Investments & Acquisitions

Plant Based World Pulse

© Plant Based World Pulse

Emerald Takes Over Plant Based World Expo from JDE as Sector Outgrows Startup Roots

Emerald Holding, Inc., a major producer of trade shows and conferences in the United States, has acquired the Plant Based World Expo (PBW) and its associated media platform, Plant Based World Pulse, from JD Events (JDE). The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The acquisition includes both the North American and European editions of the Plant Based World Expo, as well as the digital content platform PBW Pulse. These assets will now be integrated into Emerald’s portfolio of food-related events, which includes established industry trade shows such as the International Pizza Expo. JDE passes the torch amid rapid growth Plant Based World Expo was launched by JDE in 2019 to provide a business-focused platform for stakeholders in the plant-based sector. JDE Founder and CEO …

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catchfree founders

catchfree founders Severin Eder and Eduard Müller © catchfree

Switzerland’s catchfree Raises CHF 1.2M to Scale Production of Innovative Plant-Based Seafood

Swiss food tech startup catchfree has raised CHF 1.2 million (€1.3 million) in a seed funding round led by FortyOne Group and Stiftung Startfeld. The round also saw participation from industry and private investors, along with various business angels. Founded last year, catchfree develops innovative plant-based seafood alternatives made from ingredients such as rice, soy protein, and algae. The startup’s product portfolio currently includes shrimp, fish burgers, and fish bites. Catchfree will use the new capital investment to scale its production capacity and launch products in Switzerland early this summer. “Today’s environmentally conscious consumers want to enjoy healthier food – for themselves and for the planet,” said Severin Eder, co-founder of catchfree. “That’s exactly what catchfree offers: an alternative that is just as indulgent and …

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DMK GROUP

© DMK GROUP

Europe’s Largest Dairy Cooperative Merger Could Open New Opportunities for Plant-Based Innovation

The DMK Group and Arla Foods have announced their intention to merge, creating Europe’s largest dairy-focused cooperative. The merger, which is subject to approval from both cooperatives’ representative assembly and regulatory authorities, will bring together over 12,000 farmers and achieve pro forma sales of €19 billion. While the merger primarily targets the dairy sector, it also has significant implications for the growing plant-based dairy market. Both companies have increasingly expanded into the plant-based space, and the merger may further accelerate this trend. Expansion of plant-based offerings Arla Foods, traditionally known for its dairy products, has been expanding its plant-based product range in response to the growing demand for vegan alternatives. One of its recent innovations includes the launch of the Arla® Pro soft serve mix, …

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Australian Plant Proteins facility

Image supplied.

Australian Plant Proteins Acquired by My Co. After Entering Voluntary Administration in 2024

Australian Plant Proteins (APP), a producer of high-quality protein isolates, has been acquired by My Co., the investment vehicle of the Paule Family Office. APP is known for its patented fractionation technology, which enables the production of protein isolates from faba beans, yellow peas, lentils, mung beans, and other pulses through a unique extraction process. The clean, non-solvent method produces a highly functional protein isolate containing over 85% protein. APP entered voluntary administration in July of last year after experiencing financial difficulties. My Co. says the acquisition is a strategic move that will support local farmers, protect jobs, and reinforce Australia’s status in the global plant-based food market. “This acquisition opens doors to numerous possibilities for APP,” said Vicky Pappas, CEO of My Co. “With …

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Grassa

© Grassa

Grassa Raises €3.6M to Further Develop Grass Protein Production Technology

Grassa, a Dutch company working to extract protein from grass, has raised €3.6 million to further develop its technology. Investors in the round included Perspectieffonds Gelderland (PFG) — a Gelderland province fund managed by Oost NL — along with existing shareholders Fransen Gerrits and Brightlands Venture Partners. The funding will be used to scale up Grassa’s technology, demonstrate its benefits to dairy farmers, and develop edible grass protein for humans. Grassa’s technology creates “unlocked grass”, which contains less unstable protein than normal grass, along with grass juice, from which protein can be extracted. The unlocked grass reduces methane and nitrogen emissions from cows when used as feed, while the grass protein provides a sustainable alternative to soy protein. Grassa has discovered that 50% of the …

