We are a venture studio building lasting food and lifestyle brands.
Co-creating from idea to stand-alone venture.
SERVICES
How we build
01
Ideation
Research market & opportunities
Concept ideation
Innovation lab research
02
Discovery
Concept definition
- Brand strategy
- Visual identity
- Packaging / product design
Prototype Building
03
Validation
Concept refinement
- Communication / PR
- Go to market
- Experience design
MVP testing
04
Venture
Venture set up
- Funding
- Team building
05
Scale
Commercialisation support
Scale production set up
ABOUT
The founders
ZHAR, an entrepreneur office and venture studio, was founded by Abouzar and Julia Rahmani to grow forward-thinking businesses.
Abouzar is a serial entrepreneur with 20+ years track record in the consumer food industry, who comes from a family with over 140 years heritage in agro-food.
Julia is a graduate from the London School of Economics, with family business background in the printing sector and more than half a decade of experience in sustainability in the CPG industry.
As a 4th generation family business member, Funda Dilmaghanian has worked alongside Abouzar for almost two decades in operations and business development.
APPROACH
How we work
Welcome to an approach that focuses on developing harmony between society, business and the environment for the long-term. At ZHAR, we take a forward-thinking and hands-on approach , looking to find new ways to tackle old problems, to build value-add businesses and brands for the future.
PORTFOLIO
Our ventures
FoodYoung is a full-stack innovation company offering a one-stop shop solution for food innovation. In its state-of-the-art facility in Balerna, Switzerland, FoodYoung can provide product development, pilot-testing, small batch and large scale production, as well as brand and venture development, all under one roof.
CimaNorma, founded in 1903 in the scenic Blenio Valley, is a heritage Swiss chocolate brand rooted in tradition. The brand is now reviving this legacy through an ambitious project that involves converting the original Swiss Alps factory into a luxurious 5-star resort while relaunching its chocolates using authentic recipes and packaging. CimaNorma’s chocolate collection is currently available online and in select Swiss shops as it enters a new era.
Mani’s natural dried fruit, nut, and seed mixes are crafted to promote wellness and balance through convenient, nutritious, and delicious choices for healthy snacking on the go. With a rich Persian heritage dating back to 1877, Mani products carry forward a legacy of quality and authenticity. Today, Mani is available in 6+ countries internationally, bringing its time-honored expertise to modern, health-conscious consumers.
ZAZ offers fun and delicious plant-based chocolate snacks that satisfy sweet cravings while supporting health, animal welfare, and the planet. The brand currently offers a range of chocolate bars and unique chocolate-dipped popcorn with nuts, known as Chocopops, available to consumers in Switzerland and the US. With plans to expand further across the US, ZAZ is bringing mindful indulgence to a growing audience.
Bonnap offers granolas and breakfast products free from added sugars, inflammatory oils, and any unwanted additives, focusing on clean, nutritious ingredients. Already available in Switzerland through Coop and Manor, Bonnap is set to expand into the US market with an extended product line that includes wholesome spreads.
Website coming soon.
Pulse Protein offers plant-based protein squares crafted for active lifestyles, using only the purest sources of protein from sustainable grains, pulses, and nuts. These refrigerated squares are entirely free from refined sugar, additives, and artificial binders. Available in Almond and Pistachio flavors, they provide clean, powerful nutrition with nothing unnecessary added. Currently exclusive to Bridge, Pulse Protein will soon bring these nutrient-dense squares to the US market.