Portfolio News
Meatless Farm Launches New Plant-Based Breakfast Product in Canada in Partnership With National Foodservice Distributors
Meatless Farm, an SDC portfolio company, has partnered with leading foodservice distributors, to bring new meat-free breakfast sausage patties to Canada. Link
Much Anticipated Launch of Hooray Foods’ Plant-Based Bacon to Take Place on World Vegan Day 1st November
Hooray Foods plant-based bacon will launch on World Vegan Day, November 1st! Hooray Foods bacon will be in seven regions of the USA through a distribution partnership with Whole Foods. Link
Vegan Meat Company Meatless Farm Closes $31 Million Funding Round As Meatless Diets Gain Popularity
Strong demand for plant-based foods has led SDC portfolio company, Meatless Farm, founded in 2016, to become the UK’s leading vegan meat producer. They recently closed a $31M funding round to support global growth. Link
Vegan tuna melts just launched at Veggie Grill outlets across the US
Veggie Grill, Inc. teamed up with plant-based seafood maker and SDC portfolio company, Good Catch Foods, to add a new vegan tuna melt sandwich to its menu. The plant-based option is healthier than conventional seafood and free from mercury and other toxins. Link
Barvecue: “The Word Excited Doesn’t Begin to Express How We Feel About the Possibility of Having an Impact in the Plant-Based Space”
North Carolina based SDC portfolio company, Barvecue, produces a wood-smoked vegan pulled pork from soy and wheat, and is proud to produce with clean-label, non-GMO, US grown ingredients. Link
World Plant-Based Awards 2020 winners revealed!
Congratulations to Alpha Foods, Meatless Farm, Good Catch Foods, and Hooray Foods – SDC portfolio companies which were all named as winners, or finalists, in the 2020 World Plant-Based Awards! Link
Lab-grown meat: The promising alternative that may be years away from appearing on dinner plates
PitchBook Data recently profiled the burgeoning cultivated meat industry with input from two Stray Dog Capital portfolio companies: Aleph Farms and Memphis Meats. Link
Daring Receives $8 Million For Expansion, New Product To Launch Soon
Daring, which makes plant-based chicken pieces, announced last week that it raised an $8 million Series A round of funding. Stray Dog Capital invested alongside other notable VC firms in support of this promising company. Link
STARBUCKS IS NOW TESTING VEGAN MIYOKO’S CREAM CHEESE
Starbucks is now testing vegan cream cheese from Miyoko’s Creamery at one location east of Seattle. The 1.5-ounce packages come in exclusive Everything and Cinnamon Raisin flavors and retail for $1. Link
Geltor Appoints Biotechnology Pioneer Doug Cameron to Board of Directors
“Geltor Inc.’s focus on designing proteins, and in particular non-animal proteins with profound positive impacts on the environment and nutrition, aligns with what I view to be one of the most promising solutions for the future of food,” said new board member, Doug Cameron. Link
BlueNalu: The cell-based company about to make waves in the seafood segment
SDC portfolio company, BlueNalu is on track to commercialize the world’s first seafood product made from cultivated fish cells – mahi-mahi, a US favorite, particularly in San Diego, BlueNalu’s headquarters. Link
Miyoko’s Creamery plans to expand staff 25% at larger Sonoma County plant
Miyoko’s Creamery plans to expand its Petaluma operations by 2/3 and its workforce by 1/4 to satisfy demand for its plant-based products. “It’s an exciting time for our company,” said founder Miyoko Schinner. Link
21st-Century Farming: A Manifesto
Read about how SDC portfolio company, VitroLabs Inc, sees the world of cultivated animal products and the journey forward, as a company, and as a broader movement and mindset. Link
New Zealand & Australia – New Report Finds Plant Meats “Nutritionally Superior” to Animal Products
Food Frontier, an alternative proteins think tank in Australia and New Zealand, analyzed the health and nutrition of plant-based meat products citing Sunfed Meats, a SDC portfolio company, and Fable Foods as the biggest plant-meat brands in the region. Key findings reveal that: • Plant-based meats are nutritionally superior or comparable to conventional meat equivalents […]
