In This Issue:
- Food Venture Financing Trends
- CPG Corporate Venture and Private Equity Funds
- Links to Relevant Content and Events
Food Venture Financing Trends
- Formo, a fermentation startup that develops alternative cheeses, announced that it raised $61 million in its Series B round.
- Novameat, a plant-based meat startup, announced that it raised €17.4 million in its Series A round.
- General Mills announced that has entered into a deal with French dairy companies Lactalis and Sodiaal to sell its North American yogurt business for $2.1 billion.
- ReScale, a startup that is developing an online platform for CPG companies to find co-manufacturers, announced that it raised $2.3 million in funding.
CPG Corporate Venture and Private Equity Fund
This week's featured corporate venture and private equity fund is Thai Union Group.
- Founded in 1977, Thai Union has dedicated itself to mastering the seafood value chain, from the initial sourcing of raw seafood materials to the processing and manufacturing of finished products. It has 14 production facilities that are spread across 11 countries in North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
- In 2016, Thai Union launched its SeaChange 2030 global sustainability strategy. This sustainability initiative focuses on enhancing seafood traceability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, advancing ethical labeling standards, and supporting communities impacted by natural disasters and the pandemic.
- Some of its portfolio companies include the following:
- Genova
- Chicken of the Sea
- John West
- Sealect
- Fisho
Links to Relevant Content and Events
ARTICLES
- Kubota Makes Move To Ramp Up Its Ag Tech Capability
- Standing Ovation Raises €3.75 Million for Fermented Casein, Eyes 2025 USA Launch with New CEO
- Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures Has Led a $33 Million Series B investment for US Startup Galy, Which Makes Lab-Grown Cotton.
- Novameat Raises $19.2 Million to Expand Next-Gen Plant-Based Meat Texturizing Tech: ‘We Have a Clear Path to Profitability’
- SOLASTA Bio raises $14 Million, Plans to Commercialize Peptide-Based Biopesticides in ‘Half the Time’ It Takes For Synthetics
UPCOMING EVENTS
Davis Wright Tremaine Chicago
Chicago Office Reception with F+B Partners
Thursday, September 26 | 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. CT
Location: DWT Chicago, 300 N La Salle St, Suite 2200, Chicago, IL
We hope you can join us can an exclusive clients and friends reception and wine tasting at our newly renovated Chicago office.
This special evening will feature a selection of curated wines from our esteemed client partner, Crimson Wine Group family brands. We are honored to welcome Megan deZendegui, Regional Sales Manager, who will be pouring specialty wines from some of our favorite producers.
This event offers a wonderful opportunity to connect with our lawyers, clients, and friends in a relaxed and elegant setting. We would be thrilled to have you join us for this memorable occasion. Please reach out to Natalie Myers-Guzman with any questions or for further details.
We look forward to your presence at what promises to be an enjoyable and enriching evening.
Thank you to Crimson Wine for joining us as this event.
Naturally Angeles
September Mixer
Monday, September 23 | 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. PT
Location: All Season Brewing Company, South La Brea Avenue 800, Los Angeles, CA
Naturally Los Angeles is excited to invite you to their September Mixer, taking place on Monday, September 23rd, at All Season Brewing on La Brea! This year, they're bringing back one of our popular traditions – Skeeball Night at All Season!
Bring your best game, competitive spirit, and enjoy an evening of networking with fellow members of the CPG community of Los Angeles. Whether you're a seasoned Skeeball pro or just playing for fun, it's going to be a great night filled with good vibes, drinks, and plenty of laughs.
Naturally England
Rise & Thrive: Industry Insights From an Insider
Tuesday, September 24 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. ET
Location: Polar Beverages, 1001 Southbridge Street, Worcester, MA
Join Naturally England for the fourth installment of our Rise & Thrive series, featuring a dynamic discussion with Ken Sadowski, the Beverage Whisperer, and Jeff Klineman, Editor-in-Chief of BevNet. This session promises to be both fun and engaging, as Kenny shares his insider knowledge and industry insights in a lively Q&A format.
Whether you're a seasoned professional or just getting started in the beverage industry, this event is designed to be interactive and informative, offering valuable takeaways for everyone. Don't miss the chance to get your questions answered in our interactive Q&A session at the end!
Speakers:
- Jeff Klineman, Editor in Chief at BevNET
- Ken Sadowsky, Beverage Whisperer & Board Member
Naturally Network
Industry Update: The State of CPG Capital
Tuesday, September 24 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CT
Naturally Network has put together speakers from diverse vantage points to offer an update on the state of capital in the CPG industry. This conversation will take us through how investors with different focus areas are assessing brands, where capital IS being deployed, and how, and actionable insights that brands can implement to support their ability to raise money, bootstrap, or leverage debt.
All event registrants will be eligible to claim a free copy of the CPG Financing Guide written by Keith Kohler!
Naturally Minnesota
Naturally MN Co-op Retail Tour
Wednesday, September 25 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CT
Location: Lakewinds Food Co-op, Lyndale Avenue South 6420, Richfield, MN
Join Naturally MN for an exclusive event tailored for founders and early-stage teams of CPG brands aiming to make their mark in retail. This interactive session will guide you through the essential strategies to not only get your products on store shelves but also ensure they thrive once they're there. You'll gain insights from store buyers, NCG category managers and brand founders on category management, product positioning, and retail readiness, as well as hands-on experience in understanding shelf dynamics and how to make your brand stand out. Whether you're looking to refine your retail strategy or just starting your journey, this event will equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to succeed in the competitive retail landscape.
Speakers:
- Jeanette Bloss, Category Manager at National Co+op Grocers
- Beth Hanson, Director of Sales at Seven Sundays
- Kate LaBrosse, CEO of Kate LaBrosse Coaching & Consulting
- Rebecca Lee, Senior Director of Purchasing & Merchandising at Wedge Co-ops
- Turk Mehmet, Purchasing Manager at Lakewinds Food Co-op
- Simon Solis-Cohen, Founder of Huxley
- Heidi Traore, Supplier Relationship Development Manager at National Co+op Grocers
Naturally Colorado
Naturally Boulder & Lucky's Networking Collision
Wednesday, September 25 | 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. MT
Location: Lucky's Bakehouse Café, 3980 Broadway Suite 107, Boulder, CO
Welcome to the latest installment of Naturally Boulder's Collision Series of Networking Events – a low-key, relaxed series of no-registration-required connection opportunities where you'll run into old friends and connect with new contacts. Want a chance to meet more folks in the natural and organic products industry? Wear green if you can to help spot each other. This is a free event; pre-registration is available but not required. Keep an eye out for Naturally Colorado’s board hosts, Asa and Michelle! Lucky's Bakehouse Cafe will have a special menu offering drinks, apps, and small plates as well.
Naturally San Diego
BevNET + NSD Meet-Up
Wednesday, September 25 | 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. PT
Location: 2645 Financial Ct., Suite D, San Diego, CA
Join the Naturally San Diego community and the San Diego BevNET team, for two hours of beverages and light appetizers. We also encourage you to BYOS a.k.a. "bring your own samples." Industry professionals within the food, beverage, beer, and beyond industries are invited to attend the free meetup.
Naturally Minnesota
MBOLD's Bold Growth Applicant Information Session #1
Thursday, September 26 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. CT
Please join MBOLD Bold Growth leaders for a virtual information session about the opportunity for protein innovation companies based outside the United States to apply for their Bold Growth mentorship program. You will receive a message from Naturally Minnesota confirming your registration for the information session.