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- by Elaine Watson"What gives me the most hope is how quickly the science is moving across all the alt protein categories we focus on at GFI," says CEO Nigel Sizer. The post There’s no elephant in the alt protein room, says GFI CEO Nigel Sizer, but change takes time and money appeared first on AgFunderNews.
- by Jennifer MarstonThe company will expand its AI software and services for ag machinery to the Southeastern US and Australia. The post Agtonomy bags $18m to bring more AI to ‘the next frontier of automation’: agricultural equipment appeared first on AgFunderNews.
- by Sponsored PostThe traditional sourcing and supply playbook that once defined CPG and food retail is no longer relevant, says agtech veteran Cropin. The post How PepsiCo, Walmart and other agrifood companies fortify their supply chains with AI appeared first on AgFunderNews.
- by Jennifer MarstonFood companies must address risks in the meat industry related to both changing consumer preference trends and supply chain vulnerabilities. The post Investors call for more plant-based proteins from food manufacturers and retailers: FAIRR appeared first on AgFunderNews.
- by Elaine WatsonWhile many alt meat brands are “seeing slower velocity and reduced shelf space,” MyForest Foods “continues to grow, helping keep the category afloat with products that deliver real satisfaction in flavor and texture,” claims Eben Bayer. The post MyForest Foods’ mycelium bacon sizzles as alt meat market cools appeared first on AgFunderNews.
- by Elaine WatsonAlexandre Bastos: "If a startup says, You guys know a lot, you have a lot of capabilities, a lot of scientists… but essentially, I need cash, we'll probably say, OK, maybe we are not the best partners for you right now." The post 🎥 How does front end innovation work at Givaudan? In conversation with Alexandre Bastos appeared first on AgFunderNews.
- by Elaine WatsonTwo key areas of focus for Peakbridge are the "intersection of health and nutrition, and the usage of AI and Gen AI in the value chain process in food," says Nadav Berger. The post PeakBridge’s Nadav Berger on people, partnerships, and portfolio discipline: ‘At the end of the day, we’re in the business of HR’ appeared first on AgFunderNews.
- by Elaine Watson“The emirate provides a unique combination of capital, talent and infrastructure that enables rapid growth," says Vivici CEO Stephan van Sint Fiet. The post Breaking: Vivici and The Every Co explore 4m-liter alt protein facility in UAE appeared first on AgFunderNews.
- by Jennifer MarstonPlus: The EU makes a U-turn on its deforestation U-turn. The post The Week in AgriFoodTech: Bezos Earth Fund sets up $30m AI ‘challenge,’ Nutropy nets $8m appeared first on AgFunderNews.
- by Elaine Watson'I tell every one of my startups, get out of VC world as fast as you can. It's the most expensive capital in the world,' says IndieBio SF's managing director. The post Po Bronson on surviving the agrifoodtech venture downturn, ‘non-rigorous thinking,’ and ‘weapons of mass dilution’ appeared first on AgFunderNews.
- by Jennifer MarstonDespite VC funding declines, growing consensus is that robotics and automation are "integral to modern agriculture." The post Farm robotics in the weeds as funding declines 36% from Q2 to Q3 appeared first on AgFunderNews.
- by Elaine WatsonWhile vegans and consumers with dairy allergies and intolerances are still looking for non-dairy cheeses, says the firm, the hoped-for surge in interest from flexitarians has simply failed to materialize. The post Plant-based cheese startup Stockeld Dreamery shutters as flexitarian dream fizzles appeared first on AgFunderNews.
- by Elaine WatsonThe selling price will be "in line with the market price of whey protein isolate and concentrate,” says Solar Foods. The post Solar Foods CEO on scaling up protein from thin air: ‘We have MOUs and LOIs for more than 50% of new factory already’ appeared first on AgFunderNews.
- by Jennifer MarstonThe Global Agriculture and Food Security Program has announced the first capital allocation to the African Development Bank. The post Another $14m unlocked for Africa’s smallholders as part of $200m private-sector finance initiative appeared first on AgFunderNews.
