In This Issue:
- Food Venture Financing Trends
- CPG Corporate Venture and Private Equity Funds
- Links to Relevant Content and Events
Food Venture Financing Trends
- Saudi Arabia-headquartered food tech startup Calo, specializing in direct-to-consumer meal subscription services, secured $39 million in a Series B extension, which will enable them to increase their global reach.
- Czech startup Mewery secured $3.3 million in public grants to expand their production of cultivated pork and launch pilot projects with meat producers.
- MUNCHgroup, a Netherlands-based food innovation company, raised €375,000 to scale the use of their shiitake-based meat alternatives in the foodservice and catering sectors.
CPG Corporate Venture and Private Equity Fund
This week's featured corporate venture and private equity fund is Be8 Ventures ("Be8").
- Based in Berlin, Germany, Be8 invests in growing companies that shape tomorrow's food ecosystem in the regions of Europe, Israel, and North America.
- Be8 focuses on companies that already have a proven business model and, through their knowledge and expertise along the entire food and beverage value chain, helps companies grow.
- Some of their portfolio companies include:
- New Culture: A company revolutionizing how cheese is made with planet-friendly, animal-free methods.
- Bluu Biosciences: A cultivated fish company creating fish products that are free from antibiotics, environmental contamination, microplastics, and heavy metals.
- Melt & Marble: A company using precision fermentation to craft designer fats that mimic the functionality, flavor, and nutritional profile of natural fats for food and consumer products.
Links to Relevant Content and Events
ARTICLES
- Carlyle Places $250 Million Bet on US Farmland Lending with FarmOP
- Armed With Fresh Funds, TRIC Robotics Plans Fleet Expansion
- WisdomTree to Acquire $1.85B AUM Specialist Asset Manager
- Ardent Mills to Acquire Stone Mill in North Dakota, US
- Mars Opens $240 Million Nature's Bakery Facility in Salt Lake City
- Wayne-Sanderson Farms Announces Acquisition of Harrison Poultry
UPCOMING EVENTS
Naturally New England
Coffee + Co-op: A Morning Tour at Fiddleheads Co-op
Tuesday, August 12 | 10–11 a.m. ET
Location: Fiddleheads Food Co-op, 13 Broad St., New London, CT
Join Naturally New England's Connecticut Ambassador, Maddie Conkey, for a behind-the-scenes tour of Fiddleheads Food Co-op in New London! Learn how Fiddleheads is building a stronger local food system, meet fellow members, and get inspired by the power of cooperative retail in action.
This event is free and open to Naturally New England members. Space is limited—RSVP encouraged!
Naturally San Diego
Influencers on a Budget: Social Strategies for Emerging CPG Brands
Tuesday, August 12 | 9–10 a.m. PT
Emerging CPG brands often face the challenge of growing their audience without agency-size budgets. In this practical and inspiring session, founders from The Coconut Cult and ONO Protein Oats will share how they launched and scaled their influencer programs. They'll be joined by Ashley LaBrune, Associate Director of Social, Influencer at Power Digital, who will share expert guidance on what works in influencer marketing, from outreach tactics to content collaborations.
Speakers:
- Ashley LaBrune, Associate Director of Social, Influencer at Power Digital
- Nilou Shahryari, Founder of ONO Protein Oats
- Noah Simon-Waddell, Founder of The Coconut Cult
- Stacey Sultar (Moderator), CMO at TalentSmartEQ
Naturally NorCal
Exit Planning – How & When to Start Thinking About a Sale
Wednesday, August 13 | 12–1 p.m. PT
Selling your company may seem far off, but early planning for an Exit can make all the difference. This webinar is designed for founders and business leaders who want to understand when and how to begin preparing for a successful sale. Hear from experts in wealth management, accounting, estate planning, and investment banking as they share key strategies for maximizing value and avoiding common pitfalls.
What You'll Learn:
- Why it's never too early to start thinking about your exit
- Steps to align your personal financial goals with your company's future
- How to prepare your business to be attractive to potential buyers
- Ways to streamline the transaction process for both sellers and buyers
- Key insights from professionals who support founders through the exit journey
Don Buder, Naturally NorCal Emeritus Board Member and Partner at Davis Wright Tremaine, will lead the conversation with our esteemed panel.
