Ali Partovi
Ali Partovi

Ali Partovi has abruptly resigned from Hampton Creek, roughly a week after he joined the San Francisco food alternatives company.

Earlier this month, GeekWire reported that Partovi joined the company as chief strategy officer, marking his first full-time gig in years after primarily serving as an angel investor and startup advisor.

The WSJ reported Partovi’s departure today, noting that it corresponds with the company’s efforts to raise a new round of venture capital.

When Partovi joined the company’s ranks earlier this month, it was presumably to make fundraising easier, but his swift departure will now likely raise questions about the company and hurt its prospects.

The company has the ambitious mission of using technology to produce affordable and healthy food on a mass scale, but is better known for coming up with wacky food products, like egg-less mayonnaise and cookie dough.

On the surface, the break-up appears amicable.

In a statement sent to GeekWire, CEO Joshua Tetrick said Partovi will remain as a friend, mentor and advisor.

“It just wasn’t a good fit for either side, but we love Ali, and he’s still a great friend and advisor. I think we both realize that we would all be more effective with him as an advisor given our current needs and opportunities as a young growing company,” he said.

Hampton Creek has raised $23M to create alternative plant-based food like Just Mayo.
Hampton Creek has raised $23M to create alternative plant-based food like Just Mayo.

In a brief e-mail, Partovi confirmed his departure to the WSJ. “We parted ways with mutual respect. The people at Hampton Creek are incredible, and we’ll continue to wish each other well.”

We’ve reached out to Partovi and will update the story if we hear back.

To date, Hampton Creek has raised $30 million. The WSJ said that it was in the middle of raising $50 million at a $200 million valuation, according to unnamed sources. Current investors in the company include several VC firms, as well Jerry Yang; Bill Gates via Khosla Ventures, and twin brothers Ali and Hadi Partovi.

In his role, Partovi had told GeekWire that he was planning on being deeply involved in marketing, including the company’s Facebook strategy, which has been responsible for boosting sales. He was also to serve as a close advisor to Tetrick as the company expands and hires more executives.

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