- by Elaine WatsonBeyond the immediate benefits of helping farmers spray more effectively in real time, AgZen can help the wider industry understand how droplet coverage and lifetime relate to the efficacy of every chemical input used on-farm, claims AgZen. The post Making every drop count: AgZen partners with Corteva to redefine spray efficiency appeared first on AgFunderNews.
- by Jennifer MarstonFor Albers, showing exactly where a product comes from is as important as any sustainability certification. The post ‘Control of production is more important than loosely based label claims,’ says Nebraska beef producer appeared first on AgFunderNews.
- by Elaine WatsonThe capital will fund a 4,000-ton plant in Jutland that’s expected to come online in 2027, says MATR Foods cofounder Randi Wahlsten. The post Armed with $47m, MATR Foods to scale next generation of alt meat via solid-state fermentation appeared first on AgFunderNews.
- by Jennifer MarstonStartups are addressing the technical challenges of getting something that can compete with low-cost herbicides. The post Where’s the progress in bioherbicide development? Industry players weigh in appeared first on AgFunderNews.
- by Elaine WatsonSymbiotec is now talking to companies using fermentation for specialty chemicals, flavors & fragrances, oils, and proteins. The post Biomanufacturing’s valley of death has a new bridge in India, says Symbiotec appeared first on AgFunderNews.
- by Elaine WatsonEden Brew—like many players in the emerging animal-free dairy space—has tweaked its strategy to focus on higher-value markets for its initial launch. The post 🎥 The next frontier for animal-free dairy? ‘Slow-release’ mineral delivery, says Eden Brew appeared first on AgFunderNews.
- by Phoebe TranImage Credit: Politico Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines. The agricultural sector faces uncertainty as Trump’s funding freeze disrupts efforts to transition farms to regenerative practices, leaving farmers in financial distress. Meanwhile, the food and beverage industry sees a contrasting success story with Olipop, a prebiotic soda brand, now valued at $1.85 billion after raising $50 million in its latest funding round. In other news, we’ve wrapped the first season of our podcast in partnership […]
- by Phoebe TranImage Credit: Fast Company Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines. In recent developments, the FDA has modernized its 30-year-old definition of “healthy” for packaged foods, requiring products to include specific amounts from food groups like fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, and protein, while also setting limits on added sugars. This update aims to provide clearer guidance for consumers seeking nutritious options. Meanwhile, despite an increase in global climate finance from 2017 to 2022, funding for the […]
- by Phoebe TranImage Credit: New York Times Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines. A growing spotlight is being cast on the role of ultraprocessed foods in America’s health crisis, as public scrutiny intensifies and legal actions emerge. In Pennsylvania, a teenager has filed an unprecedented lawsuit against major industry players like Coca-Cola and Nestlé, alleging their marketing of “addictive” ultraprocessed products is making children ill. Meanwhile, new research indicates that nearly three-quarters of adults in the United […]
- by Phoebe TranImage Credit: New York Times Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines. In recent high-profile food industry legal decisions, a US federal judge has blocked the proposed $25 billion merger between supermarket giants Kroger and Albertsons following the Federal Trade Commission’s push to prevent potential negative impacts on consumers and workers. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, a UK court has ruled against Oatly and other plant-based dairy alternatives using the term “milk” on their product labels. The […]
- by Phoebe TranImage Credit: Table.Media Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines. The Atlantic examines how a 1980s federal policy shift spurred the rise of food deserts, leaving communities with limited access to affordable, healthy options. Meanwhile, Politico highlights tensions in the Trump administration as the president’s Agriculture Secretary pick signals a preference for industry priorities over Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda. In other news, we’ve wrapped the first season of our podcast in […]
