More individuals and companies are looking to back vegan and plant-based enterprises than ever before, but how do you find them and pitch them? Here’s a list of vegan and vegan-friendly investors, compiled by Katrina Fox.
I get contacted a lot by vegan business owners asking how they can find an investor who’s aligned with their mission and values. Many entrepreneurs are specifically seeking investors who are vegan themselves, while others are happy to collaborate with broader impact investors.
So I’ve created this blog post with a list of vegan and vegan-friendly investors, to serve as a resource, which I’ll add to as I hear about more suitable investors (feel free to email me if you are or know of someone who ought to be on this list – see the end of the article for what information to send me).
DISCLAIMER:
This article is NOT financial advice, nor am I recommending or endorsing any of the people, services or companies in it. You MUST do your own due diligence and research and consult with relevant legal and financial professionals before reaching out or entering into any arrangements. The information here is simply a starting point.
Before you pitch an investor
I’ve interviewed some vegan investors on my podcast Vegan Business Talk, who’ve kindly shared information on:
- What they look for in a business
- How to ascertain if you’re ready for investment
- What to include (and leave out) in your pitch
- What type of businesses they invest in
- And more
I’ve included links to these episodes below, so do give them a listen before you pitch the investor.
Vegan and vegan-friendly investors
Below is a list of individual and group investors/investment companies that I’m aware of that have invested in vegan or plant-based companies.
Where I’m fairly sure that the individual is vegan themselves or the company is run by vegan investors, I’ve put (V) next to their name.
If an individual or company does not have a (V) next to it, it does NOT necessarily mean they’re not vegan, it just means I don’t know if they are (if you are on the list and are vegan but not denoted as such, please email me and I’ll amend your details accordingly).
Some investors do not accept unsolicited pitches or applications for funding. Where this is stated on their website, I have noted this below. Do not send these investors pitches or proposals unless you have been specifically invited to do so.
Individuals and companies are listed below in alphabetical order, for simplicity, along with countries where they are based (although many invest in businesses around the world):
BABEL VENTURES: RYAN BETHENCOURT (V) – USA
Ryan is a vegan biohacker and biotech investor who used to run incubator IndieBio and is now a partner at Babel Ventures VC firm.
He’s the CEO of Wild Earth pet food company and his investments include New Wave Foods (plant-based seafood), among many others.
Note: Ryan only invests in biotech companies. These may be in the food or other spaces, but they must be based on biotechnology.
Listen to my interview with Ryan Bethencourt on Vegan Business Talk here.
How to pitch: Via the Contact form on the website.
BALEINE & BJORN CAPITAL: LIZ DEE (V) – USA
Part of the Glass Wall Syndicate of plant-based investors.
Liz is the co-president of candy firm Smarties in the US and runs the Vegan Ladyboss networking initiative that supports vegan women to advance professionally.
Through her VC firm Baleine & Bjorn Capital, which she runs with her partner Nick Garin, Liz invests in vegan and plant-based companies including fashion firm Vaute, seafood brand Ocean Hugger Foods and meal delivery kit service Purple Carrot.
Listen to my interview with Liz Dee on Vegan Business Talk here.
How to pitch: Via the Contact section on the website.
http://www.baleinebjorncapital.com/
BENZAQUEN VEGAN VENTURES: DAVID BENZAQUEN (V) – USA
Part of the GlassWall Syndicate of plant-based investors.
Formerly founder and CEO of PlantBased Solutions (2010-2019), a strategic consulting firm for plant-based food products, and co-founder and CEO of plant-based seafood company Ocean Hugger Foods (2016-2020), David now manages his family fund, Benzaquen Vegan Ventures.
Benzaquen Vegan Ventures invests exclusively in early stage, plant-based, packaged food companies.
Listen to my interview with David Benzaquen on Vegan Business Talk here.
How to pitch: Investment pitches are only accepted through the GlassWall Syndicate, but other inquiries may be submitted to David directly through his LinkedIn.
BEYOND IMPACT ADVISORS: CLAIRE SMITH (V) – SWITZERLAND
Part of the Glass Wall Syndicate of plant-based investors.
