Last month, I had the pleasure of visiting portfolio company Love Corn, meeting the team at their operations in New Jersey and spending time in New York City. It was a fantastic opportunity to see first-hand how the business is building from its UK roots and scaling across the US, and to dive into the kind of strategic conversations that sit at the heart of our approach at Puma Growth Partners.

At Puma, we don’t just write cheques - we’re closely involved and work collaboratively with management teams to help unlock the next phase of growth. That ethos was front and centre throughout the visit. I spent the first day with the team exploring different retail environments - from Whole Foods and Target to ShopRite, and even going behind the scenes at a Costco depot. It was a chance to understand not only Love Corn’s current positioning, but also the scale of the opportunity ahead. From store walkthroughs to deep-dive strategy sessions, we were immersed in the nuts and bolts of what’s driving the brand’s phenomenal momentum.

Love Corn’s growth trajectory is nothing short of impressive. It’s fast becoming a household name across the UK and US, gaining real traction in major national retailers and e-commerce channels. What’s clear is that the product resonates - it’s simple, tasty, and healthy - but it’s the execution behind the scenes that’s really powering the expansion.

I spent time with the leadership team discussing everything from route-to-market strategy and supply chain optimisation, to brand positioning and building a high-performing team. These are the kinds of conversations that define Puma’s model: collaborative, data-driven, and always focused on long-term value creation. It’s about being a true partner - not just at the board table, but in the day-to-day decisions that shape growth.

It was also great to spend time with the team in a more informal setting over dinner and drinks in New York City, helping to further cement our relationship. Having not been to New York for many years, I couldn’t help but be struck by the buzz and energy of the city. And yes - I did manage to squeeze in the mandatory pastrami on rye at Katz’s Deli, which lived up to every expectation and was well worth queuing around the block for.

It’s incredibly energising to see a business we’ve backed not just growing, but thriving in new markets. Love Corn is a brilliant example of what happens when strong product-market fit meets operational excellence and strategic capital.

We’re proud to be part of their journey - and committed to helping them scale with purpose and precision.