- by Phoebe TranImage Credit: Green Queen Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines. It is with deep sorrow that we share the news that regenerative business pioneer Carol Sanford has begun her transition out of this world.For those who don’t know Carol, she is a visionary leader, teacher, and author who revolutionized the way we think about business, leadership, and sustainability. As a pioneer of regenerative business practices, she dedicated her life to empowering individuals and organizations to create meaningful change […]
- by Phoebe TranImage Credit: Consumed Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines. The food landscape is at a pivotal moment, with contrasting visions shaping its future. The “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) agenda, spearheaded by RFK Jr. under Trump’s endorsement, seeks to tackle harmful chemicals, processed foods, and corporate influence in food systems, facing significant industry and political hurdles. Meanwhile, Wonder’s $650 million acquisition of Grubhub signals a technological shift in dining, aiming to create a “super app […]
- by Phoebe TranImage Credit: Green Queen Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines. A second Trump administration raises concerns about increased deregulation, weakened climate policies, and restrictions on climate-friendly foods, potentially impacting food tech and public health protections. Amid these political shifts, companies like SuperMeat continue advancing sustainable alternatives; SuperMeat’s 100% cultivated chicken has achieved price parity with premium poultry at $11.79 per pound. In other news, we’ve wrapped the first season of our podcast in partnership with […]
- by Phoebe TranImage Credit: Snaxshot Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines. The food industry faces contrasting challenges, from high-profile failures in tech-driven agriculture to policy pressures under a potential Trump administration. Bowery Farming, once valued at $2.3 billion, joins Smallhold in folding despite massive investment, reflecting volatility in the ag-tech sector. Meanwhile, Errol Schweizer’s analysis in The Checkout highlights potential economic and labor strains, including mass deportations and Project 2025’s impacts on workers, underscoring how policies and […]
- by Phoebe TranImage Credit: Forbes Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines. The Boar’s Head deli meat empire is facing significant turmoil as it grapples with multiple crises, including a fatal listeria outbreak, the shutdown of a key plant, and internal conflicts between its founding families. These challenges have cast uncertainty over the billion-dollar brand’s future. Meanwhile, restaurants across the country are navigating their own struggles, as climate change causes supply disruptions and ingredient shortages. Restaurateurs are adapting […]
- by Phoebe TranImage Credit: Smoketown Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines. Smoketown’s “Unlocking Demand for Regenerative” offers a crowdsourced blueprint to boost consumer demand for regenerative agriculture. Meanwhile, governments are beginning to address the hidden environmental costs of food production. Traditionally, these costs aren’t reflected in food prices, but experimental policies aim to expose the broader environmental damage caused by what we eat, encouraging more sustainable choices for the future. In other news, we’ve wrapped the first […]
- by Phoebe TranImage Credit: Smallhold Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines. Smallhold’s rise and fall highlights the challenges of scaling tech-driven food ventures, despite VC backing, as it emerges from bankruptcy a shadow of its former self. Bain emphasizes the need for new, faster financing models to build resilient, climate-smart food systems. In other news, we’ve wrapped the first season of our podcast in partnership with AgFunder: New Food Order, a nuanced investigation into the business of […]
- by Phoebe TranImage Credit: Green Queen Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines. The UK has become the first European country to approve lab-grown meat, starting with Meatly, a cultivated chicken pet food product. Meanwhile, innovation in the global food and beverage industry has dramatically declined, with only 35% of new CPG launches in 2024 being genuinely new products, marking the lowest rate of innovation since Mintel began tracking in 1996. In other news, we’ve wrapped the first […]
- by Phoebe TranImage Credit: Food Navigator Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines. In the first half of 2024, agrifoodtech startups experienced a 12.5% year-on-year drop in funding, securing $7 billion across 427 deals. Concurrently, the alt-meat industry is seeing waning enthusiasm for “bleeds-like-meat” products as consumers, investors, and companies shift towards simpler, more natural ingredient formulations, reflecting a broader trend in consumer packaged goods. In other news, we’ve wrapped the first season of our podcast in partnership […]
