When Gulf Spore was named an Honoree in the Growth Accelerators category of the CO—100 Awards, it marked a major milestone for the veteran- and woman-owned business. Founded in 2013 by CEO Brandi Brown, the Mississippi-based company has grown from a small, science-focused operation into one of the nation’s most transparent and education-driven mushroom extract brands—redefining what trustworthy wellness looks like.
At its heart is a core mission that guides everything Gulf Spore does: “To educate, empower, and earn trust through science, transparency, and innovation,” Brown said.
A product built for potency, transparency, and real results
In a crowded market where gimmicks, fillers, and vague potency claims are far too common, Gulf Spore doesn’t follow trends. Instead, it relies on its product philosophy: use whole mushrooms, verify every claim, and show customers the proof.
Where many competitors rely on mycelium grown on grain—which can dilute product potency and limit its therapeutic benefits—Gulf Spore uses 100% whole fruiting bodies to ensure high levels of active compounds. Every batch they produce is third-party tested, with full lab reports provided directly to customers to quantify the medicinal compounds from the mushrooms.
“[We’re] one of the only mushroom supplement companies to provide third-party lab testing and public lab reports for every batch,” Brown told CO—.
Another key differentiator for Gulf Spore is its proprietary sound-wave extraction method. The company uses sound-wave energy, not harsh solvents, to produce highly bioavailable, clean extracts.
Unlike capsules or mushroom coffee blends, Gulf Spore’s liquid extracts offer fast absorption, flexible dosing, and a highly bioavailable experience. Bestselling varieties like Cordyceps, Reishi, and Lion’s Mane are selected for their clinically studied benefits, from energy and stress regulation to cognitive and sleep support. The result is a clean, potent, and science-backed product line positioned for both consumer trust and long-term scalability.
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We operate with a lean, iterative mindset, constantly refining what we do based on data, feedback, and our mission to serve health-conscious consumers with trust and transparency.Brandi Brown, Founder and CEO of Gulf Spore
Innovation that meets customers where they are
Many consumers are curious about medicinal mushrooms but are overwhelmed by misinformation. That’s why Gulf Spore has assembled a suite of tools and partnerships designed to educate, empower, and reduce barriers to entry.
A standout innovation is its AI-powered chatbot, which uses peer-reviewed research to help users find the mushroom extracts that best match their health goals.
“We launched a free AI-powered chatbot trained on peer-reviewed research to guide people toward the best mushroom supplement for their needs—in plain language they can understand,” Brown explained.
Beyond digital tools, the company has also expanded through a wholesale program, meeting customers where they already shop and trust: local health stores, clinics, wellness centers, and community markets.
Another significant milestone in its growth came through a collaboration with Function Health, a leader in data-driven wellness testing. A Function Health test gives deep insights into fatigue, stress, inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and other biomarkers, which allows Gulf Spore to deliver patient-specific mushroom supplement recommendations based on customers’ functional health test results.
“Our partnership with Function Health provides us with a unique window into emerging health trends, biomarker patterns, and what specific health goals our customers are trying to achieve,” said Brown.
The company’s focus on innovation was rewarded in 2024 with a Phase 1 grant from the National Science Foundation's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, America’s Seed Fund, to fund MyDip, a natural mushroom-based food preservative.
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A lean, data-driven approach to sustainable scaling
Part of Gulf Spore’s accelerated growth lies in its ability to adapt quickly—and intelligently. Despite being a micro-business with a very small team, the company maintains a nimble, small-batch production model that allows for rapid testing, quick iteration, and efficient scaling based on real-time insights.
Using tools like Klaviyo and Zapier to streamline communications, Gulf Spore can track consumer behavior across platforms and adjust messaging or offerings in real time. Customer service inquiries help shape new educational materials, FAQ updates, and future product development, while retail partners provide insight into customer preferences and market demand. Together, this feedback loop helps Gulf Spore refine its packaging, promotions, and product positioning as the market changes.
“We operate with a lean, iterative mindset, constantly refining what we do based on data, feedback, and our mission to serve health-conscious consumers with trust and transparency,” Brown said.
Building upon its existing success, Gulf Spore has also begun franchising its business model to empower beginners to start home-based or commercial mushroom businesses. As America’s first mushroom farming franchise, the company hopes to expand economic opportunity, agricultural resilience, and local food systems.
As a 2025 CO—100 Growth Accelerator Honoree, Gulf Spore represents the future of wellness entrepreneurship: a company propelled by science, integrity, and an understanding of consumer needs, rather than hype. Whether supporting athletes, busy parents, or individuals seeking relief from chronic conditions, the company’s mission remains the same—to make functional health accessible, honest, and genuinely effective.
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