In This Issue:
CPG Corporate Venture and Private Equity Fund
This week's featured corporate venture and private equity fund is BRF S.A.
- BRF S.A., based in Brazil, is one of the largest global food companies. It has over 90,000 employees in more than 120 countries.
- With global performance, BRF builds brands considering the particularities of each market.
- BRF offers more than 3,000 products, with emphasis on flavor and quality.
- Some of the portfolio companies include:
- Claybom
- Banvit
- Deline
- Borella
- Qualy
- Sadia
- Perdigão
- Bom Sabor
- Confidence
- Kidelli
Links to Relevant Content and Events
ARTICLES
- California's Baden Capital Acquires Crop Protection Specialist in Farming Push
- Peoples Company Acquires UFARM in Strategic Land Management Deal
- Solina Acquires Advanced Food Systems
- Merger Creates Tandem Foods
- Chipotle is Investing in Cow Burp Reduction
- genXtraits & Solis Agrosciences Partner to Accelerate Crop Development
- Narayan Group Set to Be Acquired by Edible Garden Following Signing of Non-Binding Letter of Intent
- Colossal Biosciences Raises $200 Million at $10.2 Billion Valuation to Bring Back Woolly Mammoths
UPCOMING EVENTS
Every Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday from 11:00 am - 12:15 pm PT
A series of in-depth conversations exploring the financing and mindset journeys of CPG companies, featuring CPG founders and industry experts. This event is FREE for all who register, allowing access to both the live events and the recordings through to May 31, 2025.
Naturally Network
2025 Natural Products Industry Update
Tuesday, January 28 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. CT
Join Naturally Network's 2025 Natural Products Industry Update, where industry leaders will convene to share valuable insights and strategies for the year ahead. This gathering is your opportunity to stay informed, learn from experts, and gain the knowledge needed to stay competitive in an ever-changing market.
Don't miss out on this chance to connect with peers, explore key trends, and access valuable resources.
Speakers:
- Sean Conner, Co-Founder, Chief Progress Officer of ForceBrands
- Scott Dicker, Market Insights Director of SPINS
- Bob Durkin, Partner and Co-Chair of the Regulatory Group at Amin Wasserman Gurnani
- Valerie Hawks, Head of Production & Sustainability
- Loren Israelsen, United Natural Products Alliance
- Stephanie Jerger, Vice President of Operations at Organic Trade Association
- Annalea Krebs, Founder and CEO of Social Nature
- Jeff Lawrence, Growth Solutions Manager at KeHE
- Vince Tseng, Co-Founder & CEO of Partnerslate
Naturally Chicago
CHICAGO SEED CO. 2.0 Introductory Reception for Food & Natural Products Investors
Tuesday, January 28 | 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. CT
Location: Wells Fargo, 10 S. Wacker, 14th Floor, Chicago, IL
Naturally Chicago and Wells Fargo invite you to a reception welcoming investors focused on Good Food companies. Join Chicago Seed Co members and other investors to launch Chicago Seed Co 2.0 – the premier investor network supporting food, beverage and natural product companies.
Naturally Colorado
Denver Beer Co. Networking Collision
Wednesday, January 29 | 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. MT
Location: Denver Beer Co., 5768 Olde Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada, CO
Welcome to Naturally Colorado'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.
Naturally Network
Naturally Rising: The Conscious Business Pitch Competition
Thursday, January 30 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CT
Join Naturally Network for an engaging info session to learn all about Naturally Rising: The Conscious Business Pitch Competition—Naturally Network's premier competition for emerging, purpose-driven brands in the natural products industry. This session will walk you through the program's goals, application process, and the incredible opportunities it offers to elevate your brand.
Naturally Rising focuses on retail readiness and highlights companies that exemplify passion, purpose, and a commitment to people and the planet. Whether you're an entrepreneur with a growing brand or just curious about how the competition works, this is the perfect chance to gain insight, ask questions, and connect with the community.
If you're ready to rise to the next level, this info session will guide you on how to get there.
Naturally San Diego
R&D Credit + Tax Offset: RSM Webinar
Thursday, January 30 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. PT
Join RSM and Naturally San Diego to learn about the Key Changes to Research Credit Election Available to Qualified Small Businesses for Payroll Tax Credit Implemented by the Inflation Reduction Act.
Speakers:
- Nick Avakian, RSM
- Talia Kirstein, RSM
Naturally Bay Area
Preparing for the Unexpected: Planning for a Product Recall
Thursday, January 30 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. PT
Join Naturally Bay Area for an interactive session where industry experts will guide you through key recall classifications (Class 1, 2, 3 & market withdrawal) and essential steps to safeguard your business. Learn how to build a proactive recall plan, review key contracts, assess insurance coverage, and understand the true costs of a recall. They will walk through a real-world scenario involving mislabeled products and answer the audience's burning questions during an extended Q&A. Don't miss this chance to arm your brand with the knowledge to face a recall head-on.
Speakers:
- Brandon Hernandez, Senior Partner at Whole Brain Consulting
- Peter Picetti, Sr. VP at Heffernan Insurance Brokers
Naturally Seattle
January CPG Connect
Thursday, January 30 | 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. PT
Location: Armistice Coffee Roosevelt, 6717 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA
Naturally Seattle's CPG Connect Series is held on the third Thursday of every month. This gathering is more than just a networking event—it's a beacon for those who champion natural, organic, and better-for-you products within the Consumer Packaged Goods industry. Whether you're a seasoned CPG veteran or just beginning your journey, you'll find your people here.
Naturally Los Angeles
Abex Exhibits Panel
Thursday, January 30 | 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. PT
Location: Stubbs Alderton & Markiles, LLP, 3rd Street Promenade 1316, Santa Monica, CA
Join Naturally LA for an actionable discussion featuring Robbie Blumenfeld, CEO of Abex Exhibits, Dayton Miller, Managing Partner at Boulder Food Group, and John Cochran, Operating Partner at Willow Growth Partners. They'll share how food and beverage brands can strategically leverage trade shows to attract investors, secure funding, and fuel expansion.
Learn how to craft trade show experiences that resonate with investors, build meaningful connections, and turn on-the-floor buzz into funding opportunities. Using real-world examples from top events like Natural Products Expo West, this session will tie together the art of trade show execution with the science of raising capital.
Naturally New York
2025 Town Hall
Friday, January 31 | 12:30 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. ET
Join Naturally New York for an interactive session where we'll dive into Naturally New York's exciting growth in 2024 and share what's on the horizon for the year ahead!
Speakers:
- Adrienne DeLisio, Executive Director of Naturally New York
- Eric Schnell, NNY Board Co-Chair and Founder of BeyondBrands