Beyond Impact Advisors is the VC arm of the Beyond Investing platform created by Claire Smith.
Beyond Investing recently launched a vegan and climate change US stock index (you can read about this in my Forbes article here), which offers a benchmark for cruelty-free and environmentally-responsible investing, and Claire and her team are working on bringing a vegan ETF fund to the market.
Beyond Impact Advisors is interested in investing in all products providing non-animal alternatives and services which facilitate a vegan lifestyle, with a focus on the anticipated impact in terms of numbers of animal lives saved.
Their investment portfolio includes US vegan fashion brand Mink Shoes, animal-free gelatin maker Geltor, and vegan ice cream firm Perfect World Ice Cream. It also invests in cellular agriculture technology.
The companies that Beyond Impact has invested in have a turnover of between €3 million and €35 million, and the average investment is around €200,000 over a period of five to 10 years.
How to pitch: Via the Contact form on the website.
https://www.beyondinvesting.co/
BIG IDEA VENTURES – USA
Big Idea Ventures invests in seed stage plant-based and cell-based startups.
Its first fund, The New Protein Fund (size $50M), is investing in the most innovative companies working on plant-based foods/ingredients, food technology, and alternative proteins.
Big Idea Ventures combines capital, partnerships, and mentorship to support and grow the world’s most compelling plant-based food and alternative protein companies.
Through its accelerator programs it invests USD $125K in the world’s best alternative protein companies twice per year by application.
Current investments include Revolution Gelato (US vegan ice cream); Gourmey (cell-based foie gras), Grounded (artisanal vegan cheeses); and Patch Organics (pumpkin seed milk).
Apply to the accelerator on the site & contact kitty [at] bigideaventures [dotcom] with questions.
BLUE HORIZON – SWITZERLAND
Part of the Glass Wall Syndicate of plant-based investors.
Founded by Roger Lienhard (pictured), who is vegan, Blue Horizon Corporation Inc is one of the leading investors in plant-based food- and agri-tech, with a portfolio of over 30 investments that include vegan seafood company Good Catch Foods, cruelty-free gelatin firm Geltor, plant-based cheese company Heidi Ho Organics, and vegan media outlet LiveKindly.
Businesses seeking investment from this company need to be related to food or agriculture with a focus on plant-based or other alternatives that are not based on animals and supporting the plant-based lifestyle.
How to pitch: Via the Contact form on their website or via email at invest [at] bluehorizon [dotcom]
BRAN INVESTMENTS (V) – UK
This UK-based firm provides seed funding and specifically names ‘ethical and vegan products’ as an investment interest.
The company has provided equity investment two years in a row (as of 2018) to a vegan Dragons’ Den-style pitch event, Pitch + Plant, organized by media and events startup Vevolution, in London. You can read about that in my Forbes article here.
How to pitch: Via the ‘Send us a pitch’ button on their website.
http://www.braninvestments.co.uk/
CAPITAL V: MICHIEL VAN DEURSEN (V) – EUROPE (OPERATES GLOBALLY)
A former tech entrepreneur behind the largest classifieds internet platform in Belgium, as well as an Amsterdam-based internet agency and a tech incubator, Michiel now invests solely in plant-based businesses.
His passion for healthy living began while training for an Ironman triathlon, when he learned not only what a plant-based diet can do for personal fitness but also of the wider positive impact on the planet.
He runs Capital V and invests in all business that are scalable and take animals out of the production process, including food, tech, materials and fashion.
He was an early investor of The Vegetarian Butcher in the Netherlands (sold to Unilever) and has invested in Sweet Nothings, Fooditive, Natural Fibre Welding, and Mission Barns.
Michiel invests in scalable startups that offer plant-based solutions with a global focus and a multi- founder team and that are looking for early-stage ventures, pre-seed to series A.
How to pitch: Via the contact form on the website or email to contact [at] veganinvestor.vc
SEBASTIANO COSSIA CASTIGLIONI (V) – SWITZERLAND & THE CAYMAN ISLANDS
Born in Milan, Italy, Sebastiano Cossia Castiglioni is an award-winning entrepreneur, activist, investor, and advisor to businesses and governments around the world.
