In This Issue:
- Food Venture Financing Trends
- CPG Corporate Venture and Private Equity Funds
- Links to Relevant Content and Events
Food Venture Financing Trends
- A recent report by PitchBook noted that foodtech startups raised $6.2 billion in the second quarter of 2021. Specifically, foodtech companies in the ecommerce, food delivery, and microalgae protein sectors had a strong quarter.
- Kitu Life, the startup that created Super Coffee, announced that it closed its $106 million round with a valuation over $500 million. The startup hopes to expand the distribution of its drink with its latest round of funding.
- Freshly recently launched its first plant-based meals line, highlighting consumers' preferences for plant-based protein products.
- Impossible Foods announced that it will début its Impossible Sausage brand in selected markets later this month.
CPG Corporate Venture and Private Equity Funds
This week's featured corporate venture and private equity fund is Capital Kitchens.
- Capital Kitchens is a shared-use commercial kitchen rental, culinary incubator, and mobile food commissary based in Texas. It creates a nurturing atmosphere for startups mixed with experienced food vendors. Capital Kitchens was named as one of the top 10 Mission Driven Incubator Kitchens in the country by Foodboro.
- Capital Kitchens specialize in the following sectors:
- CPG food & beverage manufacturers
- Artisan food & beverage
- Mobile food trucks & trailers
- Caterers, Personal Chefs, Bakers, and more
- Capital Kitchens has helped over 300 consumer package goods (CPG) companies, food manufacturers, caterers, chefs, and food truck businesses succeed since 2012. Examples include::
- BAO Cultured
- Jersey Barnfire
Links to Relevant Content and Events
ARTICLES
- Citi Seeks to Pair Banks and Small Businesses
- Indoor Agtech Startup iUNU Acquires Pest Advisory Firm CropWalk
- Beverage Tech Company Cirkul Raises $30 Million in Series B Funding
- WoodSpoon Raises $14 Million to Expand Its Home Chef Marketplace
- AeroFarms Partners With Nokia to Build Out Drone Control and Other Indoor Ag Tech
- Plant-based Cheesemaker Miyoko's Creamery Raises $52 Million Series C
- Debut Biotech Partners With DIC to Develop Natural Colors for Food
- Mizkan America Buys Barbeque Sauce Maker Born Simple
- Ultrafast Groceries, Microalgae Highlight Q2 in Foodtech
- Super Coffee, Backed by J. Lo and A-Rod, Nabs Over $500 Million Valuation
- Freshly Introduces Purely Plant-Its First-Ever Plant-Based Meals Line
- Impossible Sausage Hits Retail Market: 'Everything We’ve Brought To Market In Retail So Far Has Been Wildly Well Received'
EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Naturally Bay Area's 2021 Quick Bites Series:
Sampling Is Back! Now What?
After 15+ months without demos and lifestyle events, brands now have opportunities to sample their products to shoppers in store and other venues. How should a natural brand evaluate opportunities? How does sampling fit in with the increase in digital marketing and e-commerce?
Join this Quick Bites discussion led by Mary Tarczynski of Parabolic and representatives from shelf stable and perishable brands who are addressing these questions as they plan for Q4 and beyond.
Naturally Bay Area's 2021 Quick Bites Series:
CPG Corporate Venture Funds: How Big Food Invests in Emerging Brands
Wednesday, September 15, 12:00 - 12:45 p.m. PST
Hear how the venture investment arms of leading global food companies are supporting emerging food brands with investment capital and both strategic and operations resources.
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.
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.
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