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The Vegetarian Butcher

© The Vegetarian Butcher

Unilever Completes Sale of The Vegetarian Butcher to Vivera

At the end of last year, Unilever announced plans to sell off its plant-based meat brand, The Vegetarian Butcher, as part of its efforts to slim down its portfolio and focus on its core “power brands.” Now, less than 4 months later, Unilever has found a buyer—Dutch plant-based food brand Vivera. The Vegetarian Butcher, which was acquired by Unilever in 2018, has seen substantial growth under the multinational’s ownership. Since the acquisition, the brand expanded into over 55 markets, offering both retail and foodservice products. However, Unilever noted that the brand’s unique supply chain and research and development requirements made it difficult to integrate within the broader Unilever Foods portfolio. This divergence in operational needs was a key factor in the decision to sell. The …

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Elaniti

© Elaniti

Elaniti Raises Funding to Accelerate Soil Microbiome Intelligence, Enabling the Transition to Regenerative Farming

British agritech startup Elaniti has closed a funding round that aims to accelerate the development of its soon-to-launch flagship product, a digital tool enabling agribusinesses to decode the microbial composition of soil. Using AI and DNA sequencing, the tool enables farmers to optimise productivity in both the short term and long term while reducing reliance on synthetic inputs. This could be crucial in transitioning to sustainable, regenerative agriculture and a more plant-based food system. Participants in the funding round included biotope by VIB, Planetary Impact Ventures, and Paulig Group’s CVC arm, PINC. The round adds to non-dilutive funding received by the company from Innovate UK in January, bringing the total amount raised to €1.5 million. Elaniti will use the funding to strengthen its team and …

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AuraLIP

© AuraLIP

AuraLIP Closes First Funding Round for Fermented Hemp Seed Ingredients

French startup AuraLIP, a producer of fermented hemp seed-based ingredients, has announced the completion of its first funding round. The round saw participation from BADGE Business Angels des Grandes Écoles, YES Invest, Food Planet (Yves Schladenhaufen), Femmes Business Angels, FFBB Management (Pierre-Yves Divet), Emmanuel Vasseneix, Cédric Le Rochais, and Jean-Thibault Geerts. The funding will be used to accelerate the development of AuraLIP’s Low Impact Protein, create jobs, and expand internationally. AuraLIP’s hemp seed fermentation technique is said to naturally enhance texture and umami flavor through a fast, sustainable, and easily scalable process. It can also be used to valorize industrial by-products. The resulting ingredients are said to have good nutritional claims, providing a source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. They have relatively short ingredient …

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Cano-ela

© Cano-ela

Cano-ela Raises €1.6M to Extract Innovative Plant-Based Ingredients From Oilseeds

Dutch foodtech startup Cano-ela has raised €1.6 million in a new funding round. Participants included existing investor Oost NL and new investors Value Factory Ventures and Ecoseed. Cano-ela is working to transform underutilized canola seeds into high-value plant-based ingredients by processing them in an innovative way. These ingredients could reportedly be used by food companies to create the next generation of sustainable and natural plant-based foods. The startup aims to improve on existing extraction methods for oilseeds, which only extract one component (vegetable oil) and create big streams with poor functionality. Cano-ela told Silicon Canals that the new funding would allow it to upgrade its pilot facility, increase production capacity, and accelerate collaborations with food producers. “New exciting phase” Cano-Ela’s ingredients include: Worldwide, a few …

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Tiba Tempeh

Founders Alexandra and Ross Longton. © Tiba Tempeh

Tiba Tempeh Secures Over £1.1M in Funding Following 736% Surge in Retail Sales Value

UK tempeh brand Tiba Tempeh has raised over £1.1 million in funding. The round was led by Maven Capital Partners through its Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II, supported by the British Business Bank. Perfect Redd, the venture capital arm of Samworth Brothers, also made a follow-on investment. The funding will be used to enhance Tiba Tempeh’s marketing, sales, and product development, with new product launches planned for 2025. The news comes after Tiba Tempeh saw its retail sales value increase by a huge 736% in the past year, reportedly becoming the fastest growing brand in the UK chilled meat-free category*. The company has contributed £1.2 million in retail sales value over the past year, as demand for less processed meat alternatives continues to rise. Tiba …

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A plant-based pizza topped with Beyond Meat's pepperoni

