Editor's Note
The protein drink market continues to attract interest and attention. Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel recently joined protein soda brand Proda as co-founders, adding more celebrity attention to the category. Monster Energy also announced plants to re-enter the protein shake market next year with Monster + Protein, while Beyond is expanding its Beyond Immerse line with a new caffeinated Protein + Energy offering. The recent activity shows that the protein trend is continuing to evolve, with brands looking for new ways to stand out through energy, functional ingredients and new beverage formats.
— Shelly Malik
For questions or additional information, contact Shelly Malik at ShellyMalik@dwt.com. You can also stay connected with DWT's latest Food + Beverage insights by following our Food + Beverage LinkedIn page.
In This Issue:
- Food Venture Financing Trends
- CPG Corporate Venture and Private Equity Fund
- Links to Relevant Content and Events
Food Venture Financing Trends
- Something & Nothing, a premium soda brand, raised $6.4 million in equity funding.
- Spirited Brands, a maker of canned cocktails, announced that it closed a $3.1 million capital raise.
- Hormel Foods entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Brakebush Brothers for approximately $1.055 billion.
CPG Corporate Venture and Private Equity Fund
This week's featured corporate venture and private equity fund is Amberstone.
- Based in California, Amberstone supports ambitious entrepreneurs who want to grow their consumer product brands by using comprehensive data analysis and leveraging its extensive experience in consumer goods.
- Amberstone's mission/investment philosophy:
- Build a healthier and more sustainable ecosystem
- Cultivate an environment where entrepreneurs, investors, brands and consumers achieve positive outcomes through enduring partnership
- Amberstone's mission/investment philosophy:
- Cleveland Kitchen
- Honey Mama's
- MUSH
- Javvy
- Partake Brewing
Links to Relevant Content and Events
ARTICLES
- Voyage Foods Charting Next Phase Of Growth
- Red Meat Inspection Exemption Legislation Proposed
- UW-River Falls Advances Animal Welfare with Cattle-Stunning Research
UPCOMING EVENTS
Naturally Minneapolis
Food. Ag. Ideas 2026
October 26 & 27
Location: Machine Shop, 300 2nd Street Southeast, Minneapolis, MN
Now in its ninth year, Food. Ag. Ideas, led by Naturally MN has become a must-attend gathering for farmers, entrepreneurs, brands, industry professionals and companies alike, drawing attendees from Minnesota and beyond.
FAI 2026 kicks off on Monday, October 26, with an optional (add-on) behind-the-scenes tour of the Minnesota State Fair, offering attendees an exclusive look at one of the state's most iconic agricultural institutions.
The main conference takes place on Tuesday, October 27, at Machine Shop, where you'll experience a full day of thought-provoking keynotes, panels, networking, and interactive programming centered around this year's theme, The Minnesota Model. Together, you'll explore how Minnesota's century of cooperative economics, land stewardship, and interconnected food system infrastructure has created a resilient ecosystem—and what the rest of the country can learn from it.
The day concludes with a joint networking happy hour at Mill City Museum, bringing together attendees from both Food. Ag. Ideas. and the Reuters Transform Food Conference for an evening of conversation, connection, and collaboration.
Naturally San Diego
From Hire to Fire: CA Employment Law Changes Every CPG Founder Needs to Know
Tuesday, October 27 | 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. PT
Location: Online Webinar
Join Naturally San Diego for a practical, founder-focused session led by employment law expert Marie Burke Kenny, a Partner at Procopio, a leading San Diego firm and Naturally San Diego partner that works closely with startups and growth-stage brands. They will break down key changes coming to California employment law and share concrete steps you can take now to reduce risk, stay compliant, and protect both your team and your company as you scale.
Naturally Colorado
Naturally Colorado & Recess Beer Garden Networking Collision
Wednesday, October 28 | 5 – 8 p.m. MT
Location: Recess – LoHi, 2715 17th Street, Denver, CO
Join Naturally Colorado for a casual evening of conversation, connection and community in the heart of LoHi.
Networking Collisions are free, informal gatherings designed to bring together founders, CPG professionals, service providers and other members of Colorado's natural and organic products community. Whether you're looking to make a new connection, catch up with familiar faces or simply spend time with others working across the industry, stop by anytime between 5 and 8 pm.
Naturally New York
Investor Readiness: What Investors & Lenders Are Seeing in CPG Right Now
Thursday, October 29 | 4 – 7 p.m. ET
Location: Bank of America Tower, One Bryant Park, New York, NY
Prepare your brand for the realities of fundraising with Investor Readiness, a hands-on bootcamp designed to help founders approach capital conversations with greater confidence and clarity.
This year's format brings the conversation into the boardroom, with a series of roundtable discussions moderated by experienced investors and lenders. The session will explore what capital providers are seeing in today's evolving CPG market and what founders should be thinking about as they prepare to raise funds.
Naturally NorCal
Naturally NorCal Coffee Meetups: October
Friday, October 30 | 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. PT
Location: Oakland, Mill Valley, San Francisco, Burlingame, Sonoma County
Naturally NorCal Coffee Meetups are a recurring opportunity to step away from the inbox, grab a cup of coffee, and connect with others in the natural products community.
Join them on the last Friday of each month from 9:30–10:30 a.m. at select Equator Coffees locations across the Bay Area and Costeaux French Bakery in Sonoma County.