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PittMoss isn't accepting new investments

PittMoss’ deadline was November 8, 2021

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PittMoss

PittMoss is a top performing upcycled soil made from organic, recycled paper
B2B Reduce & Reuse B2C Agriculture Combat Carbon Crowd SAFE
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$718,546
Total raised in 2 campaigns
2,493
Investors in 2 campaigns
Successfully funded and closed on November 8, 2021.
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Co-investors
Mark Cuban
Billionaire entrepreneur, startup investor, and Shark Tank investor
Mark Cuban is an American billionaire entrepreneur, TV personality, media proprietor, and investor, whose net worth is an estimated $4.3B, according to Forbes. He is the owner of the Dallas Mavericks and is also one of the main "shark" investors on the ABC reality television series Shark Tank.
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Closed on November 8, 2021. Information may not be up-to-date. Campaign closed on November 8, 2021. Information displayed may not be up-to-date.
Problem Solution Product Traction Customers Biz. model Market Competition Vision and strategy Funding Founders
About Team Press

Documents

Republic (OpenDeal Portal LLC, CRD #283874) is hosting this Reg CF securities offering by PittMoss LLC. View the official SEC filing and all updates:
Official SEC Logo Form C SEC.gov
Company documents
PittMoss Crowd SAFE Pittmoss Form C:A.pdf
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Hear from some of the 1,432 investors in PittMoss


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Highlights


$1M+ raised
Company has previously raised over $1M in capital
$500K+ revenue
Company had over $500K in revenue in the past 12 months
Notable Angel backing
Company is backed by a notable angel investor
  • Eco-friendly soil disrupting the horticulture industry
  • $900K+ in revenue to date
  • Selling in 150+ stores in 22 US states
  • Doubling customer count each year and increasing average sale per customer
  • $6B addressable market with projected revenue of $24M by 2025
  • $4.45M in funding to date ; Backed by Mark Cuban & several angel groups

Problem


Our gardens should be helping the planet, not harming it

For generations, gardeners and growers have been using soils that are harmful to our planet. Formulated with peat moss, the average bag of potting soil has always been less than ideal for horticultural use. PittMoss has many advantages over any peat-based soil on the market today.

We are currently facing two major sustainability issues: land waste and CO2 emissions. 34% of landfills are filled with recyclable cellulose fiber materials such as newsprint, magazines, cardboard, and other paper products that don't really need to be landfilled.  In addition, many seemingly environmentally friendly products, like peat-based potting soils, are producing massive CO2 emissions as soon as they are dug from the ground. 

Peat bogs make up less than 3% of terrestrial land mass, but act as massive carbon sinks.  They hold more carbon than all of the worlds forests combined and reducing peat mining is one of the top 10 carbon emissions initiatives from the UN.

Even though almost every soil mixture today includes peat moss, it simply doesn't make sense because peat is highly acidic (requiring lime to raise the pH), extremely dense (requiring perlite to be mined, heated, and added to peat-based soils) and actually repels water (requiring chemical wetting agents to hold water). Because we have been conditioned to consistently overwater our peat-based soils we are also wasting fresh water and causing massive amounts of fertilizer runoff which often turns into algae bloom problems in our lakes and oceans. 

We need sustainable alternatives to peat-based soils. 

Solution


PittMoss:  The next generation of soils

PittMoss offers next-generation garden soils and amendments that are better for plants and for the planet.  Made from the cellulose fiber material that we are currently taking to landfills, the revolutionary properties created by PittMoss' upcycled materials allow for more air, water, and nutrients to be delivered to plants. This encourages faster, stronger root development and top growth - resulting in bigger, healthier plants with more and larger blooms. The unique fiber structure of PittMoss creates physical, biological, and chemical properties that other soils simply cannot replicate.  The PittMoss fiber structure is the secret (and protected) ingredient that can't be replicated by others and is much cleaner (organic, and pesticide free) than other soils.

Product


Just what your plants (and the planet) need

PittMoss is made from recycled fibers specifically engineered to provide optimal management of applied resources, such as water and fertilizer. Not only does PittMoss increase the time between watering, it also manages the water more efficiently by allowing plants to uptake water when needed. This is much better for the planet than the constant over-watering that is required with peat-based soils. This makes for better use of resources by storing water and fertilizer more efficiently and delivering it to plants as they need it.

PittMoss absorbs and releases nutrients back into the root system to grow bigger and stronger plants in less time while reducing our dependency on peat-based products.  In 2020, our PittMoss soil products prevented the emission of 811.11 metric tons of CO2. 

How does a savings of 811.11 metric tons of CO2 emissions equate to other referenceable items? Here’s a few examples:

  •  2,012,680 miles driven by an average passenger vehicle
  •  893,732 pounds of coal burned
  •  91,269 gallons of gasoline consumed
  •  33,158 propane cylinders used
  •  276 tons of waste recycled instead of landfilled

Traction


150+ stores across the US

In 2014 PittMoss appeared on Shark Tank, and secured an investment from Mark Cuban and a number of angel groups.  In 2015 Pittmoss launched with a focus on selling its base material to nurseries and commercial growers as a soil amendment. Now, after continued interest from home gardeners, the company has developed multiple peat-free products for home gardening enthusiasts.  Company revenue has grown by 40-50% annually, surpassing $900K+ in total revenue to date.  The company also sells to more than 150 stores across 22 states in the US.

