In This Issue:
CPG Corporate Venture and Private Equity Fund
This week's featured corporate venture and private equity fund is BRF S.A.
- BRF S.A., based in Brazil, is one of the largest global food companies. It has nearly 100,000 employees working out of 120 countries.
- With global performance, BRF builds brands considering the particularities of each market.
- BRF offers more than three thousand products with emphasis on flavor and quality.
- Some of the portfolio companies include:
- Claybom
- Banvit
- Deline
- Borella
- Qualy
- Sadia
- Bom Sabor
- Confidence
- Kidelli
Links to Relevant Content and Events
ARTICLES
- Mars Collaborating with Fonterra to Reduce GHG Emissions
- Vivici Raises $34 Million to Expand Animal-Free Dairy Operation
- Hoff’s Bakery Acquired by German Company
- T. Hasegawa Expands California Innovation Center
- Celsius to Acquire Better-For-You Brand for $1.8 Billion
- Evertis Announces £100 Million Investment in New US Production Plant
- Nelson-Jameson, Gourmet Ingredients Form Partnership
UPCOMING EVENTS
Every Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday from 11:00 am - 12:15 pm PT
A series of in-depth conversations exploring the financing and mindset journeys of CPG companies, featuring CPG founders and industry experts. This event is FREE for all who register, allowing access to both the live events and the recordings through to May 31, 2025.
OSC/JEDI Peer Mentoring Circles for Women in Leadership in Natural Products
Applications are open for OSC's Women's Circles, a year-long peer mentoring circle designed to accelerate the advancement of female and/or women-identifying intersectional leaders through connection, shared experience, development, and peer to peer mentoring. For more information, visit their website.
Nominate someone amazing: Know a woman leader (Director-level+, excluding CEOs) who would thrive in this space? Nominate her here.
Naturally Chicago
Power to Pitch: 10 Keys to a Successful Pitch
Thursday, March 13 | 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. CT
Whether you're pitching to investors, for grants, or preparing to compete in Naturally Chicago's Pitch Slam, your ability to communicate a clear, compelling and confident pitch is key to securing funding. This event will be a tour de force by Kat Weaver, the fundraising and pitch expert who founded and runs the Power to Pitch company.
Speaker:
- Kat Weaver, CEO, Power to Pitch
Naturally New England
Members Exclusive Online Workshop: How to Manage Demand Planning
Tuesday, March 18 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET
Join Naturally New England for an exclusive online workshop designed for early-stage CPG founders looking to build a strong foundation in demand planning. Led by Kevin Mannering, partner at RodeoCPG and co-founder of SnoBase (software to streamline your S&OP), this session will break down the fundamentals of forecasting, inventory management, and supply chain alignment. Attendees will gain practical tools and actionable strategies to integrate demand planning into their day-to-day operations, helping to optimize growth and reduce costly missteps. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from an industry expert and set your brand up for long-term success!
Speaker:
- Kevin Mannering, Partner and Chief Product Officer at RodeoCPG Inc.
Naturally NorCal
AI in CPG: Innovation Pipeline and Product Development
Tuesday, March 18 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. PT
Join Naturally NorCal for a panel discussion about how brands are using artificial intelligence for more effective product development and innovation pipeline planning. Industry experts will explore how AI is transforming the process from ideation to launch, sharing practical applications in market intelligence, consumer insights, concept testing and more. This session is perfect for anyone looking to stay ahead in the ever-evolving CPG landscape — especially brand managers, product developers and innovation teams - and those looking to optimize resources.
Speaker:
- Alexandra Crane, Senior Brand Director of Grove Collaborative
Naturally New England
Sweet Insights
Wednesday, March 19 | 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. PT
Location: Lake Champlain Chocolates Flagship Store, 750 Pine Street, Burlington, VT
Join Naturally New England for an exclusive and intimate tasting experience at Lake Champlain Chocolates, where you'll savor delicious chocolates and engage in an inspiring fireside chat with the leadership team behind the iconic brand. This event offers a unique opportunity to hear firsthand about the company's journey, values, and commitment to quality, all while enjoying a curated tasting of their finest chocolates.
Speakers:
- Eric Lampman, President at Lake Champlain Chocolates
- Allyson Myers, Director of Marketing & Customer Experience at Lake Champlain Chocolates
Naturally NorCal
QA & Operations Forum: March Meeting
Wednesday, March 19 | 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. PT
Connect, collaborate, and grow with our Forums—peer networking groups designed to bring together professionals in similar roles for meaningful connections, fresh insights, and actionable solutions to shared challenges.
The QA & Operations Forum leads are:
- Cheriene Griffith, Director of FSQA at Torn Ranch
- Nathan Wilson, Senior Manager Quality Assurance at Easton & Co
The QA & Operations Forum meets Wednesday, March 19, May 14, August 13, October 8.