In This Issue:
- Food Venture Financing Trends
- CPG Corporate Venture and Private Equity Funds
- Links to Relevant Content and Events
Food Venture Financing Trends
- Mad Capital, a credit firm helping farmers move towards regenerative farming practices, announced that it raised $78.4 million for its second fund, Perennial Fund II.
- Nitricity, a climate and agtech startup, announced that it raised $50 million in its Series B round.
- FBioweg, a biotechnology company using food by-products to replace microplastics, announced that it raised €16 million in its Series A round.
CPG Corporate Venture and Private Equity Fund
This week's featured corporate venture and private equity fund is Lotus Bakeries' Corporate Venture Fund – Fast Forward 2032.
- Belgium-based Lotus Bakeries, owner of the Nakd snack bar and BEAR snacks brands, launched an incubator fund called Fast Forward 2032 ("FF2032") in July 2019 to invest in emerging U.S. and EU-based brands and growth companies offering "innovative products, technologies, or market approaches within the food sector."
- FF2032 primarily focuses on innovative products, technologies or market approaches within the food and drinks industry. Additionally, this venture fund takes keen interest in the companies that specialize in innovating in the field of sustainability and food technology.
- The portfolio companies include the following:
- The Good Crisp Company, a U.S. savory snacking brand
- Peter's Yard, a British brand of artisanal sourdough crackers, crisps, and crispbread
- Oot Granola, a Netherlands based organic granola start-up
- Partake, a U.S. brand of gluten-free and allergen-friendly cookies
- Love Corn, a U.S. brand of crunchy corn snacks
Links to Relevant Content and Events
ARTICLES
- PHT Investment Group Unveils $500 Million Fund to Modernize U.S. Fresh Produce Supply Chain
- Nitricity Bags $50 Million to Meet Surging Demand for Organic Fertilizer
- Nutrabolt Boosts Stake in Bloom Nutrition with Nearly $160 Million Investment
- Calbee, Inc. Acquires Majority Stake in Hodo, Inc.
- MBC Furthers Pizza Expansion with Alpha Foods Buy
- Capol Acquires Blue Pacific Flavors
UPCOMING EVENTS
Naturally NorCal
Sales Forum: Trade Spend Decoded
Wednesday, September 24 | 5–8 p.m. MT
Location: Prost Brewing, 53 Centennial Blvd., Highlands Ranch, CO
Join Naturally Colorado at Prost Brewing Company's Highlands Ranch Biergarten for an evening of connection, structured networking and good conversation! Open to members and non-members, this event is a casual, fun way to connect with fellow natural products professionals. There's plenty of parking, and food and drink will be available for purchase onsite. Come meet new friends and reconnect with familiar faces.
Naturally NorCal
From Idea to Aisle – Panel & Open House at KitchenTown
Wednesday, September 24 | 5:30–8 p.m. PT
Location: KitchenTown, 1001 Howard Avenue, San Mateo, CA
Curious how great product ideas go from concept to store shelves? Join Naturally NorCal at KitchenTown for an evening of learning, inspiration, and connection with local CPG leaders and innovation experts.
You'll get a behind-the-scenes tour of KitchenTown's cutting-edge commercialization hub and enjoy appetizers prepared by Chief Culinary Officer Traci Des Jardins. Then, settle in for a dynamic conversation with Naturally NorCal's expert panel, who will share what it really takes to bring a product to life — from early-stage idea to retail-ready brand.
Speakers:
- Robyn DeFina, CMO at KitchenTown
- Mario DiFalco (Moderator), Founder of Illuminate Growth Partners
- Sylvie Royston, Founder & CEO of Just Date
- Patrick Wyman, Local Forager at Whole Foods Market
Naturally New England
Meet The Maker: Tasty Tour of the Western MA Food Processing Center
Thursday, September 25 | 3–5 p.m. ET
Location: Franklin County Community Development Corporation, 324 Wells Street, Greenfield, MA
Join Naturally New England for a dynamic afternoon of tastings, tours, and meaningful connections with the region's most promising emerging food brands.
Whether you're a buyer, distributor, mentor, or simply passionate about supporting local makers, this curated experience will introduce you to the talent and flavors shaping the future of our regional food system.
Naturally Austin
Welcome Back Happy Hour
Thursday, September 25 | 5–7 p.m. CT
Location: Meanwhile Brewing, 3901 Promontory Point Drive, Austin, TX
Summer is winding down, but the energy is just heating up! Join Naturally Austin as they kick off a new season of CPG events with their Welcome Back Happy Hour at Meanwhile Brewery.
Reconnect with the community, spark new conversations, and get motivated for the months ahead. Whether you're a founder, brand builder, service provider, or simply passionate about the local CPG scene, come raise a glass with them and strengthen your network.
Naturally Minnesota
Beauty, Health, and Wellness
Friday, September 26 | 11 a.m.–2 p.m. CT
Location: Neighborhood Development Center, 625 University Avenue West, Saint Paul
Join Naturally Minnesota for a half-day deep dive into building and scaling beauty and bodycare brands. From navigating infrastructure and sales channels to understanding shifting consumer preferences, this event brings together founders, retailers, and industry experts to share hard-earned lessons and emerging insights. Whether you're just starting out or ready to scale, you'll leave with practical knowledge, fresh perspectives, and new connections to help grow your brand.
Naturally NorCal
Real Talk: Lessons on Sustainable Sourcing with Paul Rice & Seth Goldman
Tuesday, September 30 | 10–11 a.m. PT
Join Naturally NorCal for an honest, founder-to-founder conversation with Paul Rice, founder of Fair Trade USA, and Seth Goldman, co-founder of Honest Tea and Just Ice Tea, as they unpack what fair trade, organic, and/or sustainable sourcing really looks like on the ground today.