We identify and empower emerging food and beverage brands by
investing in EARLY STAGE innovators
Through strategic investments and mentorship, we aim to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs, transforming the global food landscape with flavors that celebrate Asian heritage and community.
We don’t just invest, as experienced operators in Asia and North America we support founders with our expertise to navigate the challenges of manufacturing, logistics and marketing in the US market.
Our Story
Decades of Operational Excellence in Global Markets
We lived and worked in SE Asia and China most of our lives; so when we returned to America we were struck by the paucity of truly authentic Asian food, especially in convenience food and beverage. Copra LLC was founded in 2018 with the objective to identify promising and underdeveloped Asian food and beverage brands that we enable as they entered the US market; with a focus on the Natural Foods industry.
Our goal as early stage investors is to leverage our keen understanding of Asian and North American tastes to find areas of intersection to exploit. We don’t just invest, as experienced operators in Asia and North America we support founders with our expertise to navigate the challenges of manufacturing, logistics and marketing in the US market. We are proud of our track record and portfolio and thrilled that we are a player in enabling the rapid growth of Asian heritage categories in US retail.
Our Portfolio
High-Growth Brands
Beverages
Snacks
Services
Through strategic investments and mentorship, we aim to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs, transforming the global food landscape with flavors that celebrate Asian heritage and community.
Leadership
Guided by Decades of Hands-on Expertise
Multinational Board Leadership
Public companies across 6 countries
32+ Years Experience
Food & beverage industry in US and Asia
Former CEO, PepsiCo Asia
Led Frito-Lay's Asian market expansion
Angel Investor
Active in Asian heritage food & beverage
Tim Minges
Founder
Tim founded Copra LLC after retiring from a 32 year career in the food and beverage industry across the US and Asia. Tim’s experience runs the gamut from start-ups to scale operating general management roles. Tim and his family moved to Thailand in 1994 to start Frito-Lay in Asia, a journey that lasted 20 years and spanned four countries culminating in his role as CEO of PepsiCo Asia. Tim returned to the US in 2013 to become the Chief Customer and Transformation Officer of PepsiCo North American Beverages before he retired to pursue his interest in angel investing and non executive Board positions. Tim is an experienced BOD member with remits across continents as a member of public company boards in Thailand, Japan, Philippines, China, Switzerland and the USA.
Ben Minges
Founder
Ben grew up in Asia and developed a deep affinity for its people culture and especially food. After graduating high school in Bangkok he attended the University of Puget Sound where he earned a degree in Business and Entreprenuership.
Ben founded and ran a successful Asian food start up that achieved $40M+ in annual revenues in just its first 12 years. Ben bootstrapped his business and learned the industry from ground up; thus providing our portfolio founders an excellent mentor; one who has been there and done that.
Ben has excellent relationships with all key US retailers and an extensive professional network from his days building his own successful company.
Our Approach
Strategic Capital Paired with Market Expertise
Invest & Enable
As early-stage investors, we provide the capital and strategic guidance emerging brands need. Our investment approach is hands-on, patient, and rooted in deep industry knowledge.
Identify & Discover
We leverage our keen understanding of Asian and North American palates to find areas of intersection — uncovering authentic brands with untapped potential in the US natural foods market.
Operate & Scale
From manufacturing and supply chain to retail distribution and marketing, we walk alongside founders through every challenge of scaling in the competitive US food and beverage landscape.
Get in Touch
Partner with Us & Scale Your Vision
Are you building an emerging Asian food or beverage brand? We'd love to hear your story. We're always looking for promising brands rooted in cultural authenticity with strong potential in the US natural foods market.
Our goal as early stage investors is to leverage our keen understanding of Asian and North American tastes to find areas of intersection.