// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did David Protein say? "I'm bonding with you.
| Product type | Protein bar |
|---|---|
| Owner | Medici Brands (formerly Linus Technology, Inc.) |
| Country | United States |
| Introduced | September 2024 |
| Markets | United States, Canada |
| Website | davidprotein |
David, often referred to as David Protein, is an American brand of high-protein food products based in New York City. Founded in 2024 by Peter Rahal, the co-founder of Rxbar, and Zach Ranen, the brand launched its first product—a protein bar containing 28 grams of protein and 150 calories—in September 2024. The brand is named after Michelangelo's marble statue of David.[1]
David's formulations depend on esterified propoxylated glycerol (EPG), a fat substitute that the parent company Medici Brands acquired exclusive control of in 2025 through the purchase of its sole manufacturer, Epogee.
History
[edit]After selling RXBAR to the Kellogg Company for $600 million in 2017.[2], Rahal began developing a new bar in October 2022 spending roughly a year on the formulation with co-founder Zach Ranen, the founder of the online bakery Raize.[2][3]
On May 29, 2025, David announced a $75 million Series A round at a reported valuation of $725 million. At the time, the brand had expanded to more than 3,000 retail locations.[4]
David launched a high-protein frozen dessert in pint cartons in June 2026. Each pint contains 30 grams of protein, 210 to 260 calories, and less than 2 grams of sugar. Because the product does not meet the USDA minimum milkfat requirement for ice cream, it is labeled as a frozen dessert rather than ice cream.[1] The dessert is created from a set of ultra-processed ingredients such as whey protein isolate and modified plant fat.[5]
A lawsuit accused David Protein of underreporting calories and fat in its popular protein bars. The plaintiffs later dropped the case in March 2026 after the company defended its labeling.
The company's parent, Medici Brands, raised $250 million at valuation of $2.25 billion in 2026. Medici also comprises HallPass, Epogee, and Rowdy.[6]
References
[edit]- 1 2 Conrad, Jennifer (June 5, 2026). "Inside David Protein's Playful and Provocative Billion-Dollar Playbook". Inc. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
- 1 2 Melvin, Simone (December 6, 2024). "This Protein Bar Cofounder Sold His Company For $600 Million. Now He Wants Another Bite Of The Market". Forbes. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
- ↑ Just, Brooke (September 3, 2024). "RXBAR founder making waves in the protein bar space". Food Business News. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
- ↑ Liberatore, Josh (May 29, 2025). "David Raises $75M for High-Protein Bars, Eyes Retail Expansion". Athletech News. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
- ↑ "It's Low-Calorie and Packed With Protein. Is It Healthy?". The Atlantic. August 2026. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
- ↑ Nichole, Amaya (2 September 2026). "The Company Behind David Protein Just Reached a $2.25 Billion Valuation. Now It's Betting on Chips". Inc. Retrieved 13 September 2026.