Speakers:
- Don Buder, Partner at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
- Willis Davis, Senior Vice President at The Burbank Group at Morgan Stanley
- Damon Houterman, Principal at Baker Tilly LLP
- Robert Lucchese, Bank of America
- Dana Reid, Partner at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
Naturally NorCal
Naturally NorCal QA & Operations Forum: FSMA 204 and Beyond
Wednesday, August 13 | 2–3 p.m. PT
AUGUST TOPIC: FSMA 204 & Beyond
The effective date for FSMA Rule 204 may have been pushed back — but don't let that lull you into waiting to act. Smart brands are using this time to get ahead, putting systems and processes in place now to meet new traceability requirements and rising expectations from retailers and foodservice customers.
Get ready for a practical, forward-looking session focused on traceability and compliance. Derek Hannum of ReposiTrak will join us to unpack the key elements of FSMA Rule 204, and take it a step further, exploring how customers are raising the bar with their own traceability standards, and how you can proactively plan for the changing expectations.
This is your chance to connect with fellow QA & Ops professionals, compare notes, and leave with insights to help your team stay ahead of regulatory and customer-driven demands.
Speaker:
- Derek Hannum, Chief Customer Officer at ReposiTrak
Naturally New England
Off The Beaten Path: Leadership Luncheon at Badger
Thursday, August 14 | 11 a.m.–1 p.m. ET
Location: W.S. Badger Company, 768 Route 10, Gilsum, New Hampshire
Naturally New England's "Off the Beaten Path: Leadership Luncheon" brings together curious minds and changemakers for an intimate fireside chat with Bill Whyte, founder of Badger, the trailblazing B Corp known for its organic skincare and deeply rooted ethical values.
In this candid conversation, Bill will share stories from Badger's early days, lessons learned while building a values-led business, and insights on staying mission-aligned in times of change. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned leader, or someone who values thoughtful dialogue, this gathering offers a rare opportunity to connect, reflect, and lead with purpose.
With only 20 seats available, participation is by invitation only. To be considered for this exclusive experience, we invite you to submit your ticket request by July 31st. Selected guests will be notified and issued tickets on August 4th.
The cost to attend is $25 per person, which includes a delicious lunch. This is your chance to connect with fellow QA & Ops professionals, compare notes, and leave with insights to help your team stay ahead of regulatory and customer-driven demands.
Naturally NorCal
Marketing Forum: The Art of Trendspotting
Thursday, August 14 | 12–1 p.m. PT
In this session, we'll dive into the art and science of trendspotting — how to separate passing fads from real signals and use those insights to shape smart marketing strategies.
You'll hear from seasoned marketers who track trends for a living and get a chance to share what you're seeing out in the wild. Walk away with sharper instincts, helpful tools, and a framework for identifying what's next.
What to Expect:
- Tips and tools for identifying early-stage consumer trends
- Examples of how brands can act on trends
- Breakout discussions to share signals, surprises, and what's catching your eye
- A simple framework to guide your trendspotting efforts year-round
Marketing Forum Leads and Speaker:
- Ericka Karner, CGO of Kuli Kuli Foods
- Carter Welch, CMO of Seven 8ths
- Susan Shields, former Marketing leader at Clover Sonoma, Lundberg Family Farms and many others
- Christine Keller, Principal-Owner of Sensate Foods
Naturally Seattle
CPG Connect: The Hall on Occidental
Thursday, August 14 | 6–8 p.m. PT
Join Naturally Seattle at The Hall on Occidental near Lumen Field for a casual and engaging meetup with others working in natural, organic, and better-for-you Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG).
This event brings together people who care about conscious business practices and creating better products. It's a great opportunity to connect with others in the industry, share ideas, and build relationships—whether you're deep in the work or just curious about where things are headed.
Enjoy good conversations and great local beer while supporting a growing community of like-minded professionals.
Naturally NorCal
Community Service Meetup: Oakland, Santa Rosa, SF
Friday, August 15
Naturally NorCal is hosting three volunteer meetups across the region on Friday, August 15, so you can lend a hand at a location that's most convenient for you. Pitch in, meet others, and make a difference.
Choose your volunteer location:
San Francisco
8–10:30 a.m.
SF-Marin Food Bank (Illinois Warehouse)
1050 Marin St at Illinois St, San Francisco, CA 94124
Sonoma County
10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Redwood Empire Food Bank
3990 Brickway Blvd, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
East Bay
12:30–3 p.m.
Alameda County Community Food Bank
7900 Edgewater Dr, Oakland, CA 94621
Spots are limited at each location, so register soon to save your spot.