Weekly Update: Innovations and Investments in FoodTech
This week, French foodtech company Fungu’it secured $4.6 million in funding aimed at transforming agricultural by-products using filamentous fungi. In a parallel development, Swedish startup BlueRedGold raised $3.1 million to advance its indoor saffron production utilizing robotics and automation.
In other news, Tetra Pak inaugurated a new tech center designed to expedite the development of fermentation-derived foods, while plant-based innovator Planted opened a state-of-the-art facility for plant-based meat production in southern Germany.
Startup Funding Highlights
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Seafood robotics company Shinkei Systems raises $22 million in Series A funding
Source: SeafoodSource
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Rival Foods raises $11.6 million in Series B funding to scale its shear cell technology for plant-based whole cuts.
Source: AgFunderNews
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Future Fields raised $8 million in Series A funding to expand its fruit fly biomanufacturing platform, responding to clients’ needs for more efficient protein production.
Source: AgFunderNews
[Disclosure: AgFunderNews is an investor in Future Fields.]
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Fungu’it raises $4.6 million to transform agricultural by-products into natural flavorings
Source: Tech.eu
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BlueRedGold raises $3.1 million to commercialize indoor saffron production through robotics and automation
Source: Robotics and Automation News
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Helsinki’s Ovido secures $2.7 million in seed funding to expand its AI-powered compliance platform
Source: Arctic Startup
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St. Louis agtech firm Saluna raises $1.5 million to advance hemp crop development
Source: St.Louis Inno
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Helsinki-based startup Nvelop closes $1.4 million seed round to tackle procurement inefficiencies
Source: Arctic Startup
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Greece’s Plan(e)t Foods raises $1.2 million to scale its functional plant-based ice cream
Source: Vegconomist
Recent M&A, IPOs & Partnerships
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Boards of Arla and DMK Group have approved a merger plan
Source: Arla
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Hoxton Farms partners with Mitsui Chemicals to reduce cultivated fat costs.
Source: AgFunderNews
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Phytoform and Corteva collaborate to enhance disease resistance in corn.
Source: AgFunderNews
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Micropep and Corteva partner to expedite the growth of peptide-based biocontrol solutions.
Source: AgFunderNews
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Infomercial exec Yasir Abdul emerges as a potential buyer for Meati amidst its challenges.
Source: AgFunderNews
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Plant-based brands collaborate in the ‘mature era’ of alt meat with the launch of ‘Juicy Marbles & Friends’.
Source: AgFunderNews
Funds, Grants & Accelerators
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Tetra Pak opens a food technology center to support rapid advancement in fermentation-derived foods.
Source: Protein Production Technology
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Biotope Ventures achieves a $5.8 million first close for Fund II.
Source: The Next Leap
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BOSQAR INVEST raises a record €143.2 million in sustainability-linked bond issuance in Croatia.
Source: Tech.eu
People Moves
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Johan Jörgensen, founder of Sweden Foodtech, announces leadership transition.
Source: LinkedIn
Other Notable News
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FDA declares GM pigs safe for consumption.
Source: Nature.com
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Planted opens a groundbreaking production facility for plant-based meat in southern Germany.
Source: Swiss Food and Nutrition Valley
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Kraft Heinz to eliminate all artificial dyes by 2027.
Source: Bloomberg
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Australia approves cell-based meat for sale, marking a regulatory milestone for startup Vow.
Source: FoodBev Media
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Kipster utilizes in-ovo sexing technology to uphold its no-cull commitment amid infrastructure hurdles.
Source: AgTechNavigator
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Over 100 stakeholders endorse plant-based diets for climate action at the pre-COP30 conference.
Source: Vegconomist
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JD.com aims for expansion into food delivery and global markets.
Source: Tech In Asia
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Zepto is not delaying its IPO plans, seeking the ideal moment to raise $800 million.
Source: Fortune India
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UNLIMEAT launches “bbang,” a Korean-inspired plant-based dessert brand in the U.S.
Source: Newsfile
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New School Foods expands its plant-based manufacturing technology to red meat alternatives.
Source: Ingredients Insight
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Von Holzhausen introduces the “Ripple Shoe” made from biodegradable Liquidplant material.
Source: Vegconomist