How Gathered Foods got its new factory running during a pandemic
Despite the challenges of coronavirus, Good Catch Foods’s newly built 42,500-square-foot plant opened on time. It has been producing plant-based seafood since May with best-in-class safety measures in place. Link
KITE HILL TO LAUNCH VEGAN CULTURED ALMOND MILK BUTTER AT TARGET
Recently, SDC portfolio company Kite Hill debuted its newest product, Plant-Based Butter Alternative, exclusively at nationwide Whole Foods Market stores and will soon launch their new vegan butter at Target. Link
Geltor Raises $91.3 Million Series B Funding To Accelerate Development Of Animal-Free Ingredients
Biodesign startup Geltor, an early SDC investment, has raised a $91.3 million series B funding, led by fellow alternative protein investor CPT Capital with significant commitment from WTT Investment Ltd. Link
Venture Investors Double Their Bets on Faux Meat Startups
More than 20 alternative meat startups raised about $1.4 billion from venture investors in the first seven months of 2020, according to a report from London-based investor network Farm Animal Investment Risk & Return, known as FAIRR. Link
Beyond Meat partners with Social Change Fund to fight racial inequality
Beyond Meat Inc., a leader in plant-based meat, and non-profit Social Change Fund have formed a partnership to fight disparities in the Black community through initiatives tied to social justice, education, and health equity. Link
Food technology – the protein alternative for a better future
“The development of alternative proteins is turning out to be one of the most important missions of our generation,” says Prof. Yaacov Nahmias, head of the bioengineering department at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. “In one stroke, this class of technologies can both help slow down climate change and ensure the nutritional security of future […]
Grounded Foods: “Do you Realise What You’ve Done? This Could be Huge”
After closing an over-subscribed seed round led by Stray Dog Capital, Grounded Foods co-founders Veronica Fil and Shaun Quade spoke with Vegconomist about their products, their goals, and the future of plant-based cheese. Link
Call It ‘Cell-Based’: New Study Looks At Selling Seafood Grown From Cells
Commissioned by the cell-based seafood maker BlueNalu, Rutgers University psychologist, William K. Hallman, PhD, tested the reactions of 3,000+ participants to seven possible product names. The term “cell-based” was found to the clearest and least confusing. Link
Plant-based cheese maker Grounded Foods raises $1.74M Seed round led by Stray Dog Capital
Stray Dog Capital announced Monday that it is the lead investor in the Series Seed round for Grounded Foods. “We are always looking for extraordinary players in the plant-based cheese category, and Grounded’s product and team exceeded our expectations in taste, creativity and strategy,” said Johnny Ream, Principal. Link
Stray Dog Capital Leads a $2M Investment Round For Plant-Based Barbecue Innovators Barvecue
Stray Dog Capital’s Principal, Johnny Ream will join Barvecue’s Board of Directors. “We’re really excited to partner with the company and help bring Barvecue’s products to thousands of locations in the U.S. and beyond.” Link
BlueNalu partners with Pulmuone to gain access to Asian markets
“This agreement with Pulmuone represents our shared values and respect for healthy families, a healthy ocean, and a healthy planet,” said Lou Cooperhouse, president and CEO of BlueNalu a Stray Dog Capital portfolio company. Link
US firm launches frozen plant-based seafood analog entrees, apps
Gathered Foods, Stray Dog Capital portfolio company and the manufacturer of Good Catch plant-based seafood, is launching a new line of frozen seafood entrees and appetizers. Link
Leading in a Time of Uncertainty and Speaking up About Diversity
Madeline Haydon, Founder and CEO of nutpods discusses the impact of COVID-19 on her business and her response to the wave of protests calling for racial justice following the murder of George Floyd. Link
Kite Hill Launches a New Cultured Vegan Butter at Whole Foods and Target
