In This Issue:
- Food Venture Financing Trends
- CPG Corporate Venture and Private Equity Funds
- Links to Relevant Content and Events
Food Venture Financing Trends
- Ripple Foods, a plant-based milk foodtech company, announced that it raised $49 million in its recent funding round.
- PitchBook's recent Q3 2023 Foodtech report found that although over VC deals in the foodtech sector remain low, median C deal size increased by 33.3% year-over-year hitting $4 million.
- PitchBook's Foodtech report also found that recent VC deal valuations have increased 57.6% year-over-year hitting $23.6 million.
CPG Corporate Venture and Private Equity Fund
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. It's target market includes:
- CPG food & beverage manufacturers
- Artisan food & beverage
- Mobile food trucks
- Caterers, personal chefs, and bakers
- Capital Kitchens has helped over 300 consumer package goods (CPG) companies, food manufacturers, caterers, chefs, and food truck businesses succeed since 2012. Examples include:
- Credo Foods
- Simmering Soup Co
- Maple & Merit
- Sezi
- Steamm Espresso
Links to Relevant Content and Events
ARTICLES
- Impossible Foods Broadens Portfolio With Plant-Based Franks
- EagleTree Capital Acquires Summit Hill Foods, Owner of Better Than Bouillon® and The Original Louisiana Hot Sauce™
- Fresh Vine Wine Inks Merger LoI With Notes Live
- Prima Wawona Gains Sustainable Water Efficiency in Stone Fruit Orchards With Aqua4d Tech
- KatKin Receives Backing From Private Equity
- New York Supports Meat Processors With $4.25 Million of Funding
- With a Fresh $25 Million in Hand, AgroSpheres Aims to Build ‘Unprecedented Stability’ in Crop Biologicals
- Plant-Based Milk Maker Ripple Foods Raises $49 Million on Back of ‘Explosive Growth’ in Kids’ Products
UPCOMING EVENTS
Naturally Austin
HomeRoom - December 2023
Tuesday, December 12 | 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. CT
Location: Serenity Kids Inc., West US Highway 290 Service Road 5524,
Austin, TX
The scariest part of entrepreneurship is not knowing what you don't know. Joe Carr, Co-Founder of Serenity Kids, will guide you through a discussion about discovering those unknown factors and how to address items that come up when you are not prepared.
Naturally Network
CPG Wrap-Up - An End-of-Year Education Series
Thursday and Friday, December 12 & 13 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CT
Calling all CPG founders and supporters! As we navigate through our busiest season, it's crucial to conclude this year while gearing up for the next effectively. Naturally Network invites you to join their end-of-year education series. They'll ensure you're fully informed on the latest regulations, equipped with essential items, and primed for a successful start in January.
All attendees will receive an End-of-Year Checklist PDF created by CPG experts!
Speakers:
- William Cole, Partner at Amin Talati Wasserman
- John Foster, COO at Wolf & Associates
- Matthew Orr, Partner at Amin Talati Wasserman
- Dr. Jennifer Tucker, Deputy Administrator at USDA
Naturally Minnesota
Bold Growth Applicant Information Session
Wednesday, December 13 | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. CT
MBOLD is excited to announce that they will accept applications for the next cohort of their "Bold Growth: Scaling for Success in Food & Ag" program from December 1, 2023 through January 12, 2024. Bold Growth is a terrific opportunity for high growth companies to access tailored mentorship from corporate experts within and beyond the MBOLD coalition focused on the issues most important to your company's future success.
Join Bold Growth program leaders in this virtual information session to learn more about this opportunity and get your questions answered.
Naturally Bay Area
Holiday Happy Hour + Gift Fair
Wednesday, December 13 | 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. PT
Location: Dokkaebier, 420 3rd Street, Oakland, CA
Naturally Bay Area member company, Dokkaebier, will be hosting the Naturally Bay Area community at their taproom near Jack London Square in Oakland.
- Mingle with the Naturally Bay Area community
- Enjoy Dokkaebier's unique Asian-inspired craft beers (complimentary drink tickets will be provided for members who register ahead!)
- Shop the holiday fair featuring six local makers
- Bring a friend and introduce them to the vibrant Naturally Bay Area community (this event is open to the public)
Naturally San Diego
Holiday Happy Hour!
Thursday, December 14 | 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. PT
Location: Pina, 345 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA
Naturally San Diego is hosting a Holiday Happy Hour. Holiday attire is encouraged!
There will be dedicated tables where you can display and give away your product and/or coupons.