Exec Edge hosted a fireside chat at the ICR Conference 2025 with Ron Belldegrun, the CEO and co-founder of ByHeart. During the in-person interview, Belldegrun discussed the origins of the company, the importance of infant nutrition, ByHeart’s future growth, and more. The conversation was moderated by Editor-in-Chief John Jannarone.
About Ron Belldegrun
Ron Belldegrun is the CEO and co-founder of ByHeart, a cutting-edge baby nutrition company focused on improving infant nutrition. ByHeart aims to innovate and enhance baby nutrition with a commitment to high-quality products and ingredient transparency. The company prioritizes immune, cognitive, digestive, and microbiome health in its offerings.
In March 2022, ByHeart launched its first formula—a next-generation, easy-to-digest recipe made with clean ingredients. The formula was the first new U.S. infant formula to be registered with the FDA in over 15 years, and it included a clinical trial to prove its benefits for babies. ByHeart is the only new U.S. formula brand to own both manufacturing and research/development facilities, allowing direct oversight of ingredient sourcing.
Today, ByHeart ranks among the top 5 products across various retail channels, including Target (#2 in Mass), Publix (#2 in Grocer), Thrive Market (#1 in Naturals), and Amazon (top 5). The company’s recent expansions to Walmart, Whole Foods, Wegmans, Meijer, and Amazon have brought ByHeart products to more than 5,000 stores, achieving 70% distribution.
Background on Ron Belldegrun
With over a decade of experience in healthcare and infant formula investing, Ron Belldegrun plays a key role in ByHeart’s innovation. Before founding Consumer Health Ventures (CHV), an investment firm focused on businesses that improve lives, Ron spent eight years at Visium Asset Management. At Visium, he managed a $1 billion portfolio of pharmaceutical and consumer health investments.
In addition to his work at ByHeart, Ron serves on several boards, including the Vagelos Lifescience and Management Program (LSM) at the University of Pennsylvania / Wharton and the Clean Label Project Baby Coalition. He is also involved with Team PA’s Board of Directors and co-founded the LSM Educational Pipeline Program at the University of Pennsylvania. This initiative connects underserved high school students from West Philadelphia with mentors in life sciences to help develop the next generation of leaders in the field. Ron is also a member of the Steering Committee of the International Milk Genomics Consortium.
Ron holds a degree in Biological Basis of Behavior from the University of Pennsylvania, where he also minored in Healthcare Management at Wharton. He currently lives in New York City with his wife, Karrie, their daughter Zoa, and their son Avner.
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