Consumer Private Placement and M&A Transactions Review Week Ending July 21, 2024

Casa Azul: The company raised $58 million of venture funding from Reform Ventures, Terpsi Capital and other undisclosed investors on July 16, 2024. The company is a producer of tequila beverages.

Lotus Foods: The company received $22.5 million of development capital from Grounded Capital on July 10, 2024. The company is a producer of organic rice.

NovoNutrients: The company raised $18 million of Series A venture funding in a deal led by Woodside Energy on July 9, 2024. TechCrunch, SOSV, Audacy Ventures, CM Ventures, IndieBio and Unreasonable Impact also participated in the round. The company is a developer of a fermentation platform designed to transform industrial waste carbon dioxide emissions into alternative protein food and feed ingredients.

Abstract Ice: The company raised $12.45 million of Series A venture funding from undisclosed investors on July 17, 2024, putting the company’s pre-money valuation at $34.5 million. The company is a manufacturer of craft ice molds.

Goat Foods: The company raised $10 million of venture funding from Lago Innovation Fund on July 9, 2024. The company is a producer of gourmet sweet and snack brands.

Nutriearth: The company received EUR 8 million of development capital from Captech Santé, Crédit Agricole Nord de France, Financiere Serthi, Demeter Partners, Nord Capital Partenaires, Rev3 Capital, Bpifrance and Le conseil régional des Hauts-de-France on July 12, 2024. The company is a manufacturer of functional oil and flour for human and animal health products.

TALA: The company raised GBP 5 million of venture funding in a deal led by Pembroke VCT and ME+EM on July 15, 2024. Venrex Investment Management and Active Partners also participated in the round. The company is a provider of fitness wear for women.

Atlantic Sea Farms: The company raised $4.3 million of venture funding from ImpactAssets,Third Nature and other undisclosed investors on July 9, 2024. The company is a producer of kelp seaweed products.

Boundless Activated Snacking: The company raised GBP 1.8 million of venture funding from Primorus Investments, Enterprise Investment Scheme and Ben Jones on July 9, 2024, putting the company’s pre-money valuation at GBP 8.5 million. The company is a producer of healthy nut and seed snacks .

Stories & Ink: The company raised $1.6 million of venture funding from The Emerson Group, Crown Laboratories and L’Oréal on July 16, 2024. Yellow Wood Partners and other undisclosed investors also participated in the round. The company is an operator of a skincare company intended to create and activate direct-to-consumer brands that address the needs of tattooed skin.

FloVision Solutions: The company raised $1.5 million of venture funding from Ag Startup Engine, M7 Holdings and other undisclosed investors on July 9, 2024. The company is a developer of a food analytics platform to help cafeterias and quick-service restaurants to reduce food waste.

Bayou Best Foods: The company raised an undisclosed amount of venture funding from Big Idea Ventures on July 9, 2024. The company is an operator of a seafood company intended to provide animal-free and allergen-friendly seafood products.

Foxes Bow Whiskey: The company is in the process of raising venture funding on July 21, 2024. The company is a producer and operator of a whiskey brand.

Chuy’s Holdings / Darden Restaurants: The company reached a definitive agreement to be acquired by Darden Restaurants for $605 million on July 17, 2024. Chuy’s Holdings Inc operates Chuy’s, a restaurant concept offering a distinct menu of authentic, freshly prepared Mexican and Tex-Mex inspired food.

Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company / Carlsberg UK Pension Scheme: The company was acquired by Carlsberg UK Pension Scheme, a subsidiary of Carlsberg, for £206 million on July 8, 2024. The company is an operator of a brewing business located in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.

Insomnia Cookies / Mistral Equity Partners & Verlinvest: The company was acquired by Mistral Equity Partners and Verlinvest through a $172.4 million LBO on July 17, 2024. The company is an operator of a chain of bakeries based in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.

Alternative Stores / Individual Investors: The company was acquired by Ms. Heather Mills for an undisclosed amount on July 8, 2024. The company is an operator of an online vegan food supermarket with a flagship storefront located in Newcastle, United Kingdom.

Banner Smoked Fish / Acme Smoked Fish: The company was acquired by Acme Smoked Fish for an undisclosed amount on July 15, 2024. The company is a seller of salmon fish, based in Brooklyn, New York.

Beauty Bakerie / West Lane Capital Partners: The company was acquired by West Lane Capital Partners through an LBO on July 10, 2024 for an undisclosed amount. The company is a manufacturer of cosmetic products intended to offer a beauty product line made from vegan-friendly substances.

Brothers Produce / GrubMarket: The company was acquired by GrubMarket for an undisclosed amount on July 8, 2024. The company is a distributor of fresh produce to food service establishments across Texas.

