In This Issue:
- Food Venture Financing Trends
- CPG Corporate Venture and Private Equity Funds
Food Venture Financing Trends
- St. Louis-based agtech firm Saluna raised $1.5 million to advance hemp crop development.
- French foodtech company Fungu'it raised $4.6 million to transform agricultural by-products into natural flavorings.
- Plan(e)t Foods, a plant-based ice cream company from Greece, raised €1.05 million to expand their business into other European countries.
- Slovenian startup Juicy Marbles teamed up with Austrian startup Revo Foods to launch a mycoprotein-based fish fillet called "Kinda Cod," with the goal of making plant-based whole cuts accessible to a broader audience.
CPG Corporate Venture and Private Equity Fund
This week's featured corporate venture and private equity fund is AF Ventures ("AF").
- AF is a consumer fund investing in emerging growth-stage businesses that focus on health-oriented consumer brands in the food & beverage, health & wellness, beauty, personal care, household, and pet sectors.
- Across industry sectors, AF prioritizes disruptive products and works with founders who have a clear understanding of their target market.
- Some of AF's current portfolio companies and past successes include:
- Siete, a Mexican American food brand acquired by Pepsi.
- Jinx, a company creating all-natural, high-quality dog food and treats.
- Clio, the company behind the first-ever refrigerated Greek yogurt bar.
- Cirkul, a water bottle and flavor cartridge company that aims to make drinking water more convenient, delicious, and fun.
- Yumi, a company creating nutrition-first meals and snacks for babies and toddlers.
[View source.]
