Latest food tech and innovation news, jobs and events.
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Funding By Category
FEATURED
2018 U.S. Food & Beverage Startup Investment Report (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=6466cd50c8&e=2715c96b29)
Over $1.45B was invested across 247 deals in 2018, according to the research in our second annual investment report produced in partnership with Ryan Willams. Plant-centric alternatives to meat and dairy accounted for one-third of total investment in food and beverage startups in 2018, according to our investment report. Check out the report for a deep dive into the investor and investment trends.
Beyond Meat Debuts Beyond Beef, First VC Fund Dedicated to Psychedelics Launches + More (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=176fbd3de5&e=2715c96b29)
Our round-up of this week's top food innovation news.
impossible foods
CPG
Leading European Meat Company Goes 100% Vegan (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=14c5de82a5&e=2715c96b29) - Live Kindly
Vivera Foodgroup has become one of the first meat companies to remove meat from its lineup in favor of vegan foods. Vivera sells vegan meat across Europe.
Impossible Foods Is Exploring Realistic Vegan Fish (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=98e030d6a9&e=2715c96b29) - Live Kindly
Vegan fish could be next on the cards for plant-based food brand Impossible Foods, the creators of the "bleeding" beef-like Impossible Burger.
Impossible Burger Shortages Hit White Castle and Red Robin (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=7fd7e86f6d&e=2715c96b29) - Bloomberg
The restaurant chains are reporting shortages of Impossible Foods meat-free patties, even as the plant-based food producer embarks on a nationwide expansion with Burger King.
When Tech Investors Venture Off Course: Silicon Valley Makes a Mess in the Kitchen (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=7d035bc577&e=2715c96b29) - Wall Street Journal
Google Ventures and SoftBank's Vision Fund are betting on consumer products like Brandless, but tech investors' winner-takes-all mindset doesn't always work in a splintering industry.
Water Lentil Milk... a New Option in Plant-Based Dairy Case (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=149b9e1531&e=2715c96b29) - Food Navigator
A new option could soon be available in the burgeoning category utilizing the protein-packed 'water lentil,' a free-floating seed-producing micro aquatic plant also known as duckweed.
CPG Companies Haven't Shown Significant Progress on Sustainability Goals, Report Claims (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=78328f17e3&e=2715c96b29) - Food Dive
Greenpeace challenged 50 companies in early 2019 to "demonstrate meaningful effort" to eradicate deforestation from their supply chain but none have followed through.
Sheryl O'Loughlin Resigns As REBBL CEO (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=f96ec5b8cd&e=2715c96b29) - BevNet
Sheryl O'Loughlin announced her resignation this week after a four year tenure with the plant-based beverage brand. Former thinkThin CEO Michele Kessler will assume the chief executive position.
Kind Snacks and Clif Bar Are Fighting Like Your Grandparents on Facebook (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=a7f77fa14e&e=2715c96b29) - Fast Company
When Kind called out Clif Bar in its new ad, it sparked a long-winded social debate between the two.
kroger ocado
RETAIL
Kroger Begins Construction on $55M Robotic Warehouse for Home Delivery (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=60f61573bd&e=2715c96b29) - Cincinnati
The facility will begin operations in 2021. Kroger and Ocado plan to build 20 similar facilities across America to expand home delivery of groceries.
Target Launches a Dedicated Shopping Site for Same-Day Delivery, Powered by Shipt (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=7cf12d5c5e&e=2715c96b29) - TechCrunch
The retailer acquired Shipt for $550m in 2017 in order to accelerate its digital fulfillment efforts. The move follows news of Amazon's plans to increase Prime speeds and Walmart's recent launch of free, next-day delivery in select markets.
Israel: Early Kitchen Commerce Pioneer IKAN Holdings Acquires Freshub, Obtains $8M in New Funding (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=c394ce1398&e=2715c96b29) - The Spoon
Freshub, an Israel based kitchen commerce startup that powers in-home grocery shopping through IoT technology, has been acquired in an all-stock transaction by New York City-based IKAN Holdings, an early pioneer in tech-powered shopping in the kitchen.
Why Food Reformers Have Mixed Feelings About Eco-Labels (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=d3456b89b8&e=2715c96b29) - NPR
Grocery stores are full of food with labels like organic, cage-free or fair trade that appeal to a consumer's ideals. But there's often a gap between what they seem to promise and what they deliver.
Amazon-Whole Foods Is Two Years Old. And? (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=918ce10b99&e=2715c96b29) - Bloomberg
The e-commerce giant has made some obvious-seeming moves, but still no groundbreaking progress in groceries.
UK: Lidl Ramps Up Supermarket Battle with 40 New Stores (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=2c2e4e2996&e=2715c96b29) - BBC
The £500m investment will take place over five years and will include a new UK head office in south-west London.
nuro
RESTAURANTS
Domino's Pizza Plans Robot Deliveries with Self-Driving Minivans in 2019 (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=4a7d7a2ca5&e=2715c96b29) - Fast Company
Nuro's self-driving mini delivery vans will ply Houston streets with hot pizzas, as the company already does with grocery orders.
Offering Robot Chefs That Can Serve 5 Million Types of Pizza, France's Pazzi Raises Over $11M Series A (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=4c99daf1f7&e=2715c96b29) - AgFunderNews
Funding was led by Qualgro. The company will offer concession and license models and seek out partnerships in ghost kitchens.
Uber Is Using Uber Vouchers to Help Restaurants Drive More Foot Traffic (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=cd564efbd8&e=2715c96b29) - The Spoon
Uber Vouchers promise to help move foot traffic into restaurants and other retail venues by offering potential customers a ride-share credit for that destination.
