In This Issue:
- Food Venture Financing Trends
- CPG Corporate Venture and Private Equity Funds
- Links to Relevant Content and Events
Food Venture Financing Trends
- Mondelēz announced an expansion of its investment in a Evirth, a leading manufacturer of cakes and pastries in China.
- Novameat, a Barcelona-based plant-based meat startup announced a $19.2 million Series A funding round.
- Juicy Marbles, a Slovenian startup making high-end plant-based filet mignon steaks, loins, and baby ribs, announced its plan to move into the US retail market in 2025.
CPG Corporate Venture and Private Equity Fund
This week's featured corporate venture and private equity fund is Amberstone.
- Based in California, Amberstone supports ambitious entrepreneurs who want to grow their consumer product brands by using comprehensive data analysis and leveraging its extensive experience in consumer goods.
- Amberstone's mission/investment philosophy:
- Build a healthier and more sustainable ecosystem.
- Cultivate an environment where entrepreneurs, investors, brands and consumers achieve positive outcomes through enduring partnership.
- Some of its food and beverage partners include the following:
- Bloom
- Cleveland Kitchen
- Honey Mama's
- MUSH
- Javy
- Partake Brewing
Links to Relevant Content and Events
ARTICLES
- Seattle Startup Arzeda Raises $38 Million to Create Proteins for Food, Pharma, and Other Industries
- ReScale Emerges From Stealth With $2.3 Million to Address 'Biggest Pain Point' For Small Brands
- Pairwise Raises $40 Million Series C, Forms JV With Corteva to Accelerate Gene Editing on Row Crops
- Lil Bucks Sprouting Through Series A Funding Round
- Standing Ovation Raises €3.75 Million, Names New CEO
UPCOMING EVENTS
Naturally Minnesota
MBOLD's Bold Growth Applicant Information Session #2
Monday, September 30 | 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. CT
Please join MBOLD Bold Growth leaders for a virtual information session about the opportunity for protein innovation companies based outside the United States to apply for their Bold Growth mentorship program. You will receive a message from Naturally Minnesota confirming your registration for the information session.
Naturally Network
CPG Debt Financing Office Hours
Tuesday, October 1 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CT
Register now for office hours and learn more about CPG Debt Financing with expert Keith Kohler!
- Join small group sessions to learn how debt financing can give your business a competitive edge.
- Discover how to strategically use debt and equity to fuel your company's growth, manage production, working capital, and operating expenses, all while retaining more ownership of your business.
- All attendees will get a FREE copy of Keith's e-book, The CPG Financing Guide: Debt Financing, designed to help founders navigate various funding stages from start-up to multi-year profitable.
Don't miss this opportunity to understand the full breadth and depth of debt financing and position your business for sustainable success.
Register now for access to all three Office Hour dates:
October 1st, 11 am - 12 pm CT
October 15th, 11 am - 12 pm CT
November 5th, 11 am - 12 pm CT
Naturally Chicago
Becoming a Category King
Tuesday, October 1 | 3:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. CT
With an industry all-star lineup, Naturally Chicago's "Becoming a Category King" webinar will provide a roadmap for emerging brands that want to soar to the top in sales for their product category.
Differentiation — what makes your brand or product stand out from the competition — is the key to sustainable growth and success. The webinar discussion will unpack how companies can shift their thinking from making better products to forging entirely new market categories.
The panel is made up of business leaders who range from industry legends to today's rising stars:
- John Foraker, Once Upon a Farm Co-Founder/CEO and former CEO of Annie's Homegrown
- Rashid Ali, Chomps Co-Founder/Co-CEO and Naturally Chicago Board member
- Emily Groden, Evergreen Waffles Founder/CEO and Winner of the 2024 Naturally Chicago Pitch Slam for Established Brands
- Sean Riley, Dude Wipes Chief Executive Dude/President
- Kat Cole, AG1 CEO
- Mike Bruno, Play Bigger Partner
Naturally New England
Atlantic Sea Farms Tour
Wednesday, October 2 | 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET
Location: Atlantic Sea Farms, 20 Pomerleau Street, Biddeford, ME
Please join Naturally New England for an exclusive tour of the Atlantic Sea Farms facilities, plus an exclusive fireside chat with CEO Brianna Warner.
Naturally New York
Platform Strategy for the Now: Hot Takes on Where to Focus Your Social Media Energy Right Now
Wednesday, October 2 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET
Join Naturally New York for a presentation from Naturally New York partner Sircle Media as they provide tips for navigating social media strategy and management in today's social landscape. Members from the Sircle team will provide real, actionable suggestions that brands of all sizes can implement into their own monthly playbooks.
Naturally North Bay
Virtual Q&A Session: Learn More About Our New Chapter
Wednesday, October 2 | 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. PT
Join Naturally North Bay for a live virtual Q&A session to discuss the exciting merger of Naturally Bay Area and Naturally North Bay into Naturally NorCal. This is your chance to ask questions, learn more about what this merger means for you, and hear how we plan to bring even more opportunities to the natural products community.
Naturally New England
Member Exclusive: Ride Along with Holly Long
Thursday, October 3 | 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. PT
Location: Farm Fresh Rhode Island, 10 Sims Avenue, Providence,
Join Naturally England for an exclusive ride-along event with Holly Long, Principal Forager for Local and Emerging Brands at Whole Foods Market. This unique experience offers a behind-the-scenes look at some of Rhode Island's finest food and beverage producers.