BevNET
GoodBelly Lands $12M Round, Led By 301 Inc.
Today NextFoods Inc, the producer of GoodBelly Probiotics, announced the close of a $12 million round of funding led by 301 Inc, the venture arm of General Mills.
Carol Ortenberg
Posts by Carol Ortenberg
Thrive Creators Build Mission With Venture Arm & Alliance
In the past month, the three co-founders of retailer Thrive Market have announced two platforms to improve the food system and the planet. After launching Thrive Market Ventures (TMV), an investment vehicle for better-for-you brands, earlier this month, the trio announced last week the creation of a philanthropic community called Alliance for Good (AFG).
Bonafide Beefs Up Offerings & Brand
Yesterday, bone broth company Bonafide Provisions unveiled a new brand identity, including a rebrand of its bone broth and “drinkable veggies” lines, and a new line of frozen soups.
Almanac Launches Fund for Scalable & Sustainable Businesses
Today, David Barber, co-owner of restaurants Blue Hill and Blue Hill at Stone Barns, announced the launch of Almanac Investments, a $30 million fund for agriculture and hospitality technology, CPG, and experiential retail companies.
Urban Remedy Raises $17M for Fresh-Focused Platform
Today, “ultra-fresh” food and beverage producer Urban Remedy announced it had closed a $17 million round of capital, with General Mills' venture arm, 301 INC, leading the round.
Former WFM Co-CEO: HeatGenie Makes Customer ‘Center of World’
In bringing on an experienced team of industry experts as advisors and, in some cases, investors, technology company HeatGenie -- which produces small heaters that can be used to warm food or beverage products -- is betting that they’ve found just that.
Powerful Raises $4M, Plans to Launch Water & Smoothie
CEO and founder Carlos Ramirez said the company is working on a new line called Powerful Water, which will feature added collagen protein and electrolytes.
CircleUp Closes $125M Fund Powered by Machine Learning
CircleUp is hitching its growth fund to Helio. The online fundraising platform today announced the launch of a $125 million venture capital fund that will incorporate the proprietary machine learning platform as a tool to help guide investment in early-stage consumer and retail companies.
With Summit, Kroger Looks to Natural Brands for Innovation
While some retailers are scaling back on stocking local brands, Kroger is going full force in the opposite direction, looking to up-and-coming, natural innovators for inspiration.
Kerry Group Grabs Ganeden
At a presentation to investors yesterday, Kerry Group CEO Edmond Scalon announced that the Irish global nutrition and food conglomerate had acquired Ganeden, an ingredient company focused primarily on gut health and probiotics.
VMG Closes New $550M Fund to Invest In Entrepreneurial Brands
This week private equity investment group VMG Partners announced the close of its fourth fund at $550 million, with another $150 million available in a flex-up vehicle. The capital, said VMG Managing Director Wayne Wu, will be invested in emerging, lower middle market companies producing consumable branded goods.
Matt Jimenez Departs Whole Foods
Today in a letter to suppliers, Matt Jimenez, global senior category manager for grocery at Whole Foods Market, announced his departure. Jimenez’s last day will be tomorrow, and he said he will take a few weeks off before “launching his next venture.”
Key Takeaways From Whole Foods’ Dialogue with Employees
Following the Friday announcement that e-commerce pioneer Amazon would be purchasing natural products retailer Whole Foods Market, there has been rampant discussion over what the merger means for the retailer and industry. In communications to team members, both through email and a “town hall meeting” at Whole Foods headquarters, some information has come to light.
In-Depth: Why Amazon Scooped Up Whole Foods
In a deal that’s shaking the shopping experience for consumers, retailers, and food and beverage companies, Amazon’s scooping up of Whole Foods for $13.7 billion on Friday has hardened talk of large-scale disruption in the way consumers buy their groceries.
