John Burns

CEO/Board Member/Investor

📍 Boston, Massachusetts, United States🔄 Updated September 2026💼 11 investments📅 14 years investing🗓 Last invested May 2025𝕏 @upgrade_to_unlock
VC🌍 United States
11
Total investments
3
Early stage
4
Mid stage
2
Late stage
14y
Years active

Portfolio

10 investments · sorted by recency
All investments
Early stage
Mid stage
Late stage
Board Member & Investor
Jul 2024
Our first product, kegg, is a fertility tracker and pelvic floor trainer that analyzes vaginal data by measuring changes in cervical mucus to identify women’s full fertile windows. kegg’s proprietary vaginal health platform provides women with actionable insights that support her on her personal health journey. kegg is the only solution on the market that women are inserting vaginally and using on a daily basis - setting the foundation for significant strides forward around collection of new data critical for continued progress in women’s health. To date, kegg has supported 60,000 women and families on their trying-to-conceive journey.
Investor
2024
Actual Veggies makes real food that puts vegetables front and center. Our chef-crafted veggie burgers and Super Fries are made from simple, whole ingredients you can see and taste. We’re committed to real ingredients, real flavor, and food that’s as satisfying as it is wholesome, no fillers, no shortcuts. Find Actual Veggies nationwide at Whole Foods, Sprouts, Kroger, Albertsons, and more. Learn more at actualveggies.com
CEO & Board Member
Aug 2018
TB12 is transforming global health & wellness by empowering athletes to prevent injury, improve longevity, and raise their peak performance. Inspired by the training method of 3-time NFL MVP and 7-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Tom Brady, TB12 delivers personalized, comprehensive programming to a worldwide audience. The TB12 Method integrates revolutionary concepts in deep-force muscle pliability work, hydration, nutrition, functional strength & conditioning, and cognitive health. We support athletes through an omni-channel approach that incorporates physical locations, immersive digital experiences, and innovative functional products.
Board Member & Investor
2018
Grillo's Pickles began simply with a pickle cart, just a small wooden stand in downtown Boston, where Travis Grillo and his friends would sell two spears for one dollar. Travis made the pickles by night using his family's 100-year old recipe - one he'd memorized from making pickles every summer as a kid. Then, in the morning, Travis would bike to the Boston Common and set up the cart with his buddies. Theyʼd hang out all day, urging people to try the simple Grillo family pickle. It was a small business, but Travis worked hard for it. He made more pickles, biked more miles, and slept less hours than he ever had before. Before he knew it, Whole Foods Markets and the Boston Red Sox asked to feature the pickles. Others promptly followed. Today, Grilloʼs Pickles are available in grocery stores across the country. Even so, not much has changed. At its core, the company will always be Travis and his buddies spreading the word about these awesome pickles, just like years ago in the Boston Common. The pickle itself hasnʼt changed, either. Itʼs still garden-fresh, all-natural, and refreshingly delicious. We think itʼs the best pickle in the world.
Board Member & Investor
Apr 2016
EverybodyFights® features five class experiences based on a real fighter’s training camp: BAGS (boxing), TRAIN (circuit), ROAD (endurance), MITTS (technique) and RECOVER (yoga/recovery). Founded by George Foreman III and inspired by the soul of boxing, EverybodyFights has the grit of a traditional boxing gym delivered in the style of a luxury fitness studio. Whether you want to fight, or get into fighting shape, you can get it done at the King of Boxing Gyms. Current Locations: Boston (2), NYC, Chicago, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Kentucky.
Founder & Board Member
Jan 2015
Oath Pizza is a better-for-you craft pizza brand that has reimagined the pizza experience with its uniquely delicious avocado oil crust, real, fresh toppings, signature twists on traditional flavors, and customizable offerings. Oath started in a 600 sq ft seaside shop on Nantucket Island in 2015. Today, Oath Pizza has expanded to 29 locations across the U.S. and offers nationwide shipping via GoldbellyⓇ and is continuing to grow.
early stageFood & Beverages
Board Member & Investor
Jan 2015
Oath Pizza is a better-for-you craft pizza brand that has reimagined the pizza experience with its uniquely delicious avocado oil crust, real, fresh toppings, signature twists on traditional flavors, and customizable offerings. Oath started in a 600 sq ft seaside shop on Nantucket Island in 2015. Today, Oath Pizza has expanded to 29 locations across the U.S. and offers nationwide shipping via GoldbellyⓇ and is continuing to grow.
early stageFood & Beverages
Board Member & Investor
Nov 2013
Kindergarten friends turned entrepreneurs, founders Drew Harrington and Amanda Klane set out on a mission to create desserts that deliver on everyday indulgence with great taste, quality ingredients and superb nutritionals. Since hitting store shelves in 2011 as the first to market frozen Greek yogurt, Yasso quickly became one of the fastest-growing dessert brands in the world, disrupting the brand ranks of deeply entrenched competitors and attracting a loyal following of brand enthusiasts. Yasso can be found at major grocery and club stores nationwide, and is an active, positive contributor to the community via its Game On! Foundation. To find your local retailers and to learn more about Yasso, please visit www.yasso.com and follow @yasso.
mid stageManufacturing
Board Member & Investor
Aug 2012