Image courtesy of Blackbird Foods

Blackbird Foods Announces Acquisition by Ahimsa Companies

US-based vegan food brand Blackbird Foods has announced an acquisition by plant-based investor Ahimsa Companies. Blackbird Foods is well-known for its New York-style hand-tossed frozen pizzas, available US-wide at retailers such as Target, Sprouts, and Whole Foods. The brand also offers plant-based wings made from seitan, which can be found at The Fresh Market and Wegmans. Following the acquisition, Blackbird Foods plans to use Ahimsa’s expertise to enhance its distribution and manufacturing capabilities. “We are eager to tap into Ahimsa’s extensive knowledge to strengthen Blackbird’s presence in the frozen aisle,” said Mike Pease, co-founder of Blackbird Foods. “With their support, we have ambitious plans for growth and exciting product innovations on the horizon.” “Exciting step” Ahimsa Companies was formed in 2024 with the aim of …

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© Raisio Group / Kuvatehdas - Roni Lehti

Raisio Sells Plant Protein Business to Finnish Dairy Giant Valio in €7M Deal

The food company Raisio will sell its plant protein business and the Härkis® and Beanit® brands, under which plant protein products have been marketed, to the Finnish dairy and food company Valio. The price of the deal is €7 million, which will be paid to Raisio in cash upon the transfer of the business. The companies have signed a purchase and sale agreement for the sale of the plant protein business, the related fixed assets and the Härkis® and Beanit® fava bean brands. The fixed assets include, among other things, the equipment of the factory producing plant protein products in Kauhava.  The plant protein business employs 16 people, who will be transferred to Valio as existing employees as part of the deal. Raisio has been a …

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Allplants

© Plants

Ella Mills Acquires Allplants and Plans a New Direction for the Brand

Ella Mills, the founder of Deliciously Ella, has personally acquired the Allplants brand and its associated assets after the plant-based ready-meal company entered administration in late 2024. This acquisition, announced today, will see Allplants integrated into Mills’ existing business, Plants, which she co-owns with her husband Matthew. Founded in 2016 by brothers Alex and Jonathan Petrides, Allplants made its mark in the UK with its plant-based, ready-to-eat meals. Despite early success, the company faced financial difficulties, ultimately leading to its administration in November 2024. During this period, Allplants had to make 65 employees redundant as it dealt with declining consumer demand and a series of sustained losses. In a statement shared on LinkedIn, Jonathan Petrides reflected on the company’s journey from its beginnings to serving …

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Jay&Joy

© Jay&Joy

Jay&Joy Doubles Capacity With Acquisition of Les Nouveaux Affineurs and €2M Investment

Jay&Joy, a French company specializing in plant-based cheese alternatives, has announced the acquisition of its competitor, Les Nouveaux Affineurs, alongside a €2 million funding round. The acquisition, supported by a €2 million funding round, expands Jay&Joy’s production capacity and product range in France and across Europe. Since CEO César Augier assumed leadership in 2023, Jay&Joy has revitalized its production processes, reestablished distribution channels, and initiated market expansion both domestically and internationally. The recent acquisition adds a production facility in Ivry-sur-Seine, complementing the existing site in Lacroix-Saint-Ouen, and retains 10 jobs from Les Nouveaux Affineurs. Augier stated, “Our ambition is clear: to offer exceptional plant-based alternatives while preserving our traditional know-how and accelerating our European expansion. This acquisition marks a crucial step in strengthening our leadership …

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The New Originals Company

M. Krön and M. Robin © The New Originals

The New Originals Company Expands Tofu Portfolio with SoFine Acquisition

The New Originals Company is further expanding its expertise in the tofu convenience category with the acquisition of SoFine. With the acquisition of the established SoFine brand and the production facility in Landgraaf, the Netherlands, the New Originals Company aims to strengthen its innovative capabilities and expand its expertise with an extended product portfolio. Matthias Krön, CEO of The New Originals Company, stated, “We are very pleased to be sustainably expanding our expertise with the new site and almost one hundred highly qualified employees. With SoFine, we are expanding our portfolio with important innovations such as sliced tofu, diced tofu, minced tofu and tofu in water packs, and can thus contribute to the further development of the entire category. “The plant in Landgraaf complements our …

