Swedish oat milk pioneer Oatly has reportedly sold a $200 million stake to a group of investors led by Blackstone Group Inc which includes Oprah Winfrey, Natalie Portman, former Starbucks chief Howard Schultz and Jay-Z. Oatly’s value now stands at roughly $2 billion according to the Dow Jones.
“It is my belief that capital has to turn green and do so for the right reasons,” Oatly CEO Toni Petersson said in a statement. Click here to read Petersson’s interview with vegconomist last year where he outlines his vision of a “Post-Milk Generation.”
Speaking to vegconomist last month about the company’s “Transfarmation” initiative whereby dairy farmers are transitioned into the cultivation of oats, Sustainability Manager Carina Tollmar stated, “It is a lot about challenging and trying out new ways to try to build sustainable businesses – some trials will fail but some will succeed and will hopefully inspire others – that is being a catalyst for a positive change. To be a catalyst, you have to dare to try new ways of working”
