In This Issue:
- Food Venture Financing Trends
- CPG Corporate Venture and Private Equity Funds
- Links to Relevant Content and Events
Food Venture Financing Trends
- Chobani, a dairy giant, announced the acquisition of Daily Harvest, a US startup offering plant-based smoothies, snacks, protein products and ready meals.
- Nestlé is channeling its investments into innovative "big bets" like Nescafé Espresso Concentrate, which allows consumers to create café-style cold espresso drinks at home. Additionally, the company is developing new growth platforms in nutrition, with a special emphasis on women's health.
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. Its 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
- Chobani Buys Plant-Based Food Maker Daily Harvest
- Conagra Announces Expansion at Missouri Facility
- Private Equity Firm Invests in Sweetmore Bakeries
- Chocolate Works Acquires Thompson Chocolate
- Verde Valle Foods Acquiring a Dozen Cousins
- Spearhead Bio Emerges to Solve 'a Major Obstacle with CRISPR'
- Kraft Heinz to Invest $3 Billion Into Modernising US Manufacturing Sites
UPCOMING EVENTS
Naturally Colorado
May Networking Collision
Wednesday, May 28 | 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. MT
Location: Junction Food & Drink, 2000 South Colorado Blvd Denver, CO
This month's Networking Collision is all about intentional connection. Expect structured opportunities to engage, network, and spark meaningful conversations—all in a relaxed environment with great food and drinks..
Naturally Minnesota
Naturally Rising Minnesota Pitch Slam
Thursday, May 29 | 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. CT
Location: The Neu Neu, North 3rd Street 514, Minneapolis, MN
Join Naturally Minnesota for their Naturally Rising Pitch Slam, the ultimate event celebrating this region's most promising, purpose-driven brands! Whether you're looking to network with industry leaders, discover the next big thing in conscious business, or stay ahead of the latest trends, this is the place to be.
Naturally Seattle
How to Scale Without Losing Your Brand's Soul
Thursday, May 29 | 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. PT
Location: Foundations, 1605 Boylston Avenue, Seattle, WA
Growth is good. But growth without soul? Not in this town.
At the How to Scale Without Losing Your Brand's Soul panel, Naturally Seattle is bringing together the Pacific Northwest's boldest thinkers and biggest operators to tackle the gnarly questions keeping growth-stage brands up at night. Think M&A, margin pressure, retailer power plays, and the ever-annoying "what the hell is my brand even doing in this channel?".
Speakers:
- Grant Carlton – Head of Marketing, Pacific Foods
- Jen Pletscher – Supplier Dev. Manager, UNFI
- Julien Franceschi – Client Director, NIQ
- David Lemley – Head of Strategy, Voodoo Brands
- Moderated by Diana Fryc – Chair, Naturally Seattle
Naturally Chicago
Naturally Rising/Naturally Chicago Conscious Pitch Competition and Forum
Monday, June 2 | 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. CT
Location: Venue SIX10, 610 S Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL
Naturally Chicago invites you to join them for their biggest annual business-building event: brands pitch competition and finance & investment forum.