Consumer Private Placement and M&A Transactions Review Week Ending June 11, 2023

Uncommon: The company raised GBP 24.5 million through a combination of debt and Series A venture funding in a deal led by Lowercarbon Capital and Balderton Capital on June 9, 2023, putting the company’s pre-money valuation at GBP 56.5 million. Redalpine Venture Partners, Max Altman, Sam Altman, Miray Zaki, Sebastiano Cossia Castiglioni, East X, and other undisclosed investors also participated in the round. The company is a producer of lab-grown meat products intended to address climate change, food shortages, and animal welfare.

Plantible: The company raised $17.1 million of Series A venture funding from Siddhi Capital and other undisclosed investors on June 5, 2023, putting the company’s pre-money valuation at an estimated $68.8 million. The company is a producer of sustainable, plant-based protein for the food industry.

MyForest Foods: The company raised $15.0 million of Series A2 venture funding in a deal led by Viking Global Investors on June 6, 2023, putting the company’s pre-money valuation at $110 million. FootPrint Coalition Ventures, Standard Investments and AiiM Partners also participated in the round. The company is an operator of a food technology business that is developing and producing plant-based, whole-cut meats.

FarmTrace: The company raised $6.9 million of venture funding from Hassium Capital and Secha Capital on June 5, 2023. The company is a developer of ag-tech software designed to connect every system and stakeholder throughout the animal and plant protein value chain.

Cuzen Matcha: The company raised $3.6 million in Series A venture funding in a deal led by DG Ventures (Digital Garage Group) on June 6, 2023, putting the company’s pre-money valuation at $15 million. Joyance Partners and 20 other undisclosed investors also participated in the round. The company is a producer of a tea drink intended to provide an alternative to caffeine.

Afia: The company raised $3 million of Series A venture funding from Semillero Partners, Roya Capital and Embree Group on June 6, 2023. MJR Ventures and other undisclosed investors also participated in the round. The company is a retailer of Mediterranean cuisine frozen foods.

Jay & Joy: The company raised EUR 2 million of venture funding from High Flyers Capital and other undisclosed investors on June 9, 2023. The company is a producer of plant-based vegan and organic cheese products.

Verdi: The company raised an undisclosed amount of venture funding from SVG Ventures-THRIVE on June 7, 2023. The company is a developer of scalable control systems designed to bring plant-level automation to the harshest farm environments.

Farmer Brothers / Treehouse Foods: Treehouse Foods  reached a definitive agreement to acquire the direct ship business unit of Farmer Brothers for $100 million on June 7, 2023. The company is a distributor of coffee, tea and other culinary products based in Northlake, Texas.

Prime Pork / Premium Iowa Pork: The company reached a definitive agreement to be acquired by Premium Iowa Pork for $13 million on June 10, 2023. The company is a distributor of meat and other food products in Windom, Minnesota.

8th Wonder Brewery / Bayou City Hemp: The company was acquired by Bayou City Hemp for an undisclosed amount on June 7, 2023. The company is a producer of alcoholic and non-alcoholic craft brewed beverages.

Bewley’s Tea & Coffee UK / Cafédirect: The company was acquired by Cafédirect for an undisclosed amount on June 8, 2023. The company is a producer of tea and coffee beverages.

John Wm. Macy Cheesesticks / BRIANNAS Fine Salad Dressing: The company was acquired by BRIANNAS Fine Salad Dressing, a subsidiary of Sabormex, for an undisclosed amount on June 8, 2023. The company is a producer of bakery products catering to New Jersey and nearby localities.

Mash & Grape / Flaviar: The company was acquired by Flaviar for an undisclosed amount on June 9, 2023. The company is an operator of an alcoholic beverage online subscription service.

The Soho Sandwich Company / Around Noon: The company was acquired by Around Noon for an undisclosed amount on June 7, 2023. The company is a manufacturer and supplier of sandwiches and food products to educational institutes, coffee shops, work places and other food service establishments.