Featured in:


Customers


Doubling customer count each year

PittMoss clients all share one thing in common: they love to grow.  PittMoss sells its products in three distinct channels. The company sells commercial bulk quantities to nurseries landscapers, and growers.  In the wholesale channel, PittMoss sells to more than 150 garden centers.  And via e-commerce, the company sells to individual garden enthusiasts. PittMoss customers love the products and are impressed by the moisture retention, growing capability, and overall strength of their plants.  Not only is the company doubling its customer counts each year, it is also increasing the average sale per customer each year as well.

Hear from our customers: 


Business model


Three huge revenue streams

PittMoss has three key revenue streams: commercial growers, wholesale distribution, and e-commerce. PittMoss retail products sell for $9.95 - $20.95 at the local garden center, depending on the SKU. As the company continues to scale its operations, cost of goods as a percentage of revenue will continue to decrease. Today the company has gross margins of about 45%.  

At a glance:

Market


$6B market potential

The estimated retail market for soils is worth $6B, $500M of which is raw, imported peat moss before it is processed and amended to become a soil mixture. By offering a much better, locally produced product, PittMoss has the potential to disrupt the entire $6B soil market, but to execute its business plan and produce an exit for investors, PittMoss only needs to generate revenue of $24M which is anticipated by 2025. 

Competition


Planting the seed for a new kind of soil

PittMoss is disrupting the traditional peat-based soil market by offering a greener, more effective and sustainable solution to all growers. Not only is PittMoss better for the planet, it helps create strong, more nourished plants with significantly less water.  In fact, independent growth trials bear results that are so good that trials are demonstrated using time-lapse photography to prove that PittMoss plants actually grow bigger every week compared to the competition.


Vision and strategy


Locally made soils in every major US market! 

Why dig up peat and ship it half way across our country from Canada, when we can make much better soils from local waste materials instead?

By reaching its fundraising goal, PittMoss plans to expand its sales, marketing, distribution, and production efforts across all product lines.  Of particular importance is the development of the cannabis and hemp markets which are two very fast growing segments of the economy.

The company has also identified six new opportunity areas for the future: equine bedding, groundwater management, chicken bedding, worm castings, specialty mixes, and compost starters. PittMoss has already begun entering into the animal bedding industry and plans to use the funds raised improve sales and marketing opportunities in several of the markets described.

Funding


$4.45M in funding to date from leading investors

When PittMoss debuted on Shark Tank three sharks made the company an offer: Mark Cuban, Kevin O’Leary and Robert Herjavec. In total, the company has raised over $4.45M to date and are now making investment available to the company's customers and fans to invest along side the sharks.

PittMoss believes that when it achieves about $24M in sales (anticipated in 2025) the company can be sold for 2x to 4x of revenues (between $48M-$96M) which would equate to about an 7x to 13x return on investment based upon current company valuation.


Founders


Mont Handley wins investment on Shark Tank

Mont Handley developed the idea behind PittMoss in the 1990's and recently received the prestigious Tibbets Award from the EPA for developing and commercializing PittMoss. Mont turned over the operations of the company to a dedicated team of experienced business development and industry experts while he went home to care for his ailing father.  Mont is still the largest individual shareholder and board member for the company.

Deal terms


Valuation cap

$7,500,000

The maximum valuation at which your investment converts into equity shares or cash.
Learn more

Discount

0%

If a trigger event for PittMoss occurs, the discount provision gives investors equity shares (or equal value in cash) at a reduced price.
Learn more.

Minimum investment

$100

The smallest investment amount that PittMoss is accepting.
Learn more

Funding goal

$25K – $500K

PittMoss needs to raise $25K before the deadline. The maximum amount PittMoss is willing to raise is $25K – $500K.
Learn more

Deadline
PittMoss needs to reach their minimum funding goal before the deadline (). If they don’t, all investments will be refunded.
Learn more
Type of security

Crowd SAFE

A SAFE allows an investor to make a cash investment in a company, with rights to receive certain company stock at a later date, in connection with a specific event. · Learn more

How it works

Documents

Republic (OpenDeal Portal LLC, CRD #283874) is hosting this Reg CF securities offering by PittMoss LLC. View the official SEC filing and all updates:
Official SEC Logo Form C SEC.gov
Company documents
PittMoss Crowd SAFE Pittmoss Form C:A.pdf

About PittMoss

Legal Name
PittMoss LLC
Founded
Jan 2015
Form
Delaware LLC
Employees
12
Website
pittmoss.com
Social Media
Headquarters
Google Map location of of PittMoss
2603 Duss Avenue , Ambridge, PA
Headquarters
2603 Duss Avenue, Ambridge, PA, United States 15003

