As it prepares for the mass market launch of its GoodBelly brand probiotic fruit drink, which contains the patented probiotic Lp299v, Next­Foods, Boulder, CO, now has significant fi­nancial backing with a $16 million investment led by venture capital firm Maveron LLC, Seattle, WA. The deal is expected to enable NextFoods to launch consumer marketing programs designed to build awareness and drive increased sales and distribution. Various investors, highly experienced in the natural products industry, also participated in this transaction.