Australia: Aconex Founders Lead Investment in Food Tech Startup Fresho (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=1bd5df8593&e=2715c96b29) - Financial Review
Aconex and Salta Capital's Tarascio family are the main backers of a $3m funding round for Fresho, an online platform that lets restaurants order produce directly from suppliers.
Private Equity Firm to Seek Sale of Church's Chicken (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=3671a186fa&e=2715c96b29) - Bloomberg
FFL Partners is seeking around $350m or more. Church's Chicken's annual revenue is over $1b.
Investor Offers to Buy Red Robin (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=6f7ce3f866&e=2715c96b29) - Nation's Restaurant News
Activist shareholder Vintage Capital says the chain should be auctioned off immediately, and it's ready with a cash bid of $461.4m.
Chipotle Officially Announces Its Partnership with Tech Platform Sparkfly (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=b5c0507ab3&e=2715c96b29) - The Spoon
The partnership is heavily focused on leveraging tech to gain and retain more customers as well as improve the relationship between online and offline ordering.
aquaculture
AGRICULTURE
Fish Farms Face Threats to Growth Prospects from Climate Change and Antibiotics Overuse (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=93692230be&e=2715c96b29) - Forbes
The $232b fish farming industry faces several risks from environmental, social and governance factors, according to a report 'Shallow returns?' by the Farm Animal Investment Risk and Return network.
Vestaron Closes $40M Series B for Peptide-based Biopesticide with "Proven Modes of Action Unlike Microbials," says CEO (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=cfef41d385&e=2715c96b29) - AgFunderNews
Funding was led by Novo Holdings alongside Anterra Capital, Cultivian Sandbox, Open Prairie Ventures and Pangaea Ventures. It will be used to help the company commercialize its Spear family of products.
Climate Change-Fueled Valley Fever is Hitting Farmworkers Hard (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=3979c0e8ba&e=2715c96b29) - Civil Eats
The potentially deadly disease is caused by a soil-borne fungus made worse by rising rates of dust storms. In California's Central Valley, farmworkers are bearing the brunt of the problem.
Denmark: Arla Foods Uses AI to Steer Milk Projections (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=eb3c4dd28a&e=2715c96b29) - Food Dive
Using this new technology, the Denmark-based cooperative said its annual production can be forecast in a few hours, increasing efficiency and sustainability.
US Farmers Experimenting with Hemp As China Trade War Drags On (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=a9f0ac32f4&e=2715c96b29) - Reuters
A growing number of US farmers battered by low grain prices and the threat of a prolonged trade war with China are seeking salvation in a plant that until recently was illegal: hemp.
In California, Farm Workers Have a Right to Shade (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=6213f88120&e=2715c96b29) - New Food Economy
During soaring heatwaves, the state requires water, breaks and a simple tarp—as long as it's big enough for the whole farm crew.
Israeli Startups Are Trying to Save the Bees (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=4d796f6725&e=2715c96b29) - Quartz
A critical link in food supply is threatened, and technology may hold the answer.
Big Dairy Wants You to Know Vegan 'Butter' Isn't Actual Butter (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=e669c6ca4b&e=2715c96b29) - Bloomberg
Wisconsin, and your toast, are the front lines of a widening war to slow the industry's decline.
Cargill Pledges $30M to Fight Deforestation in Brazil's Imperiled Cerrado Region (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=d2b8b25cc9&e=2715c96b29) - AgFunderNews
After being one of five grain trading houses slapped with a $29m fine last year for engaging in activities related to illegal deforestation, Cargill is calling on competitors and colleagues alike to protect the region's forests.
wellness
EATERS
Women and the Diet Industry (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=1760d66dcd&e=2715c96b29) - New York Times
Readers discuss women's attitudes toward food and their bodies and how they have been shaped by society.
Denmark: Danish Kitchen Tech Startup Ztove Raises Funding and Expands to Retail (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=602ad14b83&e=2715c96b29) - The Spoon
Ztove has raised an undisclosed sum from Nield Jul Jacobsen. With the new funding, the company has moved to a larger office, invested in inventory and has recently gone on a hiring spree.
The Brave New World of Food As Medicine (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=8987aac09e&e=2715c96b29) - Just-Food
The concept of food as medicine is far from new - but US columnist Victor Martino argues it's back in a big way and major CPGs are taking notice.
Most of the Meat We Eat Won't Come from Animals by the Year 2040, According to a Report (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=fe3cd9365d&e=2715c96b29) - Business Insider
Experts predict that 60% of the meat products we consume in 2040 will either be plant-based or cultured alternatives.
The Case for a Nutrition Revolution (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=f4af63ef9a&e=2715c96b29) - PBS
Hari Sreenivasan speaks with Amanda Little about her new book, 'The Fate of Food' that focuses on the global challenges and possibilities in food production and nutrition.
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LATEST JOB LISTINGS
Co-Founder / CEO - Dietary Supplement at Sugarbreak (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=edfa76a22d&e=2715c96b29) - New York, NY
Product Marketing Manager - Crop Marketing at Farmers Business Network (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=9c637559c3&e=2715c96b29) - Chicago, IL
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Senior Manager of Social Media Marketing - Applegate at Hormel Foods (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=a400794a9f&e=2715c96b29) - Bridgewater, NJ
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Senior Scientist — Plant-Based Specialization at The Good Food Institute (https://foodtechconnect.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5137626c88ab3a61c40112a42&id=a3ff6804ea&e=2715c96b29) - Remote
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