In This Issue:
- Food Venture Financing Trends
- CPG Corporate Venture and Private Equity Funds
- Links to Relevant Content and Events
Food Venture Financing Trends
Green Circle Capital Partners announced it has raised $13 million for its first fund in a new venture capital division, Green Circle Foodtech Ventures (GCFV), with an anchor investment from Hormel Foods' VC arm 199 Ventures.
CPG Corporate Venture and Private Equity Funds
This week's featured program is Evolv Ventures.
- Evolv Ventures Capital Fund is a $100 million venture fund backed by Kraft Heinz. This venture fund aims to accelerate Kraft Heinz's exposure to emerging technologies and businesses and influence Kraft Heinz's position in the industry to become the most value-added investor in the space.
- Some of Evolv's portfolio companies include the following:
- Fabric (Microfulfillment platform for grocers and retailers)
- GrubMarket (Farm-to-table food delivery service offering a variety of organic and locally-sourced food and produce)
- Flowhub (Retail platform for modern cannabis dispensaries)
- Joywell (Growing the next generation of protein sweeteners)
Links to Relevant Content and Events
ARTICLES
- Fabalish Raising Money to Expand Distribution
- Hain Celestial to Acquire Parmcrisps, Thinsters Brands
- Coolhaus Ice Cream Moves to Animal-Free Methodology Following Acquisition by the Urgent Company
- Wildtype Agreement Will Bring Cell-Based Sushi to Grocery Stores and Restaurants
- Jack & Annie's Closes $23 Million; Aims to Make Jackfruit Hero Among Meat Alternatives
- Greeneye Technology Raises Funding Round of $22 Million, Led by JVP, to Expand the Commercial Launch of Its AI Precision Spraying System
- In 2022, Molecular Farming Startups Will Move Toward Commercialization of Animal-Free Proteins
EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
Naturally Bay Area's 2021 Quick Bites Series:
What to Expect in the 2022 Food & Beverage M&A Market
Wednesday, January 12, 12:00 - 12:45 p.m. PST
Naturally Bay Area board member Don Buder, Partner in the Food + Beverage practice of Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, will lead the conversation with these featured panelists:
- Mike Burgmaier, Managing Director & Co-Founder of Whipstitch Capital
- Wayne Wu, Partner at VMG Partners
Topics to be discussed:
- Factors that will drive the M&A market in the food & beverage sector.
- What buyers will be looking for and how they'll value their targets.
- What sellers can do to most significantly increase their valuations.
- Predictions of the hottest food & beverage categories for M&A transactions in the year ahead.
Naturally Bay Area's 2021 Quick Bites Series:
Diversify the Shelf: How POC-Owned Brands Can Win at Retail
Wednesday, January 19, 12:00 - 12:45 p.m. PST
The demand for grocery store products representative of today's shoppers is rapidly growing. Join this Quick Bites panel discussion about the opportunity for retailers to diversify the grocery shelf with products shoppers can better relate to.
Dianna Tremblay, Naturally Bay Area Board Member and Chief Program Officer at ICA, will lead our panel discussion with:
- Ibraheem Basir, Founder & CEO of A Dozen Cousins
- Thuy Nguyen, Forager at Good Eggs
- Subriana Pierce, Managing Partner at Navigator Sales & Marketing
At DWT, we are proud to have one of the largest Food + Beverage legal practices in the country, with over 40 attorneys representing food innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors at every level of the food chain, from Farm to Label.
The facts, laws, and regulations regarding COVID-19 are developing rapidly. Since the date of publication, there may be new or additional information not referenced in this advisory. Please consult with your legal counsel for guidance.
DWT will continue to provide up-to-date insights and virtual events regarding COVID-19 concerns. Our most recent insights, as well as information about recorded and upcoming virtual events, are available at www.dwt.com/COVID-19.