Hawaii-Born Holey Grail Donuts Raises $9 Million to Open Its First Los Angeles Locations

Born in Hawaii Holey Grail Donutsknown for its sustainably sourced taro fritters, has raised $9 million in funding to date, including a recent Series A. This funding round will help support the brand’s expansion across the continent as it makes its Los Angeles debut this year.

Holey Grail Donuts started out as a “Sunday ritual” serving hand-fried taro donuts from a small red burger trailer in Kauai. This ritual quickly developed a cult following that led to hour-long waits, live DJs and people queuing at 6:30 to taste.

Passionate about sustainable agriculture and culinary innovation, brothers Nile and Hana Dreiling have developed a donut that captures the essence of their surroundings on Kauai, catching the attention of the local community and travelers alike. To this day, the same red burger trailer remains a symbol of the heady movement created in 2018. The movement continues to grow with an uncompromising philosophy honoring the original product and experience.

Holey Grail Donuts is a culinary crusade celebrating community in a made-to-order taro donut experience. The company is focused on building a sustainable indulgence movement by incorporating local agriculture, using real ingredients, and considering the ecological impact of all decisions. By smashing donuts together and sharing the bounty, Holey Grail Donuts provides a gathering place that celebrates community connection. Founded with a deep commitment to people, the company aims to celebrate artists, support local producers and participate in the enrichment of the community. The Holey Grail Donuts team seeks to grow this movement internationally with a strict no-compromise philosophy when it comes to original product, sourcing and experience.

The company currently operates stores in Hanalei and Honolulu, in addition to a popular food truck in Waikiki. In 2022, Holey Grail Donuts makes its continental debut by opening two locations in Los Angeles (Santa Monica and Larchmont), in addition to a traveling food truck based in The Platform (Culver City). Breaking Bread flavor collaborations with notable chefs and personalities will enliven the company’s California debut, bringing people together to create masterful flavors and conversations.

Holey Grail Donuts Series A was co-edited by Collaborative Fund’s Craig Shapiro and Lee Fixel. The company’s round was led by Tony Conrad of True Ventures, which backed consumer food brands sweetgreen, Blue Bottle Coffee, and more. Other investors include Tony Hawk, James Freeman (Blue Bottle), Ligaya Tichy (Yelp, Airbnb) Christopher Kostow (Michelin Star Chef), Hass Hassan (Whole Foods), Stephan Jenkins (Third Eye Blind), Yves Behar (Designer, Fuseproject), and Matt Mullenweg (WordPress) among others. Additionally, Holey Grail Donuts is advised by a diverse board of directors with deep industry knowledge and expertise, including Conrad of True Ventures (who is also an angel investor in beloved restaurants like Flour + Water and Saltwater Oyster Depot), Amy Errett (founder and CEO of beauty brand Madison Reed), Jon Gray (CEO and co-founder of Bronx-based food collective Ghetto Gastro), Bryan Meehan (executive chairman of Blue Bottle Coffee) Craig Shapiro ( founder and managing partner of Collaborative Fund) and Saki Igawa (former brand manager at Blue Bottle Coffee).

“There’s an exciting excitement around Holey Grail Donuts that reminds us of some of the other prolific food and beverage brands of our time,” said Conrad, partner at True Ventures. “At the same time, Holey Grail Donuts is humbly unique in its approach to food and its commitment to sustainable, plant-based ingredients while intensely focusing on what matters most to customers: taste. Nile and Hana create something really special.

Holey Grail’s sustainable taro donuts:

Holey Grail Donuts are made with taro – the ancient superfood revered for its nutritional, medicinal and ecological benefits – and are fried in organic, fair trade coconut oil. Flavors are constantly changing (60 and counting!) with a spotlight on the best Hawaiian-grown ingredients. Local favorites include options such as: LL (sugar infused with lemon zest, lime curd, lime caviar and begonia petals); I salute you marie (cardamom and rose petals); the north coast (Kauai-grown turmeric, tangelo, and freshly cracked black pepper); and Lydgate Farms (vanilla pod, original cocoa nibs, cherry). Sourcing is a top priority for the team at Holey Grail Donuts, and while they’re always committed to featuring Hawaiian ingredients, they don’t compromise sourcing ethics as they grow. The team is setting up a new supply chain for its California expansion, which includes local farmers to source produce, in addition to maintaining relationships with Hawaiian producers of taro, coconut oil and cocoa.

For more information, visit HoleyGrailDonuts.com. Follow Holey Grail on Instagram @holeygraildonuts.