Kite Hill’s new butter offers a luxurious, creamy texture and the rich, European-style flavor you expect from animal butter, but without cows. Made from cultured almond milk, sunflower and coconut oils, it is sure to delight planet conscious epicureans everywhere. Link
Purple Carrot Brings Plant-Based Frozen Meals to Whole Foods
Plant-based meal-kit provider Purple Carrot has launched a line of single-serve meals for sale in the frozen food sections of “most Whole Foods Market stores across the country.” Vegan convenience has never been easier. Link
Beyond Meat Speaks to Vegconomist on Expansion into European Market: “We Have Strong Ambitions in Europe”
Beyond Meat’s Chief Growth Officer, Chuck Muth discusses their new facility in the Netherlands, expansion into the European market, price parity, and the new even “meatier” recipe. Link
Round one goes to Miyoko’s in ‘plant-based butter’ dispute with State of California
Miyoko’s has won round one in its legal fight with the State of California over its use of the term ‘butter’ on a plant-based product after a court rejected the State’s bid to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the brand in February. Link
Nutriati launches proprietary chickpea ingredient for plant-based meats
Leveraging its custom chickpea ingredient technology, Nutriati, the manufacturing and technology partner of PLT Health Solutions, is introducing a new ingredient for plant-based, meat analogue solutions such as hamburgers, meatballs and pizza toppings, chicken, fish and pork products. Link
6 Israeli companies selected as tech pioneers by World Economic Forum
6 Israeli companies selected as tech pioneers by World Economic Forum Link
Blue Nalu set for 6-fold expansion
BlueNalu, a Stray Dog Capital portfolio company, has signed a lease for an expansion to its administrative, R&D and manufacturing space with a new facility in San Diego. BlueNalu has also recently expanded its team in its project management, technology, product development, and engineering areas, and anticipates doubling its staff to approximately 50 team members […]
Kiwi Company’s meatless bacon hitting supermarket shelves soon
Sunfed, a Stray Dog Capital portfolio company, is due to launch a new product line of plant-based bacon in New Zealand stores next week. Link
Beyond Meat Announces Burgers for $1.60 to Make Plant-Based BBQing Affordable for the Season
Available at Walmart, Target, and additional retailers in the US from the week of June 22, a limited-edition value pack of Beyond Burgers, called the Cookout Classic Value Pack, has been introduced in order to narrow the price gap between plant-based meat and animal protein for barbecue season. Link
Beyond Meat expands into Europe with new Dutch facility
Plant-based burger maker Beyond Meat is opening its first production facility in Europe as Covid-19 causes demand to spike for its products. Link
Leeds-based Meatless Farm lands major Tesco deal
From June 17 Meatless Farm’s plant-based mince, burger patties and sausages will be available in 117 of Tesco’s largest stores, stretching from Hastings to Dundee. Link
BlueNalu secures investment from Sumitomo Corporation of Americas
Sumitomo Corporation of Americas (SCOA) has announced that it has invested in BlueNalu, the San Diego, California, U.S.A.-based company that is researching how to create cell-based seafood products. Link
‘Meat the Future’: Film Review
New documentary “Meat the Future” teaches about cellular agriculture, and features portfolio company Memphis Meat’s CEO and scientists in doing so. Link
Good PLANeT Foods raises $12M to expand its plant-based empire
Allergen-friendly plant-based cheese brand GOOD PLANeT Foods has raised $12m in a series A round led by Cleveland Avenue, and supported by GreatPoint Ventures, Tasseo Consumer, Stray Dog Capital, and Lever VC. Link
Plant-based seafood Good Catch hooks a round of celebrity investors
Stray Dog Capital portfolio company Gathered Foods, the makers of Good Catch plant-based tuna, announced celebrities Woody Harrelson, Shailene Woodley, Paris Hilton and Lance Bass have invested in the company shortly after a $32M series B funding round this January. Link
A compelling case for cellular aquaculture