Although his expertise spans the food, finance, wine, technology, life sciences, and art sectors, his greatest passion is animals.
A decades-long vegan and animal rights activist, Sebastiano’s primary focus is on promoting the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle globally; fighting against the cruelty and injustice of animal agriculture, and striving to protect the natural world from the catastrophic environmental effects of climate change resulting from the global consumption of animal products.
Sebastiano divides his time between Asia, Europe and the US.
He was one of the early investors in Beyond Meat. Other investments include Plantable (formerly Euphebe – plant-based meal delivery and nutrition coaching); Aquafaba (vegan butter); and Good Catch (plant-based seafood).
Sebastiano invests through Vegan Capital SA, his plant-based VC arm.
Listen to my interview with Sebastiano Cossia Castiglioni on Vegan Business Talk here.
How to pitch: Contact Carlo at team [at] vegancapital [dotvc]
EMANUEL J. FRIEDMAN PHILANTHROPIES
Part of the Glass Wall Syndicate of plant-based investors.
This company says its supports the plant-based protein market. It also supports non factory-farmed animal food production.
How to pitch: Does NOT accept unsolicited grant applications; it suggests using their Contact section on the website to send a brief inquiry.
FIFTY YEARS VC: SETH BANNON & ELA MADEJ (V) – USA
Part of the Glass Wall Syndicate of plant-based investors.
Seth and Ela are the founding partners at seed fund Fifty Years.
Seth was noted as being part of the “vegan mafia” group of investors in this CNBC report.
Ela has worked in tech since 2006.
How to pitch: Approach in person at their events or send an email. See their FAQ page for details.
GLASS WALL SYNDICATE – INTERNATIONAL
This consortium describes itself as a “large group of venture capitalists, foundations, trusts, non-profits, and individual investors who share a similar investment thesis and want to accelerate mainstream adoption of products and services that will make a difference in the lives of animals, people and that are better for the planet.”
It contains a mix of social impact, vegan and plant-based investors. Some members of the group are listed separately in this article.
How to pitch: Via the Contact form on their website.
https://glasswallsyndicate.org/
GROVER & COMPANY ENGLAND: AMIT GROVER (V) – UK
Grover & Company is a VC management firm that (as of August 2020) is currently raising USD $30m towards an early-stage seed capital fund.
The fund is keen to invest and partner with plant-based entrepreneurs and help them grow both locally and internationally.
Unlike other VCs, Grover says it likes to get involved in a hands-on capacity working with entrepreneurs in all areas of their business and addressing hurdles or barriers they may face through the fund’s capital investment, industry knowledge and relationships.
Types of businesses Grover is looking to invest in include plant-based (vegan) meat and dairy substitutes; frozen foods, ready-to-eat foods, fast-food casual cloud kitchens with a delivery-backed model; and contract manufacturing & distribution infrastructure (all vegan).
Investment Criteria: Early-stage companies that are already in the market beyond the concept stage requiring seed capital ranging from USD $250,000 to $2.5m.
How to pitch: Via the contact form on the fund’s website.
HORIZONS VENTURES – HONG KONG
Part of the Glass Wall Syndicate of plant-based investors.
Horizons is based in Hong Kong and manages the private investments of renowned Asian investor Li Ka-Shing.
The company is particularly interested in disruptive and technology-focused start-ups.
It has invested in vegan egg replacement company JUST, animal-free milk firm Perfect Day and plant-based food company Impossible Foods.
How to pitch: Via the ‘Pitch Alley’ section of their website.
JEREMY COLLER FOUNDATION – UK
Part of the Glass Wall Syndicate of plant-based investors.
The foundation is a strategic grant-making organization with a focus on animal welfare and human health issues caused by factory farming.
As well as providing grants, the foundation also runs the Farm Animal Investment Risk & Return initiative (FAIRR), an investor initiative that aims to put factory farming on the ESG agenda.
