In This Issue:
- Food Venture Financing Trends
- CPG Corporate Venture and Private Equity Funds
- Links to Relevant Content and Events
Food Venture Financing Trends
- In Q1 2024, food tech startup funding fell by 50%, while AI startups captured 70% of venture capital investments.
- Despite difficult fundraising conditions, alternative protein companies are attracting investor interest and succeeding in M&A:
- Liberation Bioindustries, formerly Liberation Labs, raised $52 million for a precision fermentation and alternative protein production facility.
- Vivici, an alternative dairy producer, secured $33.8 million in funding.
- PFx Biotech, a Porto-based startup that develops natural human milk proteins, closed a €2.5 million seed round.
- Food tech companies that integrate AI are also experiencing success:
- Coco Robotics, a Los Angeles-based food delivery startup, raised $80 million from VC firms and angel investors, including Sam Altman.
- Tastewise, an AI marketing platform for food and beverage companies, raised a $50 million Series B round.
CPG Corporate Venture and Private Equity Fund
This week's featured corporate venture and private equity fund is Rich Products Ventures ("RPV").
- RPV, founded in 2017 and headquartered in Emeryville, California, is the corporate venture arm of Rich Products Corporation, a leading frozen food manufacturer and one of the 50 largest food and beverage companies in the United States.
- As a private, family-owned company with global reach, RPV is dedicated to providing opportunities and a competitive edge for early-stage ventures across the food industry that aim to shape the future of food through technology and innovation. RPV's areas of focus include the following:
- Nutrition and health
- Sustainable production
- Next generation of retail and foodservice
- Dynamic supply chain
- Some of their portfolio companies include:
- Thistle, a plant forward meal delivery service.
- Botrista, an automated premium beverage solution company.
- Haofood, a company creating plant-based chicken.
- Myco Technology, a company dedicated to developing novel proteins and ingredients through precision fermentation and mycelium.
- Every, a company creating animal-free protein solutions.
Links to Relevant Content and Events
ARTICLES
- Food Tech Investments Slow as AI Grabs Venture Capital Attention
- King's Hawaiian Owner to Build $54 Million Pickle Factory
- Del Monte Foods to Shutter Fruit Processing Plant in Washington State
- Conagra to Sell Seafood Brands Van de Kamp's and Mrs Paul's for $55 Million
- Partnership Launches Trillium Foods
UPCOMING EVENTS
Naturally New England
Members Exclusive Online Workshop: Unifying Your Strategy Across Channels
Tuesday, June 24 | 12 p.m.–1 p.m. ET
In today's retail landscape, brands can't afford to treat channels as isolated silos. This interactive workshop explores how to unify your strategy across physical retail, eCommerce, and social platforms to drive growth and avoid costly missteps.
You'll learn how to:
- Align brand and business goals across all key channels
- Build channel-aware plans that work together, not against each other
- Adapt creative and content for each platform while staying true to your brand
- Foster better cross-functional collaboration across marketing, sales, ops, and more
With real-world examples, practical tools, and actionable insights, this session is designed for brand leaders ready to think beyond the silo and create a cohesive go-to-market plan that connects the dots—everywhere your customer shops.
Speaker:
- Robert Principe, Founder of eTail Advisors
Naturally Colorado
Naturally Colorado and Rayback Collective Networking Collision
Wednesday, June 25 | 5 p.m.–8 p.m. MT
Location: The Rayback Collective, 2775 Valmont Rd., Boulder, CO
This month's Networking Collision is all about intentional connection. Expect opportunities to engage, network, and spark meaningful conversations with other individuals working in the CPG industry—all in a relaxed environment with great food and drinks.
Naturally New England
Spring Meet-Up
Thursday, June 26 | 5 p.m.–7 p.m. ET
Location: Standing Stone Wines, 33 Main Street, Winooski, VT
Join Naturally New England for an exclusive Naturally New England spring meet-up at Standing Stone Wines, a woman-owned wine shop in Vermont. Connect with fellow founders, industry professionals, and community members over a curated wine flight, light bites by Harmony's Kitchen, and great conversation.
Naturally Los Angeles
2025 Naturally Rising Pitch Slam
Thursday, June 26 | 6 p.m.–9 p.m. PT
Location: 3402 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA
Join Naturally Los Angeles for an unforgettable evening as they present the Naturally Rising Pitch Event—where the most exciting emerging brands in the natural products space will go head-to-head in a live pitch competition!
Naturally Seattle
CPG Connect
Thursday, June 26 | 6:30 p.m.–8 p.m. PT
Location: Hellenika Cultured Creamery, Pike Place 1920a, Seattle, WA
Join Naturally Seattle for an exclusive night of connection and fun at Hellenika, Seattle's newest frozen treat sensation! Connect with industry professionals and hear from the founders of Hellenika about their journey in the food and beverage industry.
Naturally Wisconsin
First Annual Family Picnic
Saturday, June 28 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m. CT
Location: Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center, 7001 Gass Lake Road, Manitowoc
Get ready for a fantastic family day out! Join Naturally Wisconsin for a day of family fun and local flavor at their First Annual Family Picnic. This event will highlight the vast food ecosystem that Wisconsin hosts, including agriculture, food products, ingredients, packaging, processing, retailers, and supply chain - not to mention the funding & service providers that keep these producers moving. Explore interactive exhibits, network with colleagues from throughout the state, meet adorable farm animals, and enjoy some local food!
Naturally New York
Margs & Momentum
Sunday, June 29 | 5 p.m.–7 p.m. ET
Location: Tacombi—Empire State Building (23 W 33rd St)
Join Naturally New York after the Summer Fancy Food Show for a spicy summer evening of margaritas, momentum, and meaningful connection at Tacombi's 34th Street location!