We are an early-stage venture fund investing in innovative consumer and tech brands shaping the future of Health & Wellness.
OUR TEAM
Melissa Spaen
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Melissa is a Dutch national based in Athens, with strong ties to Amsterdam and New York.
She brings 10+ years of investment banking experience, focused on the Consumer & Retail and Tech, Media & Telecom sectors.
Most recently, she was a Managing Director at Evercore in New York specializing in Food & Beverages and Health & Wellness.
Melissa started her career at Deutsche Bank in Amsterdam and New York.
She holds a MSc in Financial Economics from Erasmus University Rotterdam and a BSc in International Business from Maastricht University.
“As a mom, I live Wellness every day. From healthy meals to custom supplements and Pilates, self-care is woven into every part of my life. That’s why Gaia is so personal to me — it’s not just work, but my passion.”
Sanam Mechkat
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Sanam is a a New Yorker with Persian-Swiss roots, based in London with active presence in Geneva and New York.
She brings 10+ years of experience in Consumer & Retail investment banking and strategic advisory.
Most recently, she was a Senior Vice President at Evercore in New York, advising leading brands in Consumer Health, Food & Beverages, Beauty, and Retail.
Since 2021, Sanam has been part of the Expert Network at Female Founders Fund, mentoring early-stage, female-led businesses.
She holds an MBA from NYU’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business and a BA from Wesleyan University.
“As an integrative health coach and registered yoga teacher living with a serious autoimmune condition, I’ve seen firsthand the need for better solutions — and I’m passionate about supporting the founders building them.”
Wall Street meets VC.
We started our journey in investment banking, working together as founding members of Evercore’s US Consumer & Retail team. We advised 100+ companies on growth, M&A and capital strategy — from strategic acquisitions and PE buyouts to IPOs and founder-led sales. We gained inside access to companies of every size and helped founders build business plans, shape equity stories, and prepare for raises or exits.
Along the way, we saw a clear shift: consumers demanding healthier, more sustainable, and more meaningful products. Moving to Europe, we witnessed the same evolution, but at a slower pace than the US, with far fewer sector-specialists. Gaia was born out of a vision to bridge that gap.
It’s our mission to back the next generation of European Health & Wellness leaders.
Purpose
driven.
Our name refers to the Greek goddess of Earth and reflects our core belief that businesses rooted in wellbeing — of people, communities, and the environment — outperform over time.
OUR M&A RECORD
With over $50B in advisory transactions, we know what it takes to scale and exit great consumer brands, and what buyers value most.
Wellness
first.
Health & Wellness is more than our investment focus, it’s our way of life. Certified health coach and yoga teacher. Mother of two. We live the values we invest in.
OUR FOCUS
Where consumers, health, and technology come together.
We back impact-driven brands with strong growth potential — companies that care, empower consumers to take control of their health, and create lasting value for the world around them.
Our typical investments are Seed to Series A stage in UK or EU-based ventures with a global mindset and a commitment to diversity and sustainability.
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![Better-for-You Food & Beverages]()
Better-for-You Food & Beverages
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![Nutrition & Supplements]()
Nutrition & Supplements
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![Clean Beauty & Personal Care]()
Clean Beauty & Personal Care
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![Women's Health & Femtech]()
Women's Health & Femtech
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![Preventative Health & Longevity]()
Preventative Health & Longevity
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![Pet Health & Nutrition]()
Pet Health & Nutrition
OUR EDGE
Our support goes beyond writing checks, we’re hands-on partners every step of the way.
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Decades of working closely with hundreds of brands means we know what drives success, and what doesn’t.
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We bring strategies from the world’s most advanced Health & Wellness market to Europe.
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With strong ties to investors, operators, and experts on both sides of the Atlantic, we help companies expand with precision.
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We bring diverse perspectives and back founders who are reshaping the industry with equity at the core.
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From acquisitions to IPOs, we know the buyers, the pathways, and how to get to strong outcomes.