Bidding war for Miyoko's, Meati now 'debt-free,' Japan's agrifoodtech scene, GLP-1 and our protein obsession, David Protein battle heats up


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

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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

AgriFood Signals: GoPuff nets $250m, Microsoft, Land O’ Lakes partner on AI, M&A for carbon markets, COP30 protests

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.

Guest article: Making agricultural subsidies part of social welfare is a step towards a just rural transition

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

Ginkgo and Bayer’s quest to rewrite the fertilizer rulebook: The race to create next-gen nitrogen-fixing biologicals

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)?

LinkedIn

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

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2025 Global AgriFoodTech Investment Report

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10 years in agrifoodtech: our exclusive 83-page e-zine!​

2024 India AgriFoodTech Investment Report

Climate Capital: Financing Adaptation Pathways for Smallholder Farmers

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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.

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