Bringing Oca to Life 
From Renato Raposo, Founder of Oca

The inspiration to create Oca struck me after spending several years in the United States. I missed one of my favorite snacks from back home in Brazil: Paçoca, a simple, delicious peanut bite. Not only was it hard to find a freshly made version here in the U.S., but I also found that most Brazilian options were too sweet and packed with unfamiliar ingredients. I wanted a cleaner, preservative-free version with only the essentials—ingredients people know and trust.

After my father's passing in 2022, my connection to this snack deepened. My dad loved it, and I have so many memories of the two of us, chatting and polishing off entire containers of these bites together. They became part of my childhood, and now, I feel driven to share this beloved snack with the world in his memory.

With that, Oca was born. Originally called P-Nutz, we launched at farmers' markets around Austin, TX, to gather feedback and understand how our product could fit into people’s busy lives. The response was incredible, and our original recipe hardly changed. People were thrilled to have a convenient, healthy, and tasty snack that fits their lifestyle.

By June 2024, I was ready to go all in, leaving my corporate job in tech to pursue my dream full-time. That’s how Oca came to life.

The name "Oca" comes from traditional Indigenous Brazilian homes, especially those in the Amazon. As I rebranded, I wanted a name that reflected my heritage, the lush beauty of South America, and the healthy, grounded lifestyle our snacks promote. Oca captures all of that.

My hope is that one day, you’ll look back and remember shared moments, big or small, where Oca was part of the experience. Being an entrepreneur is challenging—being a foreign entrepreneur even more so—but I believe deeply in the power of community. So, join us! Be part of the Oca family. Spread the word about what we do and share our values and passion.

The road ahead will be exciting and challenging, but with your support, I know it will be meaningful.