CoolBrands International / Denali Ingredients: The ice cream ingredient manufacturing operation of CoolBrands International, was acquired by Denali Ingredients, a subsidiary of Orkla Food Ingredients Česko, on an undisclosed date. The company is a manufacturer of ice cream ingredients based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Dallas Flavors / foodguys: The company was acquired by foodguys for an undisclosed amount on July 10, 2024. The company is a producer of sweet and savory flavor modifiers catering to the ingredient industry.

Distillerie du St. Laurent / Distillerie Arsenal: The company was acquired by Distillerie Arsenal for an undisclosed amount on July 17, 2024. The company is a producer of alcoholic cocktail drinks.

Exter North America / Exter: The company was formed as a joint venture between Lallemand and Exter on July 10, 2024. The company is a developer of advanced culinary flavour technologies for the food industry.

Fresh Organic Choice / Unknown Investor: The company, a subsidiary of Organto Foods, was acquired for an undisclosed amount on July 12, 2024. The company is a distributor of a wide range of fresh-cut organic herbs.

Hermes Sweeteners / Kruger Group: The company, a subsidiary of Klosterfrau Healthcare Group, was acquired by Kruger Group for an undisclosed amount on July 11, 2024. The company is a producer of tabletop sweeteners.

Hub Box / South West Restaurants Limited: The company was acquired by South West Restaurants Limited for an undisclosed amount on July 12, 2024. The company is an operator of a chain of burger restaurants.

IDAK Food Group / TowerBrook Capital Partners: The company entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by TowerBrook Capital Partners through an LBO on July 12, 2024 for an undisclosed amount. The company is a producer of premium frozen food intended for the food service sector and food retailers in Switzerland, Europe and select export markets.

Kauai Shrimp / Aloun Farm: The company reached a definitive agreement to be acquired by Aloun Farm for an undisclosed amount on July 18, 2024. The company is an operator of a shrimp farm producing Pacific White leg shrimps intended to serve individuals, restaurants and local markets.

Les foies gras du Ried / Alisens: The company was acquired by Alisens for an undisclosed amount on July 11, 2024. The company is a producer of meat-based products based in Ichtratzheim, France.

Love Cheesecakes / Regale Frozen Foods: The company was acquired by Regale Frozen Foods for an undisclosed amount on July 17, 2024. The company is a producer of hand-crafted cheesecakes and chilled desserts.

Maison Carette / Capoue: The company was acquired by Capoue for an undisclosed amount on July 12, 2024. The company is a producer of bakery products based in Ottignies, Belgium.

Mondoux Confectionery / Regal Confections: The company was acquired by Regal Confections, via its financial sponsor Clearspring Capital Partners, through an LBO on July 17, 2024 for an undisclosed amount. The company is a producer of candies and chocolates based in Canada.

mymuesli / Katjesgreenfood GmbH & Co. KG: The company entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Katjesgreenfood GmbH & Co. KG through an LBO on July 11, 2024 for an undisclosed amount. The company is a producer of breakfast cereals.

Otus Coffee / Jeff’s Bagel Run: The company was acquired by Jeff’s Bagel Run, via its financial sponsor 1337 Capital, through an LBO on July 11, 2024 for an undisclosed amount. The company is a producer of specialty roasted coffees.

Pernod Ricard / Accolade Wines: The company entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Accolade Wines, via its financial sponsor The Carlyle Group, through an LBO on July 17, 2024 for an undisclosed amount. The company is a manufacturer and supplier of wines and spirits based in France.

Rich Sauces / Solina Group: The company was acquired by Solina Group, via its financial sponsor Astorg, through an LBO on July 11, 2024 for an undisclosed amount. The company is a producer of sauces, dressings, and bouillons for the food service industry.

Ron del Barrilito / E & J Gallo Winery: The company received an undisclosed amount of financing from E & J Gallo Winery on July 8, 2024. The company is a producer of premium rum based in Bayamón, Puerto Rico.

Silver Eagle Beverages / Sunkey Beverage Holdings: The company was acquired by Sunkey Beverage Holdings for an undisclosed amount on July 11, 2024. The company is an operator of a beverage marketing and distribution company intended to sell beer and other beverages.

The Village Bakery Group / Maison Menissez: The company was acquired by Maison Menissez, a subsidiary of Cflm, for an undisclosed amount on July 10, 2024. The company is a producer of baked goods for private label brands and wholesale clients.

Carolina Wine Brands USA / Gonzalez Byass USA: The company, a subsidiary of Carolina Wine Brands was acquired by Gonzalez Byass USA for an undisclosed amount on July 18, 2024. The company is a producer of wine, based in Wethersfield, Connecticut.