5 - ROBERT MOCK, CEO, New Frontier (Ocean’s Halo): From financial derivatives to seaweed chips…
In March 2012, Robert Mock left the world of financial derivatives behind with an idea for a healthier chip that incorporates seaweed.
Nine months later, he and three fellow c-ofounders launched Burlingame, CA natural foods company New Frontier, securing seed funding to produce Ocean’s Halo gluten-free sustainably harvested seaweed chips.
“The product has national appeal, and that’s what we were going for,” says Mock.
“We didn’t want a chip that just appeals to a niche. I think seaweed is starting to grow out of its niche position in the market."
Mock, along with co-founders Mike Shim, Shin Rhee and Mike Buckley, are all former finance and tech industry executives, which Mock says helped them get the company off the ground quickly.
“We’re not 25-year-old guys. We may not be food people, but we’ve all had careers and know we can go fast if we need to."
Click here to read our interview with Robert.