorable conditions to provide for them. In Vietnam and Cambodia, I met children who went to bed hungry every night in makeshift housing that often collapsed on them. The people I encountered and the situations I witnessed were both tragic and unforgettable."

After returning from Asia in 2007, Joey knew he needed to do something to alleviate the tragedies he witnessed. He quickly changed his major from Economics to International Development and started studying the causes behind the devastation. However, it wasn't until he experienced a health scare of his own that the dots connected.

Grassia has two food brands to his name. The first, KUTOA Health Bars, came about while he was still working at Facebook in 2011. The idea for the second, Steamm Espresso, came while he was pitching KUTOA: he wanted a caffeine fix via something healthier than an energy drink and something stronger than regular coffee. Steamm, which yields a higher-intensity espresso by using steam, was the result. The coffee comes bottled and is currently served in offices around Silicon Valley.

News


Kutoa Bars: Nourishing You and a Child In Need
While zipping through the Expo West floor, attempting in vain to cover every square foot of dairy-free offerings, I spotted Kutoa Bars. The last thing my full belly was craving was a dense bar, but I was intrigued by their clear mission. I just had to get a little more information...
Forbes’ “30 Under 30” List Includes Founders of Mati, Steamm
Forbes has released its annual “30 Under 30” list, which the magazine promotes “600 of the brightest young entrepreneurs, innovators and game changers” among 20 industries...
Del Oro grad cuts out distributors to lower retail price of Kutoa health foods
Del Oro High School graduate Joey Grassia had shopped at plenty of grocery stores, but he didn’t understand how food was priced until he launched his own food company, San Francisco-based Kutoa Health Co...

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