Signal trace · beverage (sparkling protein)

Lumen

Every press hit, ad, BSR data point, Instagram metric, and Claude thesis the pipeline used to score Lumen. Click any signal to inspect the source.

watchgo.lumen.me/fb ↗last scored 8/31/2026
← Pipeline

At a glance

Founded
2018
HQ
Santa Monica, CA
Total raised
$250K
Last round
Seed · Dec 2019
Founders
Yasir Hashim · Co-founder & CEO,Kris Taylor · Co-founder
Retailers
Sprouts
Instagram
—
TikTok
@@lumen

Rhymes with

OWYN (early days) crossed with David Protein

Dairy-free functional protein positioning with a clear/refreshing format play — similar white-space thesis to David's clean-protein bar but delivered in a sparkling RTD.

Jeff's verdict

Your vote biases future scoring. Hot = +8. Pass = -15.

Composite score
49/100
+5 vs prior run
Score label
Research
83% confidence
Signals captured
41
7 sources live
Scoring runs
3
since 8/24/2026

Rubric breakdown

Traction & velocity
11/25
Team pedigree
10/20
Authenticity / fit
6/20
Capital signal (pre-raise)
8/15
Category timing
11/12
Defensibility
3/8
Scoring rationale
WATCH — Lumen is a clear/sparkling protein beverage brand founded by Kris Taylor and Yasir Hashim (two medical-school-decliners) that has secured strong early tastemaker validation: winning the 2026 UNFI Pitch Slam (BevNET, 02/24/2026), landing a Taste Tomorrow Ventures investment (BevNET, 04/21/2026), and launching nationwide at Sprouts with an exclusive Cocolada SKU (BevNET, 07/07/2026). Total disclosed funding is only ~$250K seed per Tracxn, so Lumen sits squarely in Jeff's pre-Series A window, but consumer-pull signals are thin — TikTok handle @lumen has 43 followers and 0 videos, Instagram is unresolved, and Amazon/Reddit results are entirely other 'Lumen' entities (flashlights, Lumen Technologies, magnesium creams), so there is no independent DTC velocity to underwrite yet. Category timing is favorable (clear/functional protein is a rising white space vs. creamy shakes), but the brand needs a diligence pass on velocity at Sprouts and true social handles before leading.
Traction: 4 press · 30 ads · BSR Δ23% · TikTok 43 → 11/25
Authenticity: IG — · TT 43 · -4 Amazon reviews · 8 subreddits → 6/20
Capital: 0 funding press (penalty 3) · TM sweet-spot no · 30 ads → 8/15 (higher = pre-raise)
Category timing: beverage (sparkling protein) trend rising · brand trend rising → 11/12
Out of food+bev scope — will not surface on pipeline.

Score history

  • Aug 31, 03:09 AM49
    83% confidence · Research
  • Aug 24, 10:11 AM44
    83% confidence · Research
  • Aug 24, 03:11 AM49
    83% confidence · Research

Signal sources

Press signal

SerpAPI · Google News · 9

Ad activity

Foreplay · 15
  • Domain Featured Properties
    Just Sold! Renovate and Extend (stca) in a Coveted Position
    Real EstateReal Estate
    foreplay.ad · live_ad · 75% conf · 8/31/2026
  • 28 Day Lymphatic Reset Plan
    If your body doesn't feel like itself — this is why. Tense neck. Anxious mind. Exhausted body. Weight that won't shift. Waking at 3am. Snapping at people you love. This is stuck vagus nerve. ✅ Release neck and shoulder tension ✅ Calm anxie
    Sports & RecreationOther
    foreplay.ad · live_ad · 75% conf · 8/31/2026
  • memoryOS
    memoryOS combines gamified micro lessons with pre-made virtual mind palaces to improve your memory skills drastically. Proprietary technology and scientifically proven methods. Co-founded by 2X World Memory Champion Jonas von Essen.
    App pageApp/Software
    foreplay.ad · live_ad · 75% conf · 8/31/2026
  • Nom Originals
    Nom Originals
    Clothing (Brand)Fashion
    foreplay.ad · live_ad · 75% conf · 8/31/2026
  • Body & Bra
    Goodbye heavy breasts! Hello all-day comfort. ☁️ Finally, a bra specially designed for larger cup sizes. Supports without pain, wires, or red strap marks, even for DD+ cups. 😌 Don't miss out on our 50% Off offer, with limited stock avail
    Clothing (Brand)LingerieClothingFashion
    foreplay.ad · live_ad · 75% conf · 8/31/2026
  • DECJUBA
    DECJUBA
    Women's ClothingFashion
    foreplay.ad · live_ad · 75% conf · 8/24/2026
  • Lea Clothing Co
    Lea Clothing Co
    InterestEntertainment
    foreplay.ad · live_ad · 75% conf · 8/24/2026
  • Toyota Malaysia
    Toyota Malaysia
    CarsAutomotive
    foreplay.ad · live_ad · 75% conf · 8/24/2026
  • Plant Parent
    Plant Parent
    App pageApp/Software
    foreplay.ad · live_ad · 75% conf · 8/24/2026
  • Lainly
    Your faith deserves better than jewelry that gives up after a few weeks. 🙏
    Jewelry/watchesJewelry/Watches
    foreplay.ad · live_ad · 75% conf · 8/24/2026
  • Christian Bischoff
    Die Manifestation Days 2026: LIVE mit Christian Bischoff Du manifestierst jeden Tag. Nur meistens das, was Du gar nicht willst. An 3 kostenfreien Live-Abenden findest Du Deine drei stärksten Glaubenssätze, formst daraus neue Überzeugungen
    Public figureEntertainment
    foreplay.ad · live_ad · 75% conf · 8/24/2026
  • Trybello
    Please STOP trying to regrow your hair. I know that sounds crazy, but I’m a board certified dermatologist and most products just make your hair loss worse!! I finally found a product that actually works for menopausal hair loss and blocks
    BrandFashion
    foreplay.ad · live_ad · 75% conf · 8/24/2026

