In This Issue:
- Food Venture Financing Trends
- CPG Corporate Venture and Private Equity Funds
- Links to Relevant Content and Events
Food Venture Financing Trends
- Bengaluru-based functional food startup Lo! Foods raised $3.5 million in a Series B funding round to enhance operational capabilities and launch new product lines.
- Denso Corporation acquired Netherlands-based Axia Vegetable Seeds, a developer of high-yield tomato seeds for greenhouses, as part of its expansion into agricultural technology and controlled-environment farming.
- Big Idea Ventures, a global leader in food-tech, agri-tech, and materials science investments, announced the addition of seven startups to its Global Food Innovation Fund II portfolio. The cohort includes companies innovating in precision fermentation, alternative ingredients, and gluten-safe food sectors.
- Texas-based Vilore Foods acquired Tia Lupita Foods, a hot sauce and tortilla chip startup focused on simple ingredients and bold flavors.
CPG Corporate Venture and Private Equity Fund
This week's featured corporate venture and private equity fund is S2G Investments ("S2G").
- S2G invests in late-stage venture and growth-stage businesses across the food & agriculture, oceans, and energy industry sectors.
- By focusing on highly interconnected industries and markets, S2G creates value-added partnerships by tapping into cross-sector market dynamics that enable long-term success and innovative growth strategies for their partners.
- In the food and agriculture sector, S2G approaches their investments from a grower-to-grocer perspective, aiming to drive economic value creation by investing in innovative companies that promote healthier food and restore the environment to create shared wins for both farmers and consumers.
- Some of their portfolio companies include:
- Beyond Meat
- Eat the Change: the company behind organic, fair trade tea options, including Just Ice Tea
- Lavva: a producer of plant-based, dairy-free products made from pili nuts.
- UCAN: sports nutrition and energy products
- Maple Hill Creamery: 100% grass-fed organic dairy products
Links to Relevant Content and Events
ARTICLES
- Eshbal Continuing North American Expansion with Latest Acquisition
- Clemens Food Investing $130 Million to Expand in Pennsylvania
- The J.R. Simplot Co. Acquires European Potato Manufacturer
- BiomEdit Raises $18.4 Million to Expand Designer Probiotics Platform
- Divert and US Cold Storage Partner to Convert Food Waste into Renewable Energy
- Meridian Biotech to Invest $40 Million in Alternative Protein Facility Using Distillery Byproducts
UPCOMING EVENTS
Naturally Minnesota
Volunteering with Naturally MN at Big River Farms
Tuesday, July 29 | 10 a.m.–1 p.m. CT
Location: Big River Farms, Ostlund Trail North 14220, Marine on Saint Croix
Join Naturally Minnesota on the farm at Big River Farms for a day of fresh air, sunshine, and getting your hands a little dirty as we roll up our sleeves and volunteer in the fields. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just farm-curious, this is your chance to connect with the land, meet awesome people, and support local sustainable agriculture.
Naturally New England
Meet Up at Mohegan Sun
Tuesday, July 29 | 4–5 p.m. ET
Location: The Lansdowne Irish Pub & Music House, Mohegan Sun Boulevard 1, Montville, CT
NNE Members Meet-Up! Join Naturally New England at the Mohegan Sun's Lansdowne Bar for a casual meet and greet with several of their board members.
Naturally Chicago
AI That Works for You: Learn to Streamline Content and Operations
Wednesday, July 30 | 1–2 p.m. CT
Discover how CPG teams are using AI to simplify marketing, sales, and operations—without losing their voice. They'll demo Voxley, introduce their AI Policy Assistant, and share tools to help you work smarter. You'll also learn about a new AI Transformation Cohort where CPG founders can explore, experiment, and grow together.
