In This Issue:
- Food Venture Financing Trends
- CPG Corporate Venture and Private Equity Funds
- Links to Relevant Content and Events
Food Venture Financing Trends
- Oatly Group AB has officially launched its initial public offering by filing its Form F-1 with the SEC. Oatly plans to sell American Depositary Shares on NASDAQ at a price per share between $15 and $17.
- Benson Hill, a plant-tech company that uses machine learning and genetics to enhance plant growth, announced that it plans to go public through a SPAC deal that will expect to yield $625 million in cash proceeds, valuing the company at $2 billion.
- Target is following the lead of other ecommerce platforms by launching its private label food and beverage brand. Target plans to launch Good & Gather, a plant-based line that will offer more than 30 plant-based products that are all priced below $8.
- Food and beverage industry experts predict that carbon score—labeling that states the amount of carbon used to manufacture a product—will soon be adopted by food and beverage brands in an effort to support sustainability goals.
CPG Corporate Venture and Private Equity Funds
This week's featured corporate venture and private equity fund is Farm2050.
- Farm2050 was co-founded by Innovation Endeavors and Finistere Ventures in California. Farm2050 is committed to advancing the future of food through supporting AgTech entrepreneurs and startups.
- Farm2050's partners include:
- The Wonderful Company
- AgriTech New Zealand
- Syngenta
- Taylor Farms
- Farm2050 was co-founded by Innovation Endeavors and Finistere Ventures in California. Farm2050 is committed to advancing the future of food through supporting AgTech entrepreneurs and startups.
- Farm2050 brings together researchers, farmers, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and distributors to accelerate the path for new disruptive AgTech. It looks for teams that are working on innovative technologies in the following areas:
- Supply Chain Efficiency, Sustainability, and Innovative Business/Distribution Models
- Products to Drive Technology Adoption and Farm Profitability
- Effective and Sustainable Crop Inputs
- Next-Generation Food Products and Development Platforms
Links to Relevant Content and Events
ARTICLES
- Valmont Acquires Crop Analytics Startup Prospera for $300 Million
- Benson Hill to go Public in $1.35 Billion SPAC Deal
- Oatly Releases IPO Terms & Sets Sights On US$10.1 Billion Valuation
- All Day Kitchens Raises $20 Million, Launches in Chicago
- Solar Biotech Raises $2 Million for Its Fermentation Tech
- Apeel Acquires ImpactVision to Fight Food Waste With Hyperspectral Imaging
- Ginkgo Bioworks to go Public at $15 Billion Valuation as Ag SPAC Frenzy Continues
- Target Launches Good & Gather Plant Based
- 'Carbon Score is the Next Big Thing,' Predicts CGC Co-Head, Industry Experts Gathered by FoodBytes!
- Eat Beyond Invests in Hemp and Adaptogen-Infused Sparkling Water Brand Daydream
- Better-For-You Energy Drink, Rowdy Energy Raises $13 Million in Fundraising Round
EVENTS
Food Funded 2021 JEDI
Wednesday, May 12, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. PT
There's more urgency and opportunity for racial equity out there, and past Food Investor Fairs have catalyzed investments for BIPOC food entrepreneurs. Slow Money and J.E.D.I. Collaborative invite you to join them for:
- Entrepreneur Lab: Changemakers and experienced practitioners speaking the truth about breakthrough.
- Food Investor Showcase:
- Bay Area Food Investor Fair: Forum for investors to meet BIPOC food entrepreneurs and see pre-screened investment opportunities.
- Virtual Tastings with Real Food and Small Group Exchanges: Engage your palate. Attendees will receive a Smorgasbox with samples from presenting food makers (while supplies last). Talk with the entrepreneurs about their food and their business.
Naturally Bay Area's 2021 Quick Bites Series
Discovery Box Program
Deadline to Apply: Friday, May 14
Naturally Bay Area members are invited to apply to the Discovery Box program — a curated assortment of products sent to local tastemakers, highlighting exciting up-and-coming Bay Area brands.
Expo West Virtual - J.E.D.I. Collaborative
Wednesday, May 26, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. PT
J.E.D.I. Collaborative will have programming at Natural Products Expo West Virtual on May 26th, 2021. The sessions will include a keynote by Van Jones and an unveiling of the next phase of J.E.D.I. Collaborative.
Natural Products Expo Virtual is FREE to qualified industry members. Your registration will give you access to all of the virtual events for 2021. You can see the full list of programs here.
CIA's Menus of Change Leadership Summit
June 22 - 24, 2021
Jeffrey Sachs, PhD, professor and director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, will be joining the Menus of Change® Leadership Summit: Virtual Edition, June 22–24, to provide his insights on how building sustainability into your business benefits your guests, the planet, and most importantly, your bottom line. Twice named one of Time Magazine's most influential world leaders, ranked by readers of The Economist as one of the top three most influential living economists, and recipient of the 2015 Blue Planet Prize.
Please check out DWT's newly re-launched Startup Law Blog
At DWT, we are proud to have one of the largest Food & Beverage legal practices in the country, with over 40 attorneys representing food innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors at every level of the food chain, from Farm to Label.
Please contact our Food and Beverage team if we can assist you in any way in these unprecedented times.
The facts, laws, and regulations regarding COVID-19 are developing rapidly. Since the date of publication, there may be new or additional information not referenced in this advisory. Please consult with your legal counsel for guidance.
DWT will continue to provide up-to-date insights and virtual events regarding COVID-19 concerns. Our most recent insights, as well as information about recorded and upcoming virtual events, are available at www.dwt.com/COVID-19.