AgFunderNews reports on the evolution of the global food and agriculture system. By going beyond the headlines, we analyze the people, companies and technologies aiming to improve human and planetary health. Publishing daily, our team of award-winning journalists delivers deeper insight on the growing foodtech, agtech and climate tech industries. A multimedia publication, AgFunderNews is a division of AgFunder, one of the world’s most active agrifoodtech venture capital firms.
Bidding war for Miyoko's, Meati now 'debt-free,' Japan's agrifoodtech scene, GLP-1 and our protein obsession, David Protein battle heats up
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Alt dairy bidding war: Miyoko Schinner did not win her bid to reclaim the brand she built. However, the winning bidder may face challenges as it will own the trademark but not the license to use the founder's name or image... Also:
'Human-centered’ AI is top of mind for Foodora, says Jenn. Japan's agrifoodtech ecosystem is maturing, reveals Louisa. Do the economics of recombinant dairy stack up? Elaine asks Remilk. Protein drive: Rapid weight loss is frequently accompanied by loss of lean muscle mass. But is our obsession with pushing more protein at GLP-1 users missing the mark? Elaine quizzed an expert panel. Have a great week! Louisa, Jenn, and Elaine... Top 100 VC: AgFunder was recognized by TIME as one of America’s top 100 VC firms in 2025 More on our top-tier firm and upcoming opportunities: AgFunder Fund V Is your business ready for AI analytics? Find out more here Japan’s agrifoodtech ecosystem takes larger slice of Asia pie SKS Japan summit showcased a maturing sector with deep tech strength and many cross-sector partnerships. Louisa Burwood-Taylor Miyoko Schinner fails to buy back namesake brand The founder raised $102k via GoFundMe in an 11th-hour bid to “reclaim" the company she created. Elaine Watson New owner now controls Meati 'debt-free' The alt meat company is planning a rebrand after mass layoffs. Elaine Watson Beyond Meat CEO says ‘plenty of fight left in us’ after gloomy Q3. “We built a system that was for much higher revenue than we’re currently facing," says Ethan Brown. Elaine Watson EPG showdown: Startups warn of ‘permanent closure’ in fight vs David Protein David Protein says it is under no obligation to keep selling EPG to firms with no long-term supply contracts. Elaine Watson
Climate adaptation funding jumps 120% - new report Yet it still receives less than 10% of climate finance. "Philanthropy can't do it alone," says Gates Foundation. Jennifer Marston New fund to help Latam agtech startups access US markets Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy supports the St Louis-based Core Facilities Access Fund. Jennifer Marston ‘New Milk’ signals new phase for recombinant dairy, says Remilk Unlocking triple-digit titers is "the real game" needed to achieve competitive economics, says CEO. Elaine Watson New Meati owner insists brand ‘poised for growth’ “They’re spinning this like some growth story when it’s really just collapse," claimed one employee. Elaine Watson Plus: Qorium raises funds to scale cultivated leather and Number8 Bio raises $11m for livestock methane reduction. Jennifer Marston Incorporating AI in food delivery, with Foodora CIO Artificial intelligence should support and enhance the human elements of quick commerce, says Herbert Haas. Jennifer Marston Guest article: Agtech VCs must stop competing over crumbs and start collaborating Returns will come faster if we build the infrastructure this asset class needs to mature together, write guest contributors Sarah Nolet and Connie Bowen. Yet the agriculture sector cannot do it alone, writes guest contributor Bruce Campbell 🎥 Tufts MD on GLP-1 and the protein obsession: 'I worry we might be missing the mark' Resistance exercise is also key, says Dr. Ryan Kane. Elaine Watson
EXCLUSIVE: Mass layoffs at Meati after weeks of payroll glitches Elaine Watson Cargill's new robot dog is 'part of a much larger shift' towards 'responsible' AI Jennifer Marston Elaine Watson
Bayer weighs Roundup’s demise over thousands of cancer lawsuits Bloomberg PepsiCo's CEO says fiber will be the next protein Business Insider The alternative protein litigation trap: How regulatory ambiguity created a shakedown industry Mark Haas Beehiiv When is transition finance needed for regenerative agriculture (and when not)? Bill Gates defends contentious climate shift Axios The world is struggling to halt climate change. But can it adapt? Financial Times AgroFresh announces imaging and orchard analytics partnerships with Aerobotics and Neolithics - Featuring Aerobotics! Eurofruit How GROWMARK streamlined manual analytics using Lumi AI - Featuring Lumi AI! Lumi AI 2025 Developing Markets AgriFoodTech Investment Report 2025 Global AgriFoodTech Investment Report 2024 Asia Pacific AgriFoodTech Investment Report 2024 Africa AgriFoodTech Investment Report 10 years in agrifoodtech: our exclusive 83-page e-zine! 2024 India AgriFoodTech Investment Report Climate Capital: Financing Adaptation Pathways for Smallholder Farmers Hwy Haul (remote/hybrid/US) Graduate mechanical engineer Hoxton Farms (London, UK) Ganaz (Latin America) Future Fields (Edmonton, Canada) Aerobotics (Cape Town, South Africa/remote) Solinftec (Araçatuba, São Paulo, Brazil) Varaha (Maharashtra, India) Rarebird (remote) ♥️ our newsletter? Forward to a friend or subscribe here |
AgFunderNews
AgFunderNews reports on the evolution of the global food and agriculture system. By going beyond the headlines, we analyze the people, companies and technologies aiming to improve human and planetary health. Publishing daily, our team of award-winning journalists delivers deeper insight on the growing foodtech, agtech and climate tech industries. A multimedia publication, AgFunderNews is a division of AgFunder, one of the world’s most active agrifoodtech venture capital firms.
Two scoops this week: A meltdown at alt-meat co Meati, which initiated mass layoffs blaming “financial holds on company accounts,” and news that bidders—including Miyoko Schinner—are circling the assets of alt-dairy brand Miyoko’s, which entered insolvency proceedings last month. There was also bad news from Danish insect ag firm ENORM, which was declared bankrupt, although fellow insect ag firm nextProtein raised new funds to scale production in Tunisia. Precision fermentation startup The...
This week, Bill Gates threw the cat amongst the pigeons... While climate change is serious, it will "not lead to humanity’s demise," said Gates; tackling poverty and disease are now higher on his agenda, according to a new essay. "Sometimes the world acts as if any effort to fight climate change is as worthwhile as any other. As a result, less-effective projects are diverting money and attention from efforts that will have more impact on the human condition." Elsewhere, Jenn Marston had a...
This week: a mixed bag for alt protein. Plant-based cheesemaker Stockeld Dreamery called it quits, while MATR Foods secured new funds to expand its minimally processed meat alternatives, and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office teamed up with The EVERY Company and Vivici to explore a 4-million-liter facility for alt protein production in the UAE. Elsewhere, Jenn Marston examined the current state of the bioherbicide market and checked in on Q3 funding for ag robotics, while Elaine Watson caught up...