Speaker:
- Jennifer Amdur Spitz, Founder, Voxley
Naturally Colorado
Networking Collision
Wednesday, July 30 | 5–8 p.m. MT
Location: The Town Hall Collaborative, 525 Santa Fe, Denver, CO
This month's Collision will feature open networking starting at 5pm, with a fun, optionally facilitated "speed networking" session beginning at 6pm. Whether you're looking to meet someone new or reconnect with familiar faces in the natural products space, opportunities are being created to spark conversation in a relaxed, welcoming setting. Drinks and locally made Kettle Head popcorn will be available for purchase throughout the evening.
Naturally Seattle
Conscious CPG: Navigating Purpose and Planet in the Age of Convenience
Thursday, July 31 | 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. PT
Location: Industrious Industrious / Voodoo Brands 4311 - 11th Ave NE - 6th floor, Seattle, WA
In a consumer culture driven by speed and convenience, what does it mean to be a brand that's truly "better for you" and "better for the planet?"
Join Naturally Seattle for a powerful conversation with local mission-led leaders from The Non-GMO Project, PCC Community Markets, and Maeve Chocolate as we explore how conscious brands can maintain integrity, navigate trade-offs, and connect meaningfully with consumers. From certifications to storytelling, we'll dig into the evolving identity of trust in the CPG space and what it takes to lead with purpose.
Panelists:
- Non-GMO Project: Hans Eisenbeis Director of Mission and Messaging
- PCC: Rebecca Robinson Standards and Quality Manager
- Maeve (Seattle Chocolate): Ruby Shrestha; Vice President of Scientific Affairs
Naturally NorCal
Human Resources Forum: Legal Hot Topics & How to Prepare
Wednesday, August 6 | 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. PT
AUGUST TOPIC: Legal Hot Topics & How to Prepare
In today's climate, employers need to be ready for anything. This session will walk through best practices for maintaining clean employment files, understanding your obligations, and preparing your team for potential compliance checks.
Naturally NorCal's HR Forum is led by:
- Geraldine Flatt, VP People Operations, Our Home
- Annie O'Hare, Human Resources Director, Rustic Bakery
Naturally Minnesota
The Future of Retail
Thursday, August 7 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. CT
Retail is evolving fast. From AI shopping assistants to social commerce and Gen Alpha's influence, the landscape is shifting. NIQ explores what's next for food and beverage—where innovation, personalization, and bold strategies lead the way. Discover key trends in omnichannel shopping, health-driven products, and emerging brand breakthroughs. Whether you're scaling online, testing retail media, or rethinking distribution, gain fresh insights and actionable ideas to stay ahead.
Speaker:
- Krystal Dawson, Vice President | North America Business Partner Cluster Leader at NIQ
Naturally Chicago
Barilla Culinary Innovation Showcase
Thursday, August 7 | 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. CT
Location: Barilla Americas, 885 Sunset Ridge Rd., Northbrook, IL
Join Naturally Chicago's Culinary Innovation Showcase at Barilla Americas' headquarters in Northbrook. Enjoy demonstrations by Barilla's executive chefs on how to best showcase products at events and insights from NIQ on food industry innovation. Connect with Barilla's R&D team, including product developers, nutritionists, and regulatory experts.
Space is very limited...reserve your spot now.
Naturally Colorado
Volunteer Event at A Precious Child
Friday, August 8 | 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. MT
Location: The Donation Center at A Precious Child, 7051 W 118th Ave, Broomfield, CO
The Donation Center at A Precious Child accepts new and gently used clothing, hygiene products, baby essentials, essential home goods, and other items to benefit the families we support. On average, they receive 3,178 pounds of donations every day! Volunteers are an integral part of the team, helping them get all donations ready to distribute to children and caregivers.
Pacific Community Ventures - National Research Study
Pacific Community Ventures is offering a PAID opportunity for small business owners to participate in a national research study on what makes a good job at small and mid-sized businesses.
If you have between 10 - 1,000 full-time W2 employees, you can:
- Receive a $2,170 stipend for participating
- Get free business advisory support to improve employee retention and satisfaction
- Gain practical tools to strengthen your business and bottom line
Enrollment is open until July 30, 2025, and the program runs until September 30, 2025.
Learn more and apply here.