Alt-protein companies scaling their fermentation processes beyond the lab face numerous challenges that require them to think through production processes, raw ingredients, and the design of a manufacturing facility to create a commercially viable product....
Laoban Dumplings pays homage to traditional Chinese flavors and ingredients that combine convenience, quality and flavor in its line of homemade-style frozen dumplings and an upcoming launch of bao buns explained Patrick Coyne, the company’s co-founder...
Mondelēz International wants to team with early-stage startups through its CoLab Tech program to develop “groundbreaking” technology that can accelerate its Vision 2030 Growth strategy and meet consumer demand for personalized nutrition and products that...
Despite declining sales and investment in the alternative protein industry in recent years, the segment is seeing early green shoots that suggest category stakeholders may be clawing their way out of the trough of disillusionment and up the other side...
Private-equity firm Forward Consumer Partners acquired artisan baker, Firehook Bakery, marking the first acquisition of the company’s $425m initial fund, the firm’s founder and managing partner, Matt Leeds, told FoodNavigator-USA.
Nourish Ingredients, a pioneer in the emerging ‘animal-free’ speciality fat segment, is expanding into non-dairy with the debut of Creamilux – a low-inclusion lipid that recreates the rich, creamy mouthfeel, taste and emulsification properties of dairy...
With an infusion of $52m in Series B funding closed last month, Serenity Kids will drive growth and innovation to provide diverse, nutritious baby food inspired by global cuisine.
Meaningful innovation in the consumer packaged goods industry has ground nearly to a halt post-pandemic for all but an “elite 20%” of companies, according to the Boston Consulting Group’s latest Build for the Future Survey, which analyzes insights from...
Sweet and salty better-for-you almond mix brand SkinnyDipped featured its latest snack flavors, upcoming nut butter line and brand redesign at Natural Products Expo West last month.
A $68m investment in plant-based snack company ALOHA by growth equity firm SEMCAP Food & Nutrition buys out early angel investors and will “help ALOHA’s able-bodied management accelerate its distribution and growth in traditional retail channels,”...
CPG startups that have adjusted to a new reality of lower funding and focusing on profitability might have reason to be optimistic about the future of raising money, as two venture-capital investors told FoodNavigator-USA in separate interviews during...
Pro- and prebiotic sparkling drink brand wildwonder released a Raspberry Lychee flavor and is preparing to seek out additional funding to help grow the retail footprint of the Asian heritage-inspired beverage, company founder and CEO Rosa Li told FoodNavigator-USA.
CPG founders from natural brands Wildway, Mother Kombucha, and Lil Bucks shared their strategies for securing funding in a tighter capital market during a recent Naturally Chicago webinar.
As the plant-based seafood segment continues to evolve, ingredient innovation paves the way towards consumer acceptance, shown through notable VC investments in the sector.
Serial entrepreneur Craig Dubitsky has partnered with award-winning actor Robert Downey Jr. to launch happy, a coffee brand leveraging a modern design and a mission to improve mental health to distinguish it from the competition.
CPG brands increasingly rely on AI technologies to crunch large data stores and find insight to win in the market, but many are falling short of their digital transformation goals due to outdated technology, Capri Brixey, EVP, strategy consulting at Insite...
After seven consecutive quarters of revenue declines, Beyond Meat executives say they hope to turn the corner in 2024 with new product innovations, SKU rationalization, and price increases, but the company's fourth quarter and full-year results show...
Vertical farm Oishii, known for its premium strawberries and more recently a high-end tomato, is building out a larger, more sustainable facility that will increase its production capacity by “multiple folds” with the help of a $134m Series B fundraise...
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is suing grocery giant Kroger over its acquisition of rival Albertsons for alleged anticompetitive concerns that could adversely impact consumers.
Fragrance and ingredient giant IFF could divest segments of its business as part of a larger strategy to rightsize the company after failing to capitalize on a merger with Dupont Nutrition and Biosciences that sent its stock price tumbling, new CEO J....
Private equity firm Bluestein Ventures has raised $45m for its third fund to invest in companies focused on nutrition, sustainability, and digitization, the firm’s co-managing partners Andrew Bluestein and Ashley Hartman told FoodNavigator-USA.
From understanding when to exit to securing favorable agreements with co-manufacturers, food and beverage startups are facing a myriad of business challenges that are likely to persist throughout 2024 as private-equity capital continues to dry up, Christopher...
Fruit snack brand RIND acquired Vermont-based granola manufacturer Small Batch Organics for an undisclosed sum as part of an initiative to shore up its supply chain and expand into the private label business, Matt Weiss, co-founder and CEO, told FoodNavigator-USA.
