In a surprising turn of events, the CEOs of Air Venture Partners have decided to withdraw their capital from Cleverblends.

This decision comes after the recent ad featuring Meghan Markle caused a significant drop in sales, reaching a staggering 45% decline.

The CEOs now claim that Meghan Markle is only capable of becoming an influencer, as her attempts to establish herself as a successful Hollywood producer have failed.

Previously, it was reported that Meghan and Harry were hoping to rebrand themselves in 2024.

However, an article revealed that Meghan’s talent agency is facing difficulties in finding opportunities for her.

Brands seem to be hesitant to associate themselves with the royal family, fearing potential damage to their relationships.

This struggle to rehabilitate their public image has led Meghan to explore other avenues, such as appearing in an Instagram video for latte brand Cleverblends.

It appears that Meghan sees this as a strategic move to gain attention and recognition for a company she has invested in.

However, the question remains: will this translate into increased sales?

Only time will tell.

A source close to an insider shed some light on Meghan’s motivation for doing the ad.

It turns out that Meghan is a stakeholder in Cleverblends, which has recently started stocking its products at Target stores in the United States.

The availability of Clever Coffee at Target is expected to boost the brand’s sales.

Nevertheless, it is unlikely that Meghan’s appearance in the ad is the sole reason for the anticipated increase in sales.

Advertisers are well aware of the complexities of consumer behavior and are unlikely to be swayed solely by celebrity endorsements.

Additionally, the pricing strategy seems to be a point of concern.

While the cost at Target will be around $18, most pouches on the company’s website are priced at $28.

This raises questions about the pricing strategy and the potential impact on Target shoppers.

It is worth noting that Target often introduces new brands to select stores before making a broader commitment.

Cleverblends’ inclusion in Target stores is a significant achievement for the company, as becoming a Target vendor is notoriously challenging.

However, the source revealed that the decision to sell below cost at Target was driven by the significant setback Clever Coffee faced after Meghan’s public appearance.

The 45% decline in revenue prompted the CEOs of Air Venture Partners to withdraw their investment from the company.

This incident highlights the risks associated with doing business with high-profile figures like Meghan and Harry.

Major brands are cautious about potential controversies and negative publicity that may arise from such partnerships.

For small businesses like Clever Coffee, the consequences can be devastating.

The listed investors for Cleverblends include Selva Ventures, a venture capitalist firm with a minority stake, and Kieva Dickinson, a co-founder who sits on the board.

Meghan Markle herself is also an angel investor with a minority stake.

However, the withdrawal of investment by Air Venture Partners, a venture capital firm led by Ali Gouvi and Ryan Renker, has dealt a significant blow to Cleverblends.

Meghan’s decision to associate herself with a product sold at Target, rather than luxury retailers like Saks or Nordstrom, has raised eyebrows.