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Project Eaden ham

© Project Eaden

Project Eaden’s Textile-Inspired Tech Raises €15M to Scale Next-Gen Whole Cuts

Berlin-based climate tech startup Project Eaden has closed a €15 million oversubscribed Series A funding round to accelerate the European retail launch of its plant-based meat alternatives. Using proprietary fiber spinning technology inspired by the textile industry, the company aims to produce ultra-realistic plant-based whole cuts, starting with ham, for mainstream consumers. The Series A round was led by Planet A and REWE Group, with additional support from DeepTech & Climate Fonds (DTCF), Happiness Capital, and AgriFoodTech Venture Alliance. Existing investors FoodLabs and Creandum also participated in the funding round, which brings the company’s total capital raised to €27 million since its founding in 2022. Commenting on the investment, Christoph Gras, general partner at Planet A, stated: “Research suggests that plant-based products could replace 11–22% …

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Misha's acquires dairy-free cheese brand Vertage

Image: Vertage on Facebook

Misha’s Announces Strategic Acquisition of Non-Dairy Cheese Producer Vertage

US plant-based foods company Misha’s has announced the acquisition of non-dairy cheese producer Vertage. The strategic acquisition will see Misha’s expand its product line to shredded and sliced plant-based cheeses through Vertage’s current offerings. Misha’s will also benefit from Vertage’s partnership with vertically integrated fresh produce provider Fresh Del Monte, gaining access to the latter’s comprehensive logistics network. This includes production facilities, advanced technology, and logistics capabilities managed by Fresh Del Monte’s inland logistics arm, Tricont Trucking and Logistics. Misha’s will use Fresh Del Monte’s production capabilities to launch new product lines, while the logistics network will help to streamline Misha’s supply chain and enable expansion into new regions. Shared mission Fresh Del Monte and Vertage first announced their partnership in 2023, saying that their …

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Narayan Group

© Narayan Group

Narayan Group Set to Be Acquired by Edible Garden Following Signing of Non-Binding Letter of Intent

Narayan Group, a Slovenia-based producer of organic coconut and superfood products, has announced a planned acquisition by Edible Garden AG Incorporated. The two companies have signed a non-binding letter of intent to enter into a share purchase agreement that would see Edible Garden — a leader in controlled environment agriculture (CEA) and locally grown, organic, and sustainable produce — acquire the outstanding share capital of Narayan Group and its subsidies. The shareholders of Narayan Group will then become the controlling shareholders of Edible Garden. Narayan Group achieved over $22 million in revenue in the first nine months of 2024 and expects fourth-quarter revenue in excess of $9.5 million. With the help of the company’s vertically integrated supply chain and leadership in the European market, along …

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ICL X plantible

© ICL

ICL Increases Investment in Plantible Foods, Strengthening Partnership on Innovative Protein Ingredients

ICL, a global leader in specialty minerals, has announced an additional investment in Plantible Foods as part of the company’s ongoing Series B funding round. This investment builds on ICL’s initial involvement in Plantible’s Series A, further strengthening their strategic collaboration. The follow-up investment is part of ICL’s broader strategy to support the growth of Plantible Foods, a company specializing in plant-based protein technology leveraging Lemna, also known as duckweed. The partnership between the two companies has gained momentum following the launch of Rovitaris Binding Solution in October 2023, an innovative ingredient powered by Rubi Protein, a plant-based protein derived from lemna, which was developed by Plantible. Rovitaris was recently recognized for its innovation at the SupplySide West (SSW) conference in November 2024, where it …

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© Yeastup

Yeastup Raises €9.47M to Turn Dairy Site Into Facility Upcycling Spent Brewers’ Yeast

Switzerland’s Yeastup, a company that extracts functional ingredients from spent brewers’ yeast using a patented process, has raised CHF 8.9 million (€9.47 million) in Series A funding. The funding will enable Yeastup to repurpose a former Swiss dairy facility into a large-scale production site with the capacity to upcycle over 20,000 tons of spent brewers’ yeast per year. The facility will require limited capital expenditure while benefiting from top-quality equipment. The new site will help to meet the significant demand for Yeastup’s products while serving as a reference site for global scaling efforts. To ensure cost competitiveness, Yeastup has established several strategic partnerships in supply and engineering. Investors that have provided funding to Yeastup include Beyond Impact, Gentian Investments, Newtree Impact, and Angel House. Various …

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