Rogue Snacks raises $2.5 million

LOS ANGELES — Rogue Snacks has raised $2.5 million in a pre-seed funding round, led by Science Inc., to accelerate its national retail expansion and digital commerce strategy.

Rogue will launch online this month and nationally in the protein and sports nutrition aisle in approximately 2,800 Walmart stores in July.

The funding also will support inventory production for the Walmart launch, expansion of creator and affiliate partnerships, hiring across operations and retail and preparation for broader wholesale distribution following the initial national rollout, according to the company.

The company is launching protein chips in spicy chicken sandwich and buffalo chicken wing varieties that both offer 20 grams of protein.

Additionally, the company is debuting protein puffs that are available in chocolate chip cookie, which offers 15 grams of protein, and a retail exclusive Churro flavor that has 12 grams of protein at Walmart.

Chip ingredients include acid casein, avocado oil, whey protein isolate, tapioca maltodextrin, inulin, MCT oil powder, dehydrated vegetables, tapioca starch, natural flavors, salt, vinegar powder, yeast extract, sodium bicarbonate, malic acid, spices, bacillus coagulans (a probiotic), paprika extractives, monk fruit extract, stevia extract, calcium stearate, calcium silicate, beta carotene, sea salt, mixed tocopherols and sunflower lecithin.

The puffs are formulated with acid casein, maltodextrin, avocado oil, whey protein isolate, tapioca starch, MCT oil powder, spices, natural flavors, sodium bicarbonate, caramel color, cocoa powder, monk fruit concentrate juice powder, salt, bacillus coagulans, olive oil, silicon dioxide, sea salt, mixed tocopherols, and sunflower lecithin.

Rogue said it created its products to feature intense, flavor-forward seasoning and active probiotics designed to support digestion.

“Protein snacks have become a massive category, but consumers have been forced to sacrifice taste for function,” said Tommy Riggs, co-founder of Rogue. “We created Rogue so you don’t have to compromise — you can have wild and delicious flavors, real performance benefits, and clean ingredients in one snack.”

The launch of Rogue is venture studio Science Inc.’s first time entering the protein snack category.

Science Inc. also has aided in founding Dollar Shave Club, Liquid Death and Final Boss Sour.

“Protein snacking is a massive and growing category, but most brands are still being built for the old playbook of win the shelf first, figure out the brand later,” said Michael Jones, general partner at Science Inc. “Rogue flips that model. We’ve built a digital-first brand with retail scale through Walmart. That ensures a national footprint from day one and combines product innovation, creator-led distribution to accelerate adoption.”