Consumer Private Placement and M&A Transactions Review Week Ending March 23, 2025

GrubMarket: The company raised $50 million of Series G venture funding in a deal led by The Private Shares Fund on March 18, 2025, putting the company’s pre-money valuation at $3.45 billion. Liberty Street Advisors, Pegasus Tech Ventures, Joseph Stone Capital, TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC, Battery Ventures, Ying Fund, Grandworld Capital, Orange Island Ventures, ROC Venture Group, Tiger Global Management, Portfolia, Y Combinator, 3Spoke Capital, Pinegrove Capital Partners, and other undisclosed investors also participated in the round. The company is a developer of an AI-powered food technology and vertical SaaS platform designed for the B2B food supply chain.

FreshRealm: The company raised $15 million of venture funding from undisclosed investors on March 19, 2025. The Company provides fully-prepped meal kits, ready-to-eat meals, and delivery services to food industry partners, retailers, and consumers in the United States

VM Agritech: The company raised $11 million in Series A3 venture funding from undisclosed investors on March 17, 2025, putting the company’s pre-money valuation at $189 million. The company is a developer of a copper-based liquid fungicide designed to fight fungal resistance in both row and specialty crops.

Something & Nothing: The company raised GBP 3 million of venture funding in a deal led by Spadel on March 20, 2025, putting the company’s pre-money valuation at GBP 8 million. Venrex Investment Management, Anotherway Ventures, Adam Levene, and other undisclosed investors also participated in the round. The company is a producer of vegan, better-for-you sodas.

Hawaiian Bros: The company raised $2.5 million of venture funding from undisclosed investors on March 19, 2025. The company is an operator of a restaurant and quick-serve chain that offers traditional Hawaiian cuisine.

Field Doctor: The company raised an undisclosed amount of venture funding from Perfect Redd, The FSE Group and British Business Bank on March 21, 2025. The company is a producer of frozen ready-to-eat meals.

Poppi / Pepsico: The company reached a definitive agreement to be acquired by Pepsico for $1.95 billion on March 17, 2025. The company is a producer of prebiotic soda beverages designed to support digestive health.

BRAINEFFECT / Schwabe Group: The company was acquired by Schwabe Group for an undisclosed amount on March 17, 2025. The company is a producer of food products and supplements intended to optimize mental well-being and health.

cheesegeek / The Albex Group: The company was acquired by The Albex Group for an undisclosed amount on March 17, 2025. The company is a UK-based, retailer of cheeses that specializes in sourcing and delivering high-quality, seasonal British cheeses, and offering curated cheese boxes and subscriptions, for sale direct-to-consumer and business-to-business, via retail, hospitality, and food service.

Empress ALE / Powder Monkey: The company reached a definitive agreement to be acquired by Powder Monkey for an undisclosed amount on March 18, 2025. The company is a producer of craft beer based in Royal Leamington Spa, United Kingdom.

Guerlais Production / Caisse Regionale Credit Agricole Mutuel d’Ille et Vilaine: The company was acquired by Caisse Regionale Credit Agricole Mutuel d’Ille et Vilaine, Unexo and Cerea Partners through an LBO on March 18, 2025 for an undisclosed amount. The company is a producer of chocolates, pastries, and macaroons.

Kirks Bakery / Ballymena Bakery: The company was acquired by Ballymena Bakery for an undisclosed amount on March 20, 2025. The company is a producer of bakery products based in Belfast, United Kingdom.

La Rocca Creative Cakes / Sammontana North America: The company reached a definitive agreement to be acquired by Sammontana North America for an undisclosed amount on March 20, 2025. The company is a producer of cakes and desserts intended for retail and food service markets.

Relais Desserts / Cerea Partners and Unexo: The company was acquired by Cerea Partners and Unexo through an LBO on March 19, 2025 for an undisclosed amount. The company is a provider of baked goods, pastries, and dessert products.

Rosemarie Eppers / NovaTaste: The company entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by NovaTaste, via its financial sponsor PAI Partners, through an LBO on March 18, 2025 for an undisclosed amount. The company is a producer and distributor of spices, sauces and marinades.

Stonington Vineyards / Unknown Investor: The company was acquired for an undisclosed amount on March 19, 2025. The company is a producer of wines.

Tractor Shed Brewing / Crooked River Brewing Co.: The company was acquired by Crooked River Brewing Co. for an undisclosed amount on March 18, 2025. The company is a producer of craft beer based in Workington, United Kingdom.

West Plant Group / Individual Investor: The company was acquired by Mr. Erik Gubbels for an undisclosed amount on March 20, 2025. The company is an operator of an open-field vegetable nursery offering cabbage, celery, leek, herb, and strawberry plants in trays.