One of Stray Dog Capital’s portfolio companies Blue Nalu is on the forefront of innovation – read more about why Paul Cuatrecasas, founder and CEO of Aquaa Partners, thinks the cellular aquaculture market will grow to generate over a trillion dollars a year within the next decade. Link
Aleph Farms to go carbon-neutral
“Aleph Farms, Ltd., announced a goal to eliminate emissions associated with its meat production by 2025. The cultivated meat startup also plans to achieve the same net-zero emissions across its entire supply chain by 2030. The company’s new sustainability initiatives come as it gears up to begin active pilot-plant operations. It currently is working with […]
Starbucks to debut Beyond Meat products in China as part of coffee chain’s sustainability push
“Starbucks will debut Beyond Meat products on its menu in China on Wednesday. The global coffee chain created three dishes made with Beyond’s beef alternative and two made with a pork alternative from Hong Kong-based Omnipork as part of a far-reaching goal to become “resource positive.” Starbucks will also offer Oatly’s oat milk as a […]
No Evil Foods Donates Over 3,000 Pounds of Plant-Based Meat Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
“No Evil Foods, the scratch-made plant-based meat company, announced that they will continue to donate a portion of their products to support those in need throughout the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. At a time when demand for food is growing by the day, those in need are finding it increasingly difficult to find high-quality […]
Geltor Announces First Biocompatible Elastin for Skincare Market
“Biodesign company Geltor today announced Elastapure™, the newest ingredient in its portfolio of bioidentical active ingredients for the cosmetics industry. The first ever human elastin designed for topical skincare, Elastapure™ is the latest ingredient technology developed using Geltor’s biodesign platform. (PRNewsfoto/Geltor) A major component of human skin, elastin functions alongside collagen in the body and […]
GOOD PLANeT Introduces Plant-Based Frozen Pizza Featuring Beyond Meat
GOOD PLANeT Foods, a premium plant-based food company known for its environmentally-friendly, delicious and meltable cheeses, has introduced Plant-Based Frozen Pizza, featuring industry pioneer, Beyond Meat. This innovation speaks to the changing category, being plant-based, kosher, halal, gluten free and Non-GMO Project Verified, as well as free from the top eight most common allergens. Soon […]
Alpha Foods Raises $28M of Series A Capital in Funding Round
Alpha Foods, makers of convenient plant-based foods, today announced it raised $28 million in a funding round led by AccelFoods (AF), a leading venture capital fund and first institutional investor in prominent food and beverage companies such as Four Sigmatic and Koia. With this latest round of funding, AccelFoods, with mostly existing investment partners, including […]
Memphis Meats Raises $161 Million In Funding, Aims To Bring Cell-Based Products To Consumers
Memphis Meats, one of the leading cell-based meat, poultry and seafood companies, has just announced the close of a $161 million funding round. This breakthrough round marks the largest funding moment in the history of the cell-based meat industry, and will likely enable Memphis Meats to reach the historic milestone of bringing its products to […]
BlueNalu Announces Strategic Partnership with Nutreco
“BlueNalu, a leading innovative food company developing seafood products directly from fish cells, today announced a strategic partnership with Nutreco, a global leader in animal nutrition and aquafeed. Nutreco’s aquafeed company, Skretting, is a world leader in the manufacture and supply of aquaculture feeds and an important link in the feed-to-food chain. The two companies […]
Plant-Based Food Tech Company Good Catch® Secures Over $32M In Series B Financing Round
” Gathered Foods, makers of Good Catch® plant-based seafood products, today announced the closing of an oversubscribed Series B funding round, which includes two key strategic industry investors: Greenleaf Foods and 301 INC, the venture arm of General Mills. Led by Stray Dog Capital and Rocana Ventures and including several prominent impact investors such as […]