How to pitch: Does NOT accept unsolicited pitches and only provides funding on an invitation basis.
http://www.jeremycollerfoundation.org/
KALE INVEST: MÅNS ULLERSTAM (V) – SWEDEN
Part of the Glass Wall Syndicate of plant-based investors.
Kale Invest is a brand new (as of June 2018) plant-based investment platform, founded by serial entrepreneur Måns Ullerstam, a veteran in the tech and management space.
The company is looking to invest in all kinds of plant-based industries, especially if they are low on carbon footprint and/or healthy.
Examples of some of the businesses the company has invested in include Taku Taku (a vegan fast food chain currently in Sweden, but expanding) and SenzaGen (a company trying to replace animal testing in the medical field).
How to pitch: Via the Contact form on their website.
KBW VENTURES: PRINCE KHALED BIN ALWALEED (V) – USA
KBW Ventures has a strong focus on alternatives to animal-based foods, as well as sustainability.
The founder and CEO is Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed who is committed to ending factory farming in his lifetime.
A member of the Saudi Arabian royal family, Prince Khaled invests in global businesses, from technology start-ups to established companies.
Investments include JUST, Geltor and vegan publishing company Plant Based News.
How to pitch: No information or contact details provided on the website. Director of Investments Roy Choi advises the best way to get in touch is via LinkedIn.
NEW CROP CAPITAL – USA
Part of the Glass Wall Syndicate of plant-based investors.
A food-focused investment fund that primarily provides angel, seed, and series A funding, with investments ranging from $50,000 to $1,000,000.
New Crop invests in plant-based alternatives to animal-derived foods as well as cellular agriculture technology.
Its portfolio includes American plant-based meat company Beyond Meat, New Zealand-based plant-based company Sun Fed Meats and vegan cheese firm Kite Hill.
How to pitch: Via the Contact form on their website.
NEXT WAVE IMPACT: ALICIA ROBB (V) – USA
Part of the Glass Wall Syndicate of plant-based investors.
This organization aims to increase women’s participation in angel investing.
It’s spearheaded by a team of female investors, including vegan Alicia Robb whose most recent vegan investments include New Wave Foods, Vaute, LivWell Nutrition, and The Gold Leaf Collective, a vegan restaurant in Fort Collins, Colorado.
How to pitch: By email via their Contact Us button on the website.
POWERPLANT VENTURES: T.K. PILLAN & KEVIN BOYLAN (V) – USA
Part of the Glass Wall Syndicate of plant-based investors.
Powerplant Ventures provides capital to rapidly growing plant-centric companies.
Two of its directors, T.K. Pillan and Kevin Boylan, are the founders of vegan fast food chain Veggie Grill.
Their portfolio includes vegan cookie company Hail Mary, snack firm Beanfields, and plant-based milk company Ripple Foods.
How to pitch: Via email through their Contact button on the website.
STRAY DOG CAPITAL: LISA FERIA (V) – USA
Part of the Glass Wall Syndicate of plant-based investors.
This fund invests in early-stage companies that are part of a movement away from an animal-based economy.
Lisa’s investments include Beyond Meat, Good Seed Burger and Sun Fed Meats.
How to pitch: Via the Contact form on their website.
TONIC INVESTMENTS – USA
Part of the Glass Wall Syndicate of plant-based investors.
Tonic is a member-driven impact investment community that boasts more than 160 high net worth individuals, family offices, foundations and institutional investors, as of the time of writing this article.
The company lists its criteria for investment for companies that already currently have a Tonic investor as well as companies that don’t. The latter’s requirements include at least $50,000 in revenue, must already be generating measurable social and/or environmental impact, and has raised capital from investors (who are not part of the team) for an earlier round, or has capital commitments for the open round.
How to pitch: Via the ‘Investment Criteria for Entrepreneurs’ application section on their website.
TREADLIGHT VENTURES: BRETT T. (V) – USA
Treadlight Ventures invests in companies that are making a huge impact in taking down the animal-based economy. It places a heavy focus on beauty and fashion. It has some food investments and is partial to science- and tech-driven solutions.
