The Consumer VC Roundup #90
The Latest News & Monthly Consumer Coffee Meetups For the Emerging Consumer Ecosystem
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This Week In Consumer
🧃Consumer Brands👚
💰Fundraises💰
Hello Cake, a sexual wellness and telehealth company, has raised $18 million in Series B funding and acquired Trigg Laboratories, the parent company of lubricant brand Wet. BeautyIndependent
💸M&A💸
Pernod Ricard is selling several Nordic brands, including Finnish liqueurs Minttu and Lapponia, to Hartwall, part of Royal Unibrew. The move allows Pernod to focus on its premium spirits and Champagne brands. Financial details were not disclosed, but Hartwall will take over production at a carbon-neutral site in Turku, Finland. JustDrinks
Smart Foods has acquired The Aussie Plant-Based Co, which recently entered liquidation due to cash flow issues. The Gold Coast-based manufacturer will purchase the company’s plant, equipment, stock, intellectual property, and brands vEEF and Love Buds. The acquisition will allow Smart Foods to retain about half of the workforce, while Fënn Foods, the former parent of vEEF, will cease operations. Vegconomist
N Brown is set to be taken private by the Alliance family in a £191m deal. Joshua Alliance, a non-executive director, made a 40p per share offer, a premium over the company's recent stock prices. With the Alliance family already holding about 60% of N Brown's shares, the acquisition is expected to succeed. RetailGazette
🚀Debuts, Distribution & Expansion🚀
Beautyologie, the fair-trade marketplace, has launched a new giftable brand, WOO, to further promote its message. Founder Robin Tolkan-Doyle noticed a demand for natural ingredients like apricot oil while optimizing the website, inspiring the creation of this new line to meet customer needs. BeautyIndependent
Charlotte Cho’s brand, Then I Met You, has expanded into Sephora US after launching in Sephora stores across Asia, including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the Philippines. BeautyIndependent
The Better Meat Co., the California-based food processing company, is expanding to Asia after it has received approval from the Singapore Food Authority to sell its Rhiza mycoprotein. This confirms the safety of Neurospora crassa, the fungi used in its production, for human consumption. Vegconomist
Kaiser, a new brand specializing in frozen oat-based desserts, has launched across select retailers in Quebec. The brand was developed by Nathan Kaiser, a Canadian farmer with extensive experience in small-batch oat production. Vegconomist
Voyage Foods, a food technology company based in Oakland, California, is expanding its manufacturing operations with a new 284,000-square-foot facility in Mason, Ohio, backed by $25 million from the USDA. The plant, set to begin operations by January 2025, will produce cocoa-free chocolate, nut-free spreads, and bean-free coffee, with an annual capacity of 10,000 metric tons of cocoa-free chocolate. Vegconomist
Ferrero is launching Butterfinger's first major innovation in nearly a decade with the limited-time Salted Caramel bar, debuting in April. This new version features the classic peanut butter flavor but wrapped in caramel instead of milk chocolate. More temporary flavor launches are expected soon. FoodDive
Hairapy, the plastic-surgeon-developed hair care brand has launched a clinically proven hair restoration and scalp rejuvenation line targeting hair loss, thinning, and dullness. Using advanced nanosphere and microsphere technology, the brand promises professional-grade results and healthier hair growth. BeautyPackaging
IBG (Innovative Beauty Group) has launched the Urban Oasis collection, featuring bath, body, skincare, color cosmetics, and tools. Designed for modern urban lifestyles, the collection focuses on protecting and revitalizing the skin using powerful ingredients. BeautyPackaging
L’Oréal Group, in partnership with Abolis Biotechnologies and Evonik, has introduced new sustainable biotech-based ingredients derived from renewable sources. These innovative ingredients will be used in beauty and skincare products, offering a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional methods. BeautyPackaging
Ulta Beauty plans to open 200 new stores over the next three years, aiming to reach over 1,800 locations. This expansion is part of its long-term growth strategy focused on Assortment, Experience, Access, and Loyalty, as outlined during its 2024 Investor Day. FashionNetwork
Miranda Kerr's Kora Organics skincare line debuted on QVC, featuring popular products like the Noni Glow Face Oil, Turmeric Moisturizer, and exclusive bundles such as the Anti-Aging Plant Stem Cell Retinol Set and the Body Duo with Turmeric Scrub and Noni Oil. FashionNetwork
🪇Collabs🪇
Maude has partnered with L'Oréal and the Louvre Museum to feature its vibrators, Vibe and Spot, in the exhibit "Private Lives: From the Bedroom to Social Media," which explores the history of privacy. BeautyIndependent
Foot Locker, the footwear brand, has entered a multi-year partnership with the Chicago Bulls, offering fans unique experiences through community basketball events, exclusive in-store activations, and behind-the-scenes content featuring Bulls players. FashionNetwork
Zara is set to launch a festive capsule collection with iconic British model Kate Moss on November 30. The collaboration, featuring chic and casual outfits with classic lines and a touch of glamour, was developed with designer Katy England's involvement. FashionNetwork
↪️Rebrands & Relaunches↩️
Umiami Foods has rebranded to Swap as it expands into the U.S. market. The French food-tech company, known for its plant-based whole-cut chicken, aims to increase demand for its products, marketed as a direct substitute for traditional chicken. FoodDive
🔻Closures🔻
LOLI Beauty, known for its sustainability efforts with organic, waterless formulas and eco-friendly packaging, has closed its operations. BeautyIndependent
💻Consumer Software💻
💰Fundraises💰
Neuphonic, a UK-based startup specializing in rapid text-to-speech technology, has raised £3 million in pre-seed funding. Led by Moonfire VC, the funding round also saw participation from Tiny VC, Salica Oryx Fund, and Cur8 Capital. Neuphonic's Voice AI technology has applications in education, real-time translation, content creation, customer service, digital avatars, and AI gaming. TechEU
Vay, a German startup specializing in teledriving technology, has secured a €34 million investment from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to expand its operations in Europe. TechEU
🛒eCommerce & Retail Tech🛒
A4ord, a Germany-based startup, has launched an online marketplace to tackle appointment scheduling challenges in the European service industry. The platform connects small and medium businesses, freelancers, and users seeking popular services, providing a seamless experience for online booking and payment. TechEU
💰Funds Raising Funds💰
Banco Português de Fomento (BPF) has increased its investment in Indico VC Fund II from €35 million to €50 million, following strong performance. Indico VC Fund II, managed by Indico Capital Partners, supports early-stage tech startups and has invested €14.8 million across four companies so far. TechEU