PittMoss Team
Everyone helping build PittMoss, not limited to employees

Profile picture of Brian Scott
Brian Scott
President, CEO
Brian has spent his career leading teams to success. A 10 year angel investor and experienced leader, Brian knows what it takes to grow a company.
Profile picture of Ashley  Mariani
Ashley Mariani
Director of Business Development
With 8+ years of leading marketing teams, Ashley is passionate about her role in growing PittMoss, while overseeing their community outreach and marketing initiatives. MBA & MA in Mass Communication.
Profile picture of Mark Goldman
Mark Goldman
Director of Technical Sales
Mark has spent his life in the horticulture industry. Working in various capacities, from managing large production operations to developing sales channels.
Profile picture of Amber Miles
Amber Miles
Contract CFO and General Counsel
Amber has 20+ years of experience leading the finance departments for companies of all sizes and across various industries. She has an MBA, is a PA attorney and is passionate about helping companies grow and prosper.
Profile picture of Rachel Szelc
Rachel Szelc
Operations Manager
Rachel started as an intern while finishing up an accounting degree and quickly proved PittMoss needed her full-time. Rachel manages much of the business that we depend upon, from accounting to logistics, she is a rock star.
Profile picture of Donna Pavlis
Donna Pavlis
Manager, Marketing and Advertising
Donna has 38+ years of experience in design and marketing. She is owner/chief marketing strategist for SG&D Communications in addition to her role of overseeing the marketing efforts of PittMoss.
Profile picture of Rob Rosile
Rob Rosile
Sales
Rob was an early team member to PittMoss, growing into a sales role to support our wholesale and commercial efforts. Rob has an MBA and a previous background in e-commerce.
Profile picture of Mary Deemer
Mary Deemer
Project Coordinator
Mary graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences and got her M.S. at Slippery Rock University in Sustainable Systems. She currently lives on a 15 acre homestead with chickens and horses.
Profile picture of The Crew
The Crew
PittMoss Production
Our production team is essential for making quality, consistent products every day. Our crew is the hardest working out there, bringing green manufacturing to Ambridge,PA!
6 more team members
Brian Scott
President, CEO
Ashley Mariani
Director of Business Development
Mark Goldman
Director of Technical Sales
Amber Miles
Contract CFO and General Counsel
Rachel Szelc
Operations Manager
Donna Pavlis
Manager, Marketing and Advertising
Rob Rosile
Sales
Mary Deemer
Project Coordinator
The Crew
PittMoss Production

Press

10 Green things that could return Pittsburgh to the jungle
Local-pittsburgh Local-pittsburgh
·
Apr 20, 2020

DECADES BEFORE the first Earth Day in 1970, there were discerning dreamers who urged their contemporaries to envision a g...

TechVibe Radio: One Mic Stand: PittMoss
Libsynpro
·
Apr 15, 2020

PittMoss started as a humble kitchen experiment in 1994, and quickly evolved into founder Mont Handley's passionate, life...

PittMoss will deliver its recycled soil with seed packets...
NEXTpittsburgh NEXTpittsburgh
·
Apr 13, 2020

Ashley Mariani from PittMoss and Gary Borrow from Brenckle's Organic Farm inspecting plants. Photo courtesy of PittMoss. ...

Grow From Home: Local Company Offering Way For Pittsburgh...
Cbslocal Cbslocal
·
Apr 11, 2020

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - In an effort to practice social distancing and stop the spread of coronavirus, many people are limiti...

An Effective Soil Mix
Cannabis Business Times
·
Feb 4, 2019

How one self-proclaimed 'soil geek' and commercial grower is using PittMoss to improve plant characteristics and cannabin...

Pitt Moss serves as peat moss replacement - Everybody Gar...
Everybody Gardens Everybody Gardens
·
Apr 14, 2017

Most people became aware of Pitt Moss when company founder Mont Handley appeared on ABC's "Shark Tank" in 2014. But Handl...

Why Mark Cuban (and Two Other Sharks) Bet $600,000 on Pit...
Inc.com Inc.com
·
Apr 20, 2015

Mark Cuban and two of his co-hosts gave new meaning to the term 'dirty capitalist' on Friday's episode. Entrepreneur Mont...

You Can't Get 'Shark Tank's PittMoss Yet
Bustle Bustle
·
Apr 17, 2015

I watched a lot of Captain Planet growing up, but I never realized that people could be hurting the environment with thei...

Ambridge startup PittMoss touts benefits of recycled soils
The Times The Times

PittMoss, an Ambridge-based manufacturer of organic, recycled paper-based potting soils, released a study this week ident...

From 'Shark Tank' to reality, PittMoss ready to grow its ...
The Times The Times

AMBRIDGE -- A dream more than a decade in the making is about to become a reality, thanks in part to investments from Pit...

Show all
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PittMoss

PittMoss successfully raised $481,438 from 1432 investors on November 8, 2021
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Michael Shendi, David, Remy, Vincent, Dilprit Danny, and 1427 others invested. 216 Reviews

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