Our founders
Anna O’Sullivan & Lisa Kleiner
CMO & CEO · Nibbed Cacao
Nibbed Cacao
Nibbed Cacao was founded in Galway in 2021. We make pure cacao from organic beans, offering a rich, dark hot drink that supports calm energy, focus, mood, and overall wellbeing. Our products are designed as a daily ritual and a natural alternative to coffee. Since launching, we’ve grown quickly through our direct-to-consumer channel, while also expanding into retail and café partners across Ireland.
Interview
In their words
Key supports received during the start-up process and the role WestBIC played.
We applied for the PSSF with Enterprise Ireland, with WestBIC supporting us through the application process. Their input and feedback were invaluable, and we were approved on our first attempt
Words of advice & key issues for new start-ups
Resilience is everything. There will be setbacks, but the important thing is to keep going. Don’t let a “no” stop you—whether it’s funding, partnerships, or opportunities, you can always refine your approach and try again. Keep looking to other markets to see what’s ahead and to spot trends early. And make use of the resources available—there’s more support out there than you think.
Plans for the Future
We are preparing to launch into the UK market, with a strong focus on growing our direct-to-consumer channel and subscriptions. International expansion is a key priority. We are also investing in new product development, with functional cacao blends in the pipeline. Our team is expanding, with new hires across marketing, fulfilment, and operations to support the next stage of scaling.
Next steps
Next step
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