In This Issue:
- Food Venture Financing Trends
- CPG Corporate Venture and Private Equity Funds
- Links to Relevant Content and Events
Food Venture Financing Trends
- Trace Genomics, a DNA-based soil intelligence cleantech company, has announced that it raised $10.5 million in Series B funding.
- Varaha, an Indian startup that focuses on climate-friendly farming methods, has announced it raised $8.7 million in Series A funding.
- Captain Fresh, a sustainable fish and seafood tech startup, has announced that it raised $25 million in its Series C extension.
- WeedOUT, a biotechnology startup, has announced that it raised $8.1 million in Series A funding.
CPG Corporate Venture and Private Equity Fund
This week's featured corporate venture and private equity fund is Zentis Ventures.
- Zentis, based in Aachen, Germany, is a technology-driven company specializing in the processing and refinement of fruits and other natural raw materials. Zentis primarily serves the food industry, offering products and ingredients for dairy products, dairy alternatives, baked goods, and confectionery.
- Founded in 1893, Zentis has an international presence in 50 countries, allowing it to serve global customers. Its commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability has made it a preferred partner for many companies in the food industry from startups to established brands.
- Portfolio companies include:
- Neggst
- POMOM
- Rettergut
- The Oater
- QUARKWERK
Links to Relevant Content and Events
ARTICLES
- Kroger and Albertsons Face Lawsuits to Block $24.6 Billion Merger
- Trace Genomics Raises Oversubscribed $ 10.5 Million Series B
- Ag-Tech Start-Up WeedOUT Raises $ 8.1 Million to Fight Weed Resistance
- The Mushroom Meat Co.'s Flexible Ingredient Platform to Support Scalable Production of Mushroom-Based Meat
- Equal Owner Whole Earth Brands To Go Private in Sweetened Takeover Bid
- Syngenta and Lavie Bio Form Partnership to Discover and Develop Novel Bioinsecticide
- Bluestein Ventures Closes Third Fund With $45 Million to Focus on Nutrition, Sustainability, Digitization
UPCOMING EVENTS
Emerging Food Brands Lab
May 7 – June 20, 2024
Project W and DWT Food + Beverage are excited to announce the return of The Emerging Food Brands Lab for women founders in the food and beverage sector. Developed in collaboration with DWT’s Food + Beverage practice, this multi-week program has been crafted to help founders take their brand to the next level through workshops dedicated to scaling production, optimizing distribution networks, and raising capital.
*Apply by March 22
Naturally Los Angeles
NLA Pre-Expo West Mixer at the Woodman in Sherman Oak
Tuesday, March 5 | 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. PT
Location: The Woodman, Ventura Boulevard 13615, Los Angeles, CA
Join Naturally Los Angeles' Pre-Expo West Community Mixer, a gathering designed to supercharge your networking and ensure we head into Expo West with momentum and unity.
Set in the vibrant atmosphere of The Woodman in Sherman Oaks, this mixer is the perfect opportunity to meet and mingle with fellow members of the Naturally LA community, including entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders in the CPG industry. Whether you're a seasoned Expo West veteran or gearing up for your first time, this mixer is for you!
Naturally Chicago and Naturally Boulder
Stop Looking for the Wrong Funding: Raising Capital in Challenging Times
Wednesday, March 6 | 3:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. CT
For small and emerging brands, there aren't one-size-fits-all solutions to business financing even in the best of times. This is particularly so at times such as these, when investor wariness over making bets on young companies is constricting the flow of capital.
If you have a natural products brand that needs funds to grow, you certainly don't want to waste your time barking up the wrong trees. Naturally Chicago and Naturally Boulder are presenting this free webinar to help find your way.
Speakers:
- Elliot Begoun, Founder/Brand Champion of TIG Brands
- Tonya Dorati, Co-Founder of Mother Kombucha
- Emily Griffith, Lil Bucks
- William Hayden, Co-Founder of Bags
- Kyle Koehler, Founder/CEO of Wildway
- Kelly Perkins, President/CEO of Spinster Sisters
- Jim Slama (moderator), Managing Director of Naturally Chicago
Naturally Austin
Pre-Expo Meetup
Thursday, March 7 | 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. CT
Location: Mozart's Coffee Roasters, Lake Austin Boulevard 3825, Austin, TX
Going to Expo West? This is a great opportunity to meet your fellow entrepreneurs heading to California and make some new friends to check out all of the events in Anaheim.
Naturally Los Angeles
Free Masterclass! Velocity Amplified: Strategies for Driving Retail Sales
Thursday, March 7 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PT
Once you're on the shelf, it's time to validate your product - it deserves its space there! Join Luke Abbott at the "Velocity Amplified" webinar and gain insights into levers that increase your sales at Natural Retailers.
- Identify key metrics for tracking your success
- Understand the specific needs and opportunities at key natural retailers like Sprouts and Fresh Thyme
- Learn effective off-shelf marketing tactics to get discovered
- Get your questions answered during Q&A
This masterclass will empower you with the knowledge to make informed, strategic decisions that optimize trade spend and drive sales while keeping profitability at the forefront.