Functional mushroom brand Odyssey Elixir raised $6m, which will help it keep up with inventory and expand its distribution, including in c-stores, company founder and CEO Scott Frohman told FoodNavigator-USA.
Private-label is shaking off its fast-follower status as partnerships between manufacturers and brands become stronger, allowing for quicker innovation that responds to consumers' demand for endurable and functional products, Andreas Schneider, co-founder...
Subscription meal company, Thistle, held off on investing in its brand identity since it launched a decade ago to prioritize ingredient procurement and recipe development for its weekly plant-based menus that “don’t sacrifice on taste,” Ashwin Cheriyan,...
Alt-protein companies that heavily relied on venture capital (VC) funding are now taking a more holistic approach, including leveraging more non-dilutive financing options, to build their business in 2024, a panel of investors shared during a recent webinar...
Alternative coffee brand Blume’s founder and CEO, Karen Danudjaja, started the adaptogenic latte blend brand in 2017 when she was looking not only for a delicious and functional coffee alternative, but an alternative ritual to coffee, she explained to...
With climate change exacerbating water stress and scarcity, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners is backing new tech solutions to help future-proof the beverage industry.
Food-tech startup Voyage Foods’ clean-label cocoa-free chocolate offers manufacturers a one-to-one replacement for traditional chocolate that it says doesn’t compromise taste or texture but, according to a new life cycle analysis, bypasses many of the...
Seattle-based coffee startup Atomo Coffee is a couple of months away from launching its new manufacturing facility to scale production of its espresso, created with upcycled ingredients and no coffee beans, as the company double downs on its ambition...
Global snack maker Mars expands its snack production with the purchase of a new $237m baking facility for Nature’s Bakery in Salt Lake City, Utah, and a Chicago-based Global Research and Development Hub that will focus on chocolate and nuts testing and...
Japanese candy brand HI-CHEW launched a direct-to-consumer (DTC) website as part of a broader strategy to appeal to Gen Z consumers, Joanne Hsu, senior brand marketing manager at Morinaga America, told FoodNavigator-USA.
Ingredient supplier Fiber Foods is taking its dried jack fruit ingredient to a more global audience with the help of recent funding from venture capital firm PeakBridge, as hybrid plant-based and animal-based meat products gain traction, company co-founder...
Sustained government support and transparent scientific research, such as USDA’s landmark grant to Tufts University’s National Institute for Cellular Agriculture program, can energize cellular agriculture R&D and renew attention from the private sector,...
Food-tech investment is staging a comeback in 2024 as investors focus on sustainability, including plant-based meat technologies and companies, Nadav Berger, founder of venture capital (VC) firm PeakBridge, shared during the first part in a two-part video...
Southern-inspired stew and flavor-base company Chilau Foods launched Wefunder crowdfunding campaign to fuel its retail expansion, as the company leverages packaging innovation to create a more accessible product, company founder Michael Anderson told...
Ecovative Design will expand its AirMycelium technology to “introduce new, high-value mycelium crops to the mushroom farming industry and accelerating the growth of the mycelium materials sector,” including animal-free meats, with help from mushroom production...
Nearly doubling its size since 2019, the Austin-based venture capital firm secures its new funding round with backing from returning limited partners, family offices, entrepreneurs, and athletes.
Biotech startup, Clever Carnivore, closed $7m of seed round funding to expand production of its low-cost cultivated pork sausage with plans to launch its prototype, the Clever Bratwurst in early 2024 without asking the consumer to pay more, Virginia Rangos,...
While Plenty will continue growing leafy greens in its 100,000 square foot Compton, Calif., facility to retailers like Walmart, the indoor vertical farm heads for the East coast to Richmond, Va., where it will use Driscoll’s genetic know-how to grow flavorful...
With $3M in seed funding from Astanor Ventures, Heali plans to expand its personalized nutrition services for consumers and patients with chronic illnesses through its database of evidence-based nutrition research, while developing a larger presence with...
Food processing distributor, Nelson-Jameson, partners with Vaess and Lallemand Specialty Cultures (LSC) in response to growing customer demand for plant-based and hybrid products.
The recent partnership between Alaska Airlines and Stumptown Coffee features a custom coffee blend brewed specifically for high altitudes and highlights the airlines’ collaboration with West Coast-based food and beverage brands.
![[Video] Investors ‘wake up’ to reality of food-tech investments, turn attention to sustainability](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/food-beverage-nutrition/foodnavigator-usa.com/article/2024/01/15/video-investors-wake-up-to-reality-of-food-tech-investments-turn-attention-to-sustainability/17079389-1-eng-GB/Video-Investors-wake-up-to-reality-of-food-tech-investments-turn-attention-to-sustainability.png)
