Quantum Energy Square is a Venice, California-born food brand that makes plant-based energy bars engineered to replace the energy drink. Each square pairs 100mg of caffeine from organic green coffee with 10g of plant protein and balanced macronutrients from fruits, nuts and seeds, so the caffeine releases slowly for steady, no-crash energy. Founded by Daniel Medvene and Leah Marquez after 200-plus recipe iterations, the company sells direct-to-consumer and through Whole Foods, Sprouts, REI and Thrive Market, and is the official energy bar of IRONMAN and Rock 'n' Roll Marathon events.
Rarebird is a New York and San Leandro-based specialty coffee company that replaces caffeine with paraxanthine (Px), the natural metabolite your body turns caffeine into. Founded by bioengineer Dr. Jeffrey Dietrich, Rarebird uses a patented reverse-infusion process to load 60mg of Px into single-origin Colombian decaf beans, promising alertness and focus without the jitters, anxiety, cortisol spikes, or wrecked sleep. Backed by Y Combinator, AgFunder, First Round Capital and the National Science Foundation, Rarebird is trying to make Px 'the third coffee' - a category alongside regular and decaf.