IK

Ian Knowles

Investor, Advisor and Brand Builder

📍 United States🔄 Updated September 2026💼 12 investments📅 7 years investing🗓 Last invested Jan 2025
VC🌍 United States
12
Total investments
1
Early stage
5
Mid stage
3
Late stage
7y
Years active

Portfolio

11 investments · sorted by recency
All investments
Early stage
Mid stage
Late stage
Board Member
Jan 2023
Flags Of Valor is far more than a veteran-run business. From our inception, weve been driven by two distinct ideas. First, that our combat veterans deserve opportunity. Second, the belief that Made in America still matters. Our team is exceptional and constantly growing. The majority of our craftsman are service-disabled, with significant combat-related injuries. Weve created an environment where teamwork is foundational and camaraderie is supreme. Veteran Owned • Veteran Operated • Combat Veteran Made
late stageManufacturing
Board Member
Dec 2022
You deserve better than overpriced tattoo care products that fall short of their promises. You deserve a simple product with effective ingredients that give you the confidence to show off your tattoos. You deserve aftercare made especially for your tattoo - products that make your tattoo more vibrant, help it withstand aging, and let you live your life without worrying about what it will look like in the future. We’re inspired by the tattoo artists that wake up every day to create beautiful art on their clients bodies - the ones that create art to reflect personality and milestones. They put in the effort to create your art, so we are putting in the effort to make sure your tattoo maintains its natural vibrancy. Our mission is to provide the best performing line of tattoo aftercare products that meet all of your tattoo needs. We hope to deliver on our promise to you and keep you excited about all that our aftercare has to offer.
mid stageRetail
Board Member
Dec 2022
TÖST Beverages are created to be as meaningful and sophisticated as alcoholic beverages but without alcohol. Using all-natural ingredients, our beverages are equally as satisfying as a daily refreshment as paired with fine dining.
Investor
Nov 2022
AirSeed Technologies is a fast-growing environmental restoration company. Combining drones, artificial intelligence and patented biotechnology, our mission is to plant 100 million trees a year by 2024 and accelerate global-scale reforestation.
Investor
May 2022
Crown Affair is a haircare brand that empowers people to redefine their relationship with their hair through products, guidance, and community. Launched in January 2020, Crown Affair’s initial offering is a collection of four post-wash essentials: The Brush, The Comb, The Towel, and The Oil. These products form the foundation of any healthy haircare routine, and are designed to work together to enhance any texture, length, or style.
mid stageManufacturing
Board Member
Jan 2021
Clean clothes for not naked people! Try Defunkify! Available @ Defunkify.com, Sprouts Farmers Market, Whole Foods Market and REI! • Crushes Odor • Pure Essential Oil Scents • EPA Safer Choice Partner of the Year! • 100% Climate & Plastic Neutral
mid stageManufacturing
Investor
Dec 2020
OLIKA, an Amyris brand, (pronounced “oo-lee-kah”) means “differently” in Swedish and exemplifies our approach – from our beautiful nature-inspired design that ergonomically fits in your hand, to our dedication to transparency and use of only the purest and most effective ingredients. At OLIKA, we believe the things you do every day should be delightful. Hand sanitizer is the first of many OLIKA collections that will reinvent personal hygiene and household staples. The OLIKA formula is vegan, cruelty-free and gluten-free. For more information on OLIKA, please visit www.olikalife.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. We are committed to amplifying diversity and inclusion within our team, and we always love meeting new people who share our passions. Please send your resume to differently@olikalife.com if you are interested in joining the team.
Board Member
Feb 2020
We like to think were a pioneer in the cocktail game. At Powell & Mahoney, we are committed to bringing you the quality, consistency and versatility of the world’s finest cocktail mixers, made with natural ingredients. Always perfectly balanced, always delicious and always at home behind any bar or cocktail party. We’ve reinvented America’s best-loved classic cocktail recipes by swapping out artificial flavors and preservatives for only the finest, hand-selected juices and pure cane sugar. We want you to feel good about serving our craft cocktail mixers. A staple in every cocktail lover’s kitchen! Founded out of necessity, Mark Mahoney and Brian Powell began crafting their natural cocktail mixers after realizing they weren’t able to recreate the same quality cocktails they often enjoyed from their local mixologist, at their home bar.
Board Member
Aug 2019
Bringing high performing skincare products that utilize the unique beneficial properties of Cannabis. Herb Essentials has been able to pioneer a new market segment - Premium Cannabis Beauty. All products are engineered around oils derived from the Cannabis plant and fortified with organic ingredients to maximize the effect of the specific products and its purpose. Based in New York City, our product offering ranges from skincare to fragrance and ingestive.
mid stageManufacturing
Board Member
Aug 2019
Hiyo is a USDA organic certified social tonic mindfully crafted with adaptogens and nootropics to be the better-than-alcohol alternative®. Each can of Hiyo produces a delightful sensation that we like to call “the float,” which comes from all-natural functional ingredients like ashwagandha, L-theanine, lion’s mane, cordyceps, ginger, and turmeric. Hiyo is available in four refreshing, fruit-forward flavors: Blackberry Lemon, Peach Mango, Strawberry Guava, and Watermelon Lime. As a brand, we’re on a mission to change the way the world drinks by creating a movement to unwind in a healthier way. With just 30 calories and 0% ABV per can, people no longer need to choose whether they want to feel good or prioritize their health. Delivering in both taste and functionality, Hiyo is a non-alcoholic option that is inspiring more solace on the sofa, more happy hours without hangovers, more presence at parties, and ultimately, a happier, healthier you.
early stageFood & Beverages
Experience · 18 entries
All (18)
Investments (11)
Founder (3)
Board (8)
2025
2023
Board Member
Jan 2023
Flags Of Valor is far more than a veteran-run business. From our inception, weve been driven by two distinct ideas. First, that our combat veterans deserve opportunity. Second, the belief that Made in America still matters. Our team is exceptional and constantly growing. The majority of our craftsman are service-disabled, with significant combat-related injuries. Weve created an environment where teamwork is foundational and camaraderie is supreme. Veteran Owned • Veteran Operated • Combat Veteran Made
late stageManufacturing
2022
Board Member
Dec 2022
You deserve better than overpriced tattoo care products that fall short of their promises. You deserve a simple product with effective ingredients that give you the confidence to show off your tattoos. You deserve aftercare made especially for your tattoo - products that make your tattoo more vibrant, help it withstand aging, and let you live your life without worrying about what it will look like in the future. We’re inspired by the tattoo artists that wake up every day to create beautiful art on their clients bodies - the ones that create art to reflect personality and milestones. They put in the effort to create your art, so we are putting in the effort to make sure your tattoo maintains its natural vibrancy. Our mission is to provide the best performing line of tattoo aftercare products that meet all of your tattoo needs. We hope to deliver on our promise to you and keep you excited about all that our aftercare has to offer.
mid stageRetail
Board Member
Dec 2022
TÖST Beverages are created to be as meaningful and sophisticated as alcoholic beverages but without alcohol. Using all-natural ingredients, our beverages are equally as satisfying as a daily refreshment as paired with fine dining.
Investor
Nov 2022
AirSeed Technologies is a fast-growing environmental restoration company. Combining drones, artificial intelligence and patented biotechnology, our mission is to plant 100 million trees a year by 2024 and accelerate global-scale reforestation.
Show all 18 entries ↓
Investment activity
2019–2025 · 12 investments
201932020220211202242023120251
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