Amazon traction

Keepa · Jungle Scout · 3

Instagram

Apify · 0

No instagram signals captured.

TikTok

Apify · 3
  • @lumen: 43 followers · 3 hearts · 0 videos
    @lumen · 43 followers · 3 hearts
    apify.tiktok · tiktok_followers · 80% conf · 8/31/2026
  • @lumen: 43 followers · 3 hearts · 0 videos
    @lumen · 43 followers · 3 hearts
    apify.tiktok · tiktok_followers · 80% conf · 8/24/2026
  • @lumen: 43 followers · 3 hearts · 0 videos
    @lumen · 43 followers · 3 hearts
    apify.tiktok · tiktok_followers · 80% conf · 8/24/2026

USPTO trademarks

USPTO TSDR · 0

No uspto trademarks signals captured.

Reddit organic

SerpAPI · reddit.com · 3

Google Trends

SerpAPI · google_trends · 5
  • Category trend "beverage (sparkling protein)" — rising, avg90d 16
    ↗ slope rising · avg90d 16 · peak 100
    serpapi.trends · google_trends_category · 65% conf · 8/31/2026
  • Google Trends for "Lumen" — rising, avg90d 55, peak 100
    ↗ slope rising · avg90d 55 · peak 100
    serpapi.trends · google_trends_brand · 70% conf · 8/31/2026
  • Google Trends for "Lumen" — rising, avg90d 62, peak 100
    ↗ slope rising · avg90d 62 · peak 100
    serpapi.trends · google_trends_brand · 70% conf · 8/24/2026
  • Category trend "beverage (sparkling protein)" — rising, avg90d 37
    ↗ slope rising · avg90d 37 · peak 100
    serpapi.trends · google_trends_category · 65% conf · 8/24/2026
  • Google Trends for "Lumen" — rising, avg90d 58, peak 100
    ↗ slope rising · avg90d 58 · peak 100
    serpapi.trends · google_trends_brand · 70% conf · 8/24/2026

AI thesis

Claude Opus 4.7 · 3
  • WATCH — Lumen is a clear/sparkling protein beverage brand founded by Kris Taylor and Yasir Hashim (two medical-school-decliners) that has secured strong early tastemaker validation: winning the 2026 UNFI Pitch Slam (BevNET, 02/24/2026), landing a Taste Tomorrow Ventures investment (BevNET, 04/21/2026), and launching nationwide at Sprouts with an exclusive Cocolada SKU (BevNET, 07/07/2026). Total disclosed funding is only ~$250K seed per Tracxn, so Lumen sits squarely in Jeff's pre-Series A windo
    verdict WATCH
    claude.synthesis · thesis · 80% conf · 8/31/2026
  • DILIGENCE — Lumen is an in-scope clear/sparkling protein beverage with real early retail traction: nationwide Sprouts launch announced 7/7/2026 with an exclusive Cocolada SKU, a 2026 UNFI Pitch Slam win (BevNET, 2/24/2026), and a fresh Taste Tomorrow Ventures check (the LA Libations-backed $30M fund, per Drew Fallon 4/21/2026) alongside Rainforest, L.A. Distributing, and KeHe distribution. Google Trends for the brand is rising (90d avg 62, peak 100) and Foreplay shows 30 live ads, suggesting a p
    verdict DILIGENCE
    claude.synthesis · thesis · 80% conf · 8/24/2026
  • WATCH — Lumen is a clear sparkling protein beverage co-founded by Kris Taylor and Yasir Hashim that just won the 2026 UNFI Pitch Slam (BevNET, 02/24/2026) and launched nationwide at Sprouts with an exclusive Cocolada flavor (BevNET, 07/07/2026). Category timing is strong (clear/functional protein is a rising white-space against Fairlife/Muscle Milk), and Foreplay shows 30 live ads indicating real paid-media investment. However, Tavily surfaces a $30M investment from Taste Tomorrow Ventures (LA L
    verdict WATCH
    claude.synthesis · thesis · 80% conf · 8/24/2026
●Reading live from Supabase deal_flow · brand_id lumen · 41 signals on file.