In This Issue:
- Food Venture Financing Trends
- CPG Corporate Venture and Private Equity Funds
- Links to Relevant Content and Events
Food Venture Financing Trends
- PepsiCo announced that it plans to acquire Sabra and Obela dip brands from Strauss Group for approximately $244 million.
- Oishii, an indoor vertical farming startup, raised $16 million in funding.
- Cradle Bio, an AI-powered protein engineering startup, announced that it raised $73 million in its Series B round.
- B'ZEOS, a startup that develops seaweed-based packaging, announced that it closed its seed round.
CPG Corporate Venture and Private Equity Fund
This week's featured corporate venture and private equity fund is Five Seasons Ventures (FSV).
- FSV is a Paris-based venture fund investing in food and beverage consumer food brands that emphasize environmental sustainability. FSV targets Series Seed to Series B European startups and invests in the range of €2-10M.
- FSV's portfolio companies include:
- Air Up, maker of the scent-based taste drinking system
- THIS, producer of plant-based meat offerings (such as chicken and bacon) targeting flexitarians, which emphasizes healthful ingredients and environmental responsibility
- DASH Water, maker of ethically sourced, fruit-infused water
Links to Relevant Content and Events
ARTICLES
- Top Food Tech Trends for 2025 Revealed
- European Agri-Tech Company Elicit Plant Secures $48 Million in Series B to Bankroll US Expansion
- Keychain Raises $15 Million in Series A Funding
- AI-Powered Ingredient Platform Company Raises $16 Million
UPCOMING EVENTS
Naturally New York
The Holiday Bazaar, presented by Bank of America
Wednesday, December 11 | 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET
Location: Home Studios Inc., 873 Broadway, 4th floor, New York, NY
Join Naturally New York community members and CPG industry professionals for a festive evening of networking and holiday cheer inspired by the iconic Bryant Park Holiday Shops.
Here's what to expect at our most anticipated event of the year...
- Professional Networking: Connect with 250+ attendees from our vibrant community!
- Holiday Marketplace: Shop, sample, and take home products from our curated marketplace featuring 40+ Natural Brand Members!
- Delicious Treats: Enjoy complimentary food, refreshments, & cocktails!
- Live Entertainment: MC, Photobooth, Mentalist, and some very Special Guests!
Naturally Colorado
Colorado Food Works & Naturally Colorado Ugly Sweater Holiday Party *Members Only*
Wednesday, December 11 | 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. MT
Location: Little Man Ice Cream, 4411 West Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Location: Little Man Ice Cream, 4411 West Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Join Naturally Colorado for their Ugly Sweater Holiday Party and Food Drive with food and drink for all. In addition to purchasing your ticket(s), we ask that you bring food donations of your own product, purchase at the store, or we will purchase for you with an add on ticket of $15 or $30.
This event is open to Naturally Colorado and Colorado Food Works members only. If you would like to attend but are not a current member of Naturally Colorado, you can join here.
Naturally Seattle
Naturally Seattle Festive: A Holiday Celebration
Wednesday, December 11 | 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. PT
Location: Jellyfish Brewing Company – Georgetown, South Nebraska Street 917, Seattle, WA
Join Naturally Seattle for their Holiday Party featuring brand sampling, an ugly sweater contest, and a white elephant game.
Naturally Bay Area
Holiday Happy Hour + Gift Fair
Thursday, December 11 | 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. PT
Location: Dokkaebier, 420 3rd Street, Oakland, CA
You won't want to miss this opportunity to:
- Mingle with the Naturally Bay Area community
- Enjoy Dokkaebier's unique Asian-inspired craft beers
- Shop the holiday fair featuring five Naturally Bay Area members
Give Back to Our CommunityThis holiday season, Naturally Bay Area invites you to join them in celebrating and giving back. While this is a free event, your tax-deductible donation helps Naturally Bay Area continue to provide impactful programming, events, and resources for the Conscious CPG ecosystem.
Naturally Minnesota
Holiday Happy Hour
Thursday, December 12 | 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. CT
Location: 411 N. Washington Ave, Ste. 500, Minneapolis, MN
Join Naturally Minnesota for one of the biggest networking events of the year, as Naturally Minnesota brings together our entire ecosystem to celebrate the thriving natural products industry. Whether you're a founder, investor, retailer, industry employee, or simply passionate about food, ag, and CPG, this is your chance to connect, share insights, and toast to a successful year with hundreds of like-minded individuals.
In addition to fostering valuable connections, this year's Holiday Happy Hour will showcase a diverse range of brands from across Minnesota, including exciting innovations from Greater MN, who will be sampling and selling their products. This is a unique opportunity to meet brand founders, support businesses not typically represented at Twin Cities based events, and discover new favorites.
Naturally Los Angeles
2024 Ugly Sweater Mixer
Thursday, December 12 | 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 a.m. PT
Location: Bike Shed Moto Co, Industrial Street 1580, Los Angeles, CA
It's time to dig deep into your wardrobe and dust off that delightfully tacky holiday sweater! Whether it jingles, sparkles, or looks like a DIY experiment gone wrong, it's your pass to the most festive mixer of the season. Join Naturally Los Angeles for a fun-filled evening of ugly sweaters and networking with all your CPG friends!!
Naturally San Diego
Holiday Coffee (+ Tea!) and Convos
*Members Only*
Friday, December 13 | 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. PT
Location: Chuao Chocolatier, 2350 Camino Vida Roble, Carlsbad, CA
We will have dedicated tables where you can display and give away your product and/or coupons.
There will be a donation drive for Bridge of Hope.
Click here to learn how to become a member!