The Week in AgriFoodTech: Key Developments and Funding Highlights
The AgriFoodTech sector witnessed significant developments this week, highlighted by major acquisitions, funding rounds, and innovative initiatives aimed at healthier and sustainable food production.
Major Acquisition in Cultivated Meat
Cultivated meat producer Fork & Good has acquired Orbillion Bio, another player in the cultivated meat space. This acquisition marks a notable move in the consolidation trend within the rapidly evolving industry, aiming to expand Fork & Good’s reach in the global cultivated red meat market.
Innovative Agrifinance Initiative
In a landmark partnership, asset management firms Astarte and Toesca have launched a $100 million fund focused on regenerative agriculture, particularly specializing in the Andean region’s unique crop production. This initiative underscores the growing commitment to sustainable agricultural practices and innovation.
New Labeling Initiative for Healthier Products
The Non-UPF Program has emerged as a significant initiative, claiming to be the first to offer a labeling system for U.S. brands that highlights the absence of ultra-processed ingredients and additives in their products. This initiative aims to promote transparency and healthier alternatives for consumers.
Funding News
- 🇺🇸 Fruitist rides the healthy snacking wave with a remarkable $150M raise, targeting GLP-1 consumers who are increasing their berry purchases. AgFunderNews
- 🇺🇸 Agtonomy secures $18M to enhance AI technology in agricultural equipment. AgFunderNews
- 🇦🇺 Seaweed plastics alternative startup Uluu raises $16 million Series A. Startup Daily
- 🇬🇧 Mondra secures £10M to develop an AI platform that improves supply chain traceability. Vegconomist
- 🇩🇪 Germany’s aevoloop receives €8M for circular plastics innovation. EU Startups
- 🇺🇸 Plastomics raises $5.8M in Series B funding to advance corn chloroplast transformation technology. Pulse2
- 🇸🇪 Arevo secures €7.3M to scale a bio-based fertilizer. AgTech Navigator
- 🇺🇸 BiomEdit raises $2M to develop an AI model targeting cow methane emissions. Inside Indiana Business
- 🇬🇧 SAGES receives £190K for scaling sustainable dye production from food waste. Tech.eu
- 🇰🇪 FarmWorks raises $4.1M in pre-Series A funding to promote sustainable agriculture in Kenya. iGrow News
M&A, IPOs & Partnerships
- 🇺🇸 Fork & Good’s acquisition of Orbillion propels cultivated meat to new heights. Green Queen
- 🇩🇪 🇺🇸 Brenntag partners with Synonym to accelerate bioproduct innovations via “Better with Bio”. World Bio Market Insights
- 🇦🇪 Vivici and The Every Co are exploring a 4M-liter alternative protein facility in the UAE. AgFunderNews
Funds, Grants & Accelerators
🇬🇧 🇨🇱 Astarte and Toesca celebrate a $100M first close on their regenerative agriculture fund. Agri Investor
People Moves
- 🇺🇸 Inari appoints Lisa Nunez Safarian as CEO. Inari
- 🇺🇸 BEAM Circular Accelerator announces Darko Mandich as managing director. Beam Circular
Other News
- 🇺🇸 Beyond Meat faces trial as a rival challenges its trademark. Law 360
- 🇺🇸 PepsiCo revamps its open-source tool for farmer climate adaptation. Edie
- 🇸🇬 Singapore grants approval for Parima cultivated chicken. Alt Meat
- 🇺🇸 A Bay Area grocery store prepares to sell cultivated meat for a limited time. Fast Company
- 🇸🇬 Umami Bioworks aims to expand its AI platform for marine economy advancements. The Fish Site
- 🇺🇸 Food companies now have the opportunity to certify their products as free from ultra-processed ingredients. Food Dive
- 🇺🇸 MyForest Foods highlights its mycelium bacon amidst a cooling alt-meat market. AgFunderNews
- 🇺🇸 Cargill announces layoffs of 80 employees following a sales decline. Biz Journals
The post The Week in AgriFoodTech: Fork & Good acquires Orbillion Bio, $100M regen ag fund, Beyond Meat in court appeared first on AgFunderNews.
