PORTLAND, ORE. — Better-for-you treat brand Honey Mama’s raised $4.5 million in a Series A funding round led by Amberstone Ventures.

The funding round was Honey Mama’s first institutional investment and will help the Portland-based startup expand its resources and drive incremental growth, founder Christy Goldsby said.

Ms. Goldsby launched the company in 2012 with a line of refrigerated cocoa truffle treats. Flavors include lavender rose, tahini tangerine and spicy dark.

The treats are made with five ingredients: Raw honey, dark cocoa powder, unrefined coconut oil, Himalayan pink salt and either sprouted almonds, shredded coconut or sesame seeds. 

“Honey Mama’s is incredibly grateful to Amberstone Ventures, whose investment will fast track our goal to become part of the mainstream consideration set when choosing a confectionery,” Ms. Goldsby said. “Through our category-defining bars, we’re on a mission to empower consumers and change the narrative around sweet snacks and indulgence.”

Amberstone Ventures is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm specializing in early-stage food and consumer product companies. Its investment portfolio includes Daily Harvest, Chameleon Cold-Brew and Nature’s Nutpods, among others.

“We could not be more excited about the opportunity to join the Honey Mama’s family as they continue to build an absolutely delicious brand within the better-for-you confectionery category,” said Alexander Bernstein, managing partner at Amberstone Ventures. “We fell in love with the product immediately, and we have extraordinarily high hopes for the brand, which resonates with consumers who are looking for the indulgence of chocolate, without sacrificing their cleaner, nutritional lifestyle goals and objectives.”