Consumer Private Placement and M&A Transactions Review Week Ending March 3, 2024

Oishii: The company raised $144 million in Series B venture funding in a deal led by Nippon Telegraph & Telephone on February 28, 2024, putting the company’s pre-money valuation at $400 million. Mizuho Bank, Mitsubishi Shokuhin Company, Japan Investment Corporation, Yaskawa Electric, Hakuhodo DY Ventures, McWin Capital Partners and Bloom8 also participated in the round. The company is an operator of indoor vertical farming technology intended to grow strawberries at a commercial scale.

Sonichem: The company raised GBP 1.21 million of venture funding from ACF Investors on February 29, 2024, putting the company’s pre-money valuation at GBP 5.10 million. The company is a developer of a biomass refinery technology designed to separate biomass into biochemicals.

Minnowtech: The company raised an undisclosed amount of Series A venture funding in a deal led by TCP Venture Capital on February 27, 2024. The company is a developer of a subsurface biomass reading technology that enables shrimp farmers to improve efficiency and profitability in Pacific aquaculture.

Momentous: The company raised an undisclosed amount of venture funding from Humble Growth on February 29, 2024. The company is a producer of nutritional supplements for athletic performance improvement.

New Culture: The company raised Series B venture funding from an undisclosed investor on March 1, 2024. The company is a producer of casein fermented proteins intended to provide animal-free cheese to help reduce carbon-intensive dependency on animals.

Vini Mini: The company raised an undisclosed amount of venture funding from Donor Impact Invest Fund on February 29, 2024. The company is a producer of nutritional supplements intended to provide allergy-free food for babies.

HCL Maître Pierre / mas Group: The company was acquired by mas group for an undisclosed amount on February 26, 2024. The company is a producer of tarts and other food products catering to wholesalers and retailers.

Vegetarian Express / NVM Private Equity: The company was acquired by NVM Private Equity through a GBP 15 million LBO on February 27, 2024. The company is a supplier of vegan and vegetarian ingredients.

CenSea / Captain Fresh: The company was acquired by Captain Fresh for an undisclosed amount on February 28, 2024. The company is a distributor of seafood products.

Cook it Recipes / Fresh Prep: The company was acquired by Fresh Prep, via its financial sponsors Renewal Funds, Yellow Point Equity Partners and First West Capital, through an LBO on February 27, 2024 for an undisclosed amount. The company is an operator of a meal kit company.

Fresh Picks Café / Whitsons Culinary Group: The company was acquired by Whitsons Culinary Group, via its financial sponsor GenNx360 Capital Partners, through an LBO on February 26, 2024 for an undisclosed amount. The company is a provider of cafeteria food management services.

Harbour Beer House / Harbour Brewing Co: Harbour Brewing Co and St Austell Brewery have entered into an agreement to form a joint venture as of February 27, 2024. The company is an operator of a brewery located in Charlestown, Massachusetts.

Mylo Coffee / The Ventanas Group: The company was acquired by The Ventanas Group for an undisclosed amount on February 28, 2024. The company is a producer of coffee and food products based in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Northeast Produce / Lipman Family Farms: The company was acquired by Lipman Family Farms for an undisclosed amount on March 1, 2024. The company is a producer and distributor of fruits and vegetables for restaurants and chain stores.