Investment
Dive into the latest stories, interviews, and discussions relating to investment, funding, and mergers and acquisitions throughout the natural food industry. Explore what the financial future looks like for natural food entrepreneurs in terms of capital availability, deal terms, lending, and the strategic marketplace in order to help shape your planning strategy for the short and medium term.
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Featured Investment Content
Whole Foods Evolves As Natural Merges Into Mass
Amazon is planning to absorb all 100,000 Whole Foods employees, including frontline staff, into its core business structure, per a report this week from Business Insider.
BranchOut Food Gets $2.5M To Expand Production
BranchOut Food received $2.5 million in funding through a common stock sale as it moves to expand its production facility.
Smash Foods Closes Seven-Figure Round To Fuel Further Growth
Smash Foods has closed a seven-figure funding round to expand availability of its superfood spreads and snacks, according to co-founder and chief operating officer Steve Ford. The round was led by Eclair Partners with participation from Label Capital and The Family Fund, alongside a strategic supply chain partner.
Additional Content
Growth Funding and Building a Foundation with Mason Dixie
As a lens for her story, Abuelhiga discusses the methods she used and parameters she laid out for finding the right capital partners — and how she decided that it was the right time for them to invest. The growth of Mason Dixie, a minority-owned, woman-owned business is an inspiring narrative and Abuelhiga’s story takes the audience through its early years to the present.
Popping Into New Ownership: Legacy Popcorn Maker Acquired By Private Equity
Weaver Holdings, the largest manufacturer of popcorn in the U.S., was acquired by AUA Private Equity Partners for an undisclosed amount. The PE firm has a history of acquiring food manufacturers and aims to inject “efficiency” into the fourth-generation, family-owned business.
Rainforest Distribution Acquires New England Distributor Associated Buyers
Rainforest Distribution Corp. has acquired New England natural and specialty foods distributor Associated Buyers, the companies announced this week. According to a press release, the companies will take roughly two months to transition the Associated Buyers’ network into the Rainforest system.
Danone to Divest Horizon Organic, Wallaby to Private Equity Firm
Danone has found a buyer for its premium dairy brands Horizon Organic and Wallaby, announcing today it has agreed to sell the businesses to investment firm Platinum Equity.
DayDayCook Acquires Yai’s Thai
Hong Kong-based DDC Enterprise, which operates the DayDayCook brand, announced today it has acquired Thai American foods brand Yai’s Thai for an undisclosed sum, further expanding its presence in the U.S. market.
Springdale GP: “Creator Space” and Authenticity Key to Investing Strategy
After announcing the closing of its $40 million Fund II yesterday, venture capital firm Springdale Ventures is looking to “double down” on its early stage CPG investment strategy in the new year.
Springdale Ventures Closes $40M Fund II
Founded in 2019, Springdale is a consumer products-focused firm whose portfolio includes over 40 brands, including food and beverage companies such as Better Booch, KOS, Mr. Beast’s Feastables, BEATBOX, and better-for-you snack brand GOODLES.
Chobani Acquires La Colombe in $900 Million Deal
Chobani has paid $900 million to acquire coffee roaster and retailer La Colombe, the company announced today, a move that sees Keurig Dr Pepper, a minority investor in La Colombe, become an equity stakeholder in the yogurt and dairy company.
Meati Beefs Up Investor Roster With Athletes Chris Paul and Aly Raisman
Meati has added two more world-class athletes to its investor group, announcing this morning former Olympian Aly Raisman and NBA All-Star Chris Paul as the latest names to get behind the mycelium-based food startup.
Martie, Ecommerce Discount Grocery Platform, Raises $7M
As it looks to expand its team to match its fast-growing footprint, discount grocery ecommerce platform Martie has raised $7 million in a new funding round led by Upfront Ventures, the company announced this week.