The company’s portfolio includes veteran vegan shoe brand Mink Shoes and New Save Foods.
How to pitch: Contact Brett T. at brett [at] treadlight [dotcom] or via the contact form on their website.
VBITES VENTURES: HEATHER MILLS (V) – UK
VBites Ventures, headed up by vegan entrepreneur Heather Mills in the UK, nurtures business ideas, helping entrepreneurs with plant-based ideas and vision to transform their ideas into fully-fledged businesses.
It offers a plant-based incubator and accelerator.
Current ventures supported include nut milk brand M*lkman, vegan supplement company Fit Delis, food brand LoveSeitan and pizza brand One Planet Pizza.
How to pitch: Via the ‘Apply with your venture’ section on the website.
VEGAN INVESTORS (V) – USA (OPERATES GLOBALLY)
Vegan Investors, an initiative of Next Wave Impact (see earlier entry in this post), is an investor network made up of individuals who are accredited investors and committed to building a community of like-minded investors to support the growth and success of vegan companies.
Spearheaded by Alicia Robb, Vegan Investors aims to invest in early-stage vegan companies where vegan values are a driving passion.
The network also puts a focus on companies headed up by women, people of color, gender-non-conforming people and other traditionally overlooked communities.
Investment criteria: Vegan Investors is interested in companies that have the potential to scale. It does not fund vegan food trucks or single location restaurants, non-profit organizations, or companies that do not have the potential to address a large market or create a meaningful positive impact in the world.
The network generally looks for early-stage companies raising pre-seed or seed rounds in the range of $100K-$1M.
How to pitch: https://veganinvestors.com/apply-for-funding (Vegan Investors also holds virtual pitch meetings)
VEG CAPITAL: MATTHEW GLOVER (V) – UK (OPERATES GLOBALLY)
Veg Capital was launched in 2020 by Matthew Glover, the co-founder of Veganuary.
It provides early-stage capital to companies striving to replace the use of animals in the food system.
A specialist private venture fund, Veg Capital primarily provides early-stage Angel, Seed, and Series A funding, with investments typically ranging from £50,000 to £250,000. For the right opportunity the fund will consider larger investments.
Investments include plant-based seafood company Good Catch; vegan pizza brand One Planet Pizza; chocolate brand Mummy Meagz; and plant-based milk company Mighty Pea.
How to pitch: https://vegcapital.co.uk/pitch-guidance/
VEGINVEST: JODY RASCH (V) – USA
Part of the Glass Wall Syndicate of plant-based investors.
VegInvest is a vegan investment fund providing early-stage capital and guidance to companies striving to replace the use of animals.
It has a particular focus on food, biology (eliminating animal-testing as well as producing synthetic alternatives to animal-derived products and systems) and plant-based restaurants.
Listen to my interview with VegInvest founder Jody Rasch on Vegan Business Talk here.
How to pitch: Via the ‘Pitch Us Your Idea’ button on their website.
https://www.veginvesttrust.com
ADD YOUR NAME
Should YOU be on this list? If so, please email me at katrina [at] veganbusinessmedia [dotcom] with the following information in this format:
Your name
Name of your organization/fund (if any)
Your location (country)
Whether you are vegan yourself
Types of businesses you invest in or are looking to invest in (eg food, tech, fashion etc)
Names of 2-3 vegan/plant-based businesses you already invest in (if applicable)
Investment criteria (brief summary, or if this is available online, provide a URL link)
Your website URL (if applicable)
How to pitch you (include a URL or Contact Form or email address)
Katrina Fox is an award-winning vegan journalist, publisher, speaker, PR consultant and media trainer who teaches vegan business owners, entrepreneurs and change makers how to get free publicity by sharing their stories. Katrina was a regular contributor to Forbes for a year, writing about vegan and plant-based business. She is the founder and editor-in-chief of Vegan Business Media, the host of Vegan Business Talk podcast, and the author of Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business. Katrina is also the creator of Vegans in the Limelight: Online PR course for Vegan Business Owners and Entrepreneurs. For more information and to hire Katrina, email her at katrina [at] veganbusinessmedia [dotcom]
