| Tell us about your company: |
| Laurelate is a California-grown chocolate alternative made from the native bay laurel tree—an abundant, climate-resilient species that has nourished Indigenous communities for generations. We transform California bay nuts into a rich, aromatic chocolate-like food that requires no cacao and supports local ecosystems. Our mission is to restore native forests through delicious food. By harvesting, processing, and celebrating an overlooked native ingredient, Laurelate creates a new supply chain rooted in regeneration, biodiversity, and cultural respect. Each bar directly supports agroforestry efforts, wildfire-resilient landscapes, and land partnerships across the state |
| What inspired you to start your business? |
| I started Laurelate to revive a forgotten California native food—bay laurel nuts—and transform them into a climate-resilient chocolate alternative. I wanted to honor local ecology, support regenerative agroforestry, and create delicious foods that deepen people’s connection to the land around them.! |
| What are your proudest achievements so far? |
| I’m proud of creating a new category of chocolate made entirely from a native Californian tree, placing Laurelate products in beloved Bay Area stores, and building early partnerships with landowners, Indigenous collaborators, and scientists. I’m also proud that our work is helping restore native forests, support biodiversity, and spark curiosity about California’s food heritage. |
| What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs: |
| Entrepreneurship is full of uncertainty, but when you build from joy, the work itself sustains you. Let curiosity lead, let delight guide your decisions, and trust that what lights you up is pointing toward the path only you can create. |
| Please share a memory or thought about your alma mater: |
| UC Berkeley shaped the way I see systems—both ecological and human. It taught me to question assumptions, look for patterns in complexity, and imagine better futures. Strawberry Creek and the campus oaks also inspired much of my love for California’s native ecosystems. |
Alumni Emporium 