Spartan is for those willing to mentally and physically push to achieve your personal best. It’s a sport, mindset, community and way of life. Above all, it’s a catalyst for transformation, pushing you beyond what you thought was possible. Founded in 2010 by CEO Joe DeSena, Spartan is the world’s largest obstacle race and endurance brand, with more than 200 global events annually. The Spartan lifestyle spans more than 40 countries and encompasses a global championship series, training and nutrition programs, health and wellness products and a range of media entities. Spartan’s obstacle races have seen more than 5 million participants jump through fire and over the finish line after pushing their bodies and minds to limit across miles of unforgiving terrain while conquering signature obstacles such as the spear throw, bucket brigade and barbed wire crawl. Race events include three distances: the three to five-mile, 20-23 obstacle “Sprint;” eight to 10-mile, 24 to 29 obstacle “Super;” and 12 to 14-mile, 30 to 35 obstacle “Beast,” which, when completed in one race season earns competitors the coveted “Trifecta” medal. All races are timed and feature Elite, Age-Group, and Open heats, along with Spartan Kids races designed to challenge youth ages four to 14 with special obstacles and trails. The Spartan Championship Series features global rankings which culminate into the Spartan Race World Championship, where the sport’s best male and female athletes collide in Lake Tahoe, CA September 30 through October 1. Spartan Endurance, created to bring participants to their breaking points and build them back up again include the 26.2-mile (or greater), 60 to 70 obstacle Ultra; four and 12-hour Hurricane Heats, and 60 to 70-hour Agoge. For more information visit Spartan.com, or follow @Spartan
early stageSpectator Sports
Investor
Jun 2012
We are NIC+ZOE, a fiercely female clothing brand led by designer, Dorian Lightbown and her daughter, Zoe. We are driven by one simple mission: to help women ignite their inner confidence. Founded in Boston in 2004, the brand is widely recognized for its knitwear, distinctive patterns, and sophisticated fits. Our customizable, versatile pieces are purposefully designed to help women feel just as good on the inside as they look on the outside.
Experience · 16 entries
All (16)
Investments (10)
Founder (3)
Board (8)
2025
Board Member & Investor
May 2025
Luke’s Lobster was born out of the dream of Maine native and third-generation lobsterman Luke Holden to bring the quality, affordable lobster rolls of his youth to the big city. After meeting business partner Ben Conniff on Craigslist (yes, Craigslist), the two twenty-somethings opened their first lobster shack in a 250 square foot space in NYC’s East Village in October 2009. Nearly a decade later Luke’s Lobster shacks can be found in ten states across the U.S., and in Japan and Singapore. You can also find Lukes products in Whole Foods Markets nationwide and can have them shipped anywhere in the US through our Online Market! As part of its mission to serve the best tasting seafood, sourced responsibly, Luke’s Lobster also built a state-of-the-art seafood facility in Saco, Maine, that allows the company to not only buy lobsters directly from fishermen at the dock but immediately steam, pick, and send them to its shacks to ensure perfect flavor and texture with every bite and transparent sourcing detail for its guests. In 2018, Luke & Ben furthered their growing seafood company’s commitment to sustainability and socially conscious business practices by becoming a certified B Corporation®, reflecting Luke’s Lobster’s deep devotion to each of its communities, its family of teammates, and the environment. Please visit www.lukeslobster.com for more information.
2024
Board Member & Investor
Jul 2024
Our first product, kegg, is a fertility tracker and pelvic floor trainer that analyzes vaginal data by measuring changes in cervical mucus to identify women’s full fertile windows. kegg’s proprietary vaginal health platform provides women with actionable insights that support her on her personal health journey. kegg is the only solution on the market that women are inserting vaginally and using on a daily basis - setting the foundation for significant strides forward around collection of new data critical for continued progress in women’s health. To date, kegg has supported 60,000 women and families on their trying-to-conceive journey.
Investor
2024
Actual Veggies makes real food that puts vegetables front and center. Our chef-crafted veggie burgers and Super Fries are made from simple, whole ingredients you can see and taste. We’re committed to real ingredients, real flavor, and food that’s as satisfying as it is wholesome, no fillers, no shortcuts. Find Actual Veggies nationwide at Whole Foods, Sprouts, Kroger, Albertsons, and more. Learn more at actualveggies.com
2022
Chief Executive Officer
Oct 2022
We have a relentless devotion to supporting entrepreneurs as they push the boundaries between passion and obsession, and we are fanatical about elevating products, services and experiences that empower people to live better lives. Relentless acquires and invests in high potential consumer brands where we take an active role in driving outsized shareholder returns.
2018
CEO & Board Member
Aug 2018
TB12 is transforming global health & wellness by empowering athletes to prevent injury, improve longevity, and raise their peak performance. Inspired by the training method of 3-time NFL MVP and 7-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Tom Brady, TB12 delivers personalized, comprehensive programming to a worldwide audience. The TB12 Method integrates revolutionary concepts in deep-force muscle pliability work, hydration, nutrition, functional strength & conditioning, and cognitive health. We support athletes through an omni-channel approach that incorporates physical locations, immersive digital experiences, and innovative functional products.
Show all 16 entries ↓
Investment activity
2012–2025 · 11 investments
20122201312015220161201822024220251
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