The Consumer VC Roundup #91
The Latest News & Monthly Consumer Coffee Meetups For the Emerging Consumer Ecosystem
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Hey friends,
For all those who attended our consumer coffees this past week – I hope you had a great time! I’ll have November’s lineup on the next issue.
If you’re based in LA, join us for MFD’s Pumpkin Spice and Retail Advice Happy Hour in West Hollywood on November 6th. I’ll be interviewing retail expert Vanessa Ting, as we bring the consumer community together for a fun evening with nosh and seasonal drinks. You can RSVP Here.
On to the latest news in consumer.
This Week In Consumer
🧃Consumer Brands👚
💰Fundraises💰
🎯 7 Mile Brands, a CPG incubator led by Jason Cohen and Sammy Kestenbaum, has invested $3 million in Drumroll, a brand known for its low-sugar, high-protein refrigerated donuts. These baked donuts, available in Chocolate, Vanilla, and Strawberry, feature only 1g of sugar, 10g of protein, 8g net carbs, and 190 calories, offering health-conscious consumers a guilt-free, indulgent snack. PRNewswire
🌐 British deodorant brand AKT London has raised $10 million in a funding round led by Felix Capital to drive growth. The investment will support product line expansion, entry into new markets like the United States, and retail partnerships with Barneys New York, Bloomingdales, and Credo Beauty, along with future plans for Europe and Australia. GCIMagazine
💸M&A💸
🥤 Keurig Dr Pepper is set to acquire energy-drinks brand Ghost in a two-phase deal, starting with a 60% share for around $990 million and purchasing the remaining 40% in 2028, based on Ghost’s 2027 financial performance. The transaction is expected to close by late 2024 or early 2025. JustDrinks
🍾 Topikos Spirit & Beverage Company has acquired Ren Ultra Premium Vodka, broadening its vodka portfolio after launching its debut brand, Mailroom, in September. The acquisition aims to diversify Topikos’ market reach by adding a luxury vodka to complement Mailroom’s super-premium positioning. JustDrinks
🍪 J.M. Smucker is selling its Voortman cookie brand to Second Nature Brands for $305 million in cash. The deal includes Smucker’s leased Ontario manufacturing facility, with around 300 employees transitioning to the new ownership. Expected to close by the fiscal third quarter, this sale aligns with Smucker’s strategy to focus on high-growth areas. FoodDive
🥣 Stratas Foods, LLC has signed an agreement to acquire AAK Foodservice, Hillside, a New Jersey facility, in a move designed to increase Stratas’ presence in the value-added oils, dressings, sauces and mayonnaise categories. Through the acquisition Stratas will expand to nine US manufacturing facilities from eight. FoodBusinessNews
🛍️ Pacific World Corporation, part of Prospect Capital, has acquired Nails Inc, with founder Thea Green continuing as head of the brand. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed. BeautyPackaging
🚀Debuts, Distribution & Expansion🚀
🍹 Raventós Codorníu has expanded its non-alcoholic portfolio with the launch of Raimat Zero, its first still wines with less than 0.5% alcohol. The Spanish wine group, which already offers non-alcoholic cava, is releasing a Raimat Zero Blanco (made from Xarel-lo and Chardonnay) and Raimat Zero Rosado (from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Grenache) at €8.95 each. JusrDrinks
🥚 Burcon NutraScience has launched Puratein, a plant-based canola protein isolate for baked goods, as a sustainable egg replacement. This protein alternative, with over 90% purity, can replace up to 100% of powdered and shelled eggs, potentially saving manufacturers 20-30% on costs. The egg replacement market is seeing increased demand due to recent bird flu challenges and rising egg prices. FoodDive
💚 Whole Moon, the non-dairy, plant-based beverages, is introducing a line of plant-based protein beverages in almond, oat, and pistachio varieties. Each drink contains nine essential amino acids and is free from added oils and artificial flavors. FoodBusinessNews
🥗 Barvecue is launching plant-based crumbled bacon toppings made with pea protein, sweet potato, organic apple cider vinegar, canola oil, and spices. The product is available online at barvecue.com, with a retail launch planned soon. FoodBusinessNews
❤️ Alaffia founder Olowo-n’djo Tchala has launched Ayéya, a new beauty and lifestyle brand available at Whole Foods, focused on sustainable, ethically crafted products that support economic independence for African women. BeautyIndependent
🎀 Ulta Beauty is expanding its K-Beauty lineup by adding six new skincare brands—Rael, Ma, Mediheal, Skin1004, Dearcloud, and Knours—to its mass skincare section both online and in select stores. These additions complement existing K-Beauty offerings like Peach & Lily, Cosrx, and TonyMoly. BeautyIndependent
📌 Cosmewax, the private label cosmetics brand, has expanded with a new skincare factory in Puzo, Spain, increasing its production capacity by 50% following a 16.7% revenue rise in 2023. This €11 million, 5,100-square-meter facility emphasizes sustainability with a photovoltaic system for self-sufficient energy and has earned Cosmewax an EcoVadis Platinum Medal. GCIMagazine
🛒 Merit has launched its first fragrance, Retrospect Extrait de Parfum, available for $52 on MeritBeauty.com. Developed over four years with master perfumer Fanny Bal, Retrospect uses a high concentration of fragrance oil to deliver a lasting scent designed to evolve throughout the day. GCIMagazine
💆🏻♀️ Lucas Meyer Cosmetics by Clariant has launched Pickmulse, an innovative surfactant-free emulsifier and encapsulation system utilizing patented quinoa starch technology. Pickmulse facilitates Pickering emulsions, enhances sensory qualities, and promotes positive emotions, making it ideal for sensitive skin, microbiome care, and well-being. GCIMagazine
💁🏻♀️ Sally Beauty has introduced the ion Luxe 8-in-1 Airstyler Pro, a versatile hair styling tool featuring four heat settings and eight attachments with negative ion technology. This advanced tool, designed to reduce heat damage, builds on the technology of the ion Luxe 4-in-1 Autowrap Airstyler, allowing for gentler styling through air application. BeautyPackaging
💄 E.l.f. Beauty has launched its "Dupe That!" campaign, encouraging the community to support its mantra of doing good through its FY 2024 Impact Report. The campaign promotes collaboration for positive impact, underlining that "anything is e.l.f.ing possible" when companies uplift one another. BeautyPackaging
🎀 Estée Lauder has debuted on the Amazon Premium Beauty store in the U.S., marking a new online expansion for the brand. As part of this launch