- by Phoebe TranImage Credit: Green Queen Every week we track the business, tech and investment trends in CPG, retail, restaurants, agriculture, cooking and health, so you don’t have to. Here are some of this week’s top headlines. Denmark is set to introduce the world’s first carbon tax on agriculture later this year, with each cow costing $100 per year, as part of its efforts to meet climate goals. In the United States, a group of lawmakers has reintroduced the REAL Meat Act, aiming to ban federal funding for the cultivated meat industry. These policy moves signal significant shifts in both environmental and […]
- by Michael WolfLast month I was in New York City, so I decided to drop and visit the Good Housekeeping Institute. I went to visit Nicole Papantoniou, the director of the Kitchen […]
- by Michael WolfWhile some companies like NotCo have positioned themselves as the OpenAI of the food world, the truth is that the AI transformation of the food industry is still in the […]
- by Michael WolfNowadays, when a smart light bulb shifts from soft white to red, it usually means someone’s at the door, the dog got out, or another home automation routine has been […]
- by Michael WolfEarlier this month at IFA, Midea showed off a range of new smart kitchen gear, including a new refrigerator lineup that features a smart clip system to keep track of […]
- by Michael WolfThere’s a new delivery robot in town, and its name is Dot. DoorDash announced the new delivery bot today, confirming months of rumors that they were working on their own […]
- by Michael WolfIf you were to bet on what the oldest kitchen tool in existence is, you’d be smart to put your money on the knife. It’s not just centuries old but […]
- by Michael WolfSamsung confirmed this week that they have rolled out an over-the-network software update to Family Hub refrigerators in the US that will enable advertising on the fridge’s video display. The […]
- by Michael WolfAs a former semiconductor analyst, I realized one truism of the tech world: makers of component building blocks for any hardware product eventually move up the stack, integrating with software […]
- by Michael WolfApeel, a maker of produce life-extension technology, announced this week that it is suing an online influencer who had spread misinformation about the company’s product for the last two years. […]
- by Michael WolfOne of the defining characteristics of early successful food robots has been focus. Whether it’s the Flippy burger-flipping robot, Bear’s front-of-house robotic waiters, or the Autocado avocado-coring and processing robot, […]
- by Michael WolfSure, food prices are going up everywhere, but as my fellow chocolate lovers know, prices for this universally loved treat are really going up due to the increasing threat from […]
- by Michael WolfAs meat prices soar to record highs, The Better Meat Co. (BMC) announced this week that it has closed an oversubscribed $31 million Series A round to scale its patented […]
- by Michael WolfBelow are the full session from SKS 2025. The State of Consumer Kitchen Innovation Speakers: Scott Heimendinger (Seattle Ultrasonics), Kai Schaeffner (Former CEO of Thermomix North America), Michael Wolf (The […]
- by Michael WolfIf you ask Steve Statler, our current supply chains are essentially the equivalent of an old-school combustion engine (at best), and at worst something akin to a horse-drawn carriage. “We’re […]
- by Michael WolfOn July 28, some owners of the Anova Precision Oven woke up to bricked appliances. According to posts on Reddit and a Facebook group for the company’s high-tech combi-oven, customers […]
- by Michael WolfFor those of you who are skeptical about whether drone delivery will ever become a common way to deliver your pizza or groceries, I’m there with you. Several key factors […]
- by Michael WolfWith this week’s news that Little Caesars pizza is partnering with Serve to deliver pizza, it’s clear that robotic delivery, whether on sidewalks, underground, or in the air, is fast […]
- by Michael WolfLast week, I sat down with Mark Cuban at the Smart Kitchen Summit to talk about how he sees AI changing innovation and medicine, his motivation for starting Cost Plus […]
- by Michael WolfAs far as my family’s small Pomeranian, Zeus, is concerned, I’m a very distant second banana when it comes to the humans in his life. Sure, he’ll let me feed […]
- by Michael WolfFor the past five or so years, the emails have landed in my inbox on a steady basis, nearly every month. They’ve included updates on a small startup building a […]
