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VCIR 2010 – Clementine Art
Clementine Art offers a line of naturally non-toxic, environmentally friendly children’s art supplies presented in eco-chic packaging — a new subset within a multi-billion dollar category. The company chose to distribute its products first through premium channels before penetrating the mass market.
Clementine has six products with ingredients that provide an innovative alternative to the materials currently available. Its products do not contain artificial dyes nor chemicals, are be responsibly sourced from renewable resources, is environmentally friendly (including recyclable packaging), and tested to be completely safe. Clementine is the first company in this space to fully disclose ingredients on the back panel of every package and all products are manufactured in the U.S.A.
Market
Clementine is effectively creating a new product category that intersects two markets: children’s arts & crafts, and natural products. The United States Toy market is worth over $21 billion; Clementine is targeting both the Arts & Crafts ($2.5 billion) and pre-school and infant ($3.1 billion) segments. The Natural Products industry stands at $68 billion.
A single traditional company, Crayola, has dominated the art supply arena for almost 100 years. Crayola and other large competitors are managed for efficiency, not innovation; Crayola does not currently offer a natural product line.
Management
John Maggio, Founder, President and CEO. John founded natural food company Boulder Potato Company (Boulder Chips) in 1994 - he successfully grew the company before an exit by acquisition to the Inventure Group (NASDAQ: SNAK). John has run other consumer product companies and has been involved with the launch of several new brands and well over 100 products within those brands.
Diana Mercer, Passionate Founder. Diana brings 20 years experience in the field of Education, Arts Education, Early Childhood Education, and Child Development to Clementine Art. Her experience inspired her to provide parents and children at Clementine with a fresh perspective on art and the development of creativity.
Gordon Cooper, Vice-President, Sales and Marketing. Gordon’s previous experience includes sales and marketing in multiple channels with Nestle and Celestial Seasonings. Most recently he was Director of National Sales for Larabar, which he led from $3 million to over $35 million in sales before an acquisition by General Mills in the summer of 2008.
Katherine Gregory, Vice President of Operations. Katherine’s background includes over 15 years of supply chain experience in both high-end retail and consumer packaged goods. Most recently, she held roles in both operations and marketing at Williams Sonoma, Inc.
Financing
To date, the Company has been capitalized on founder, management and angel investments in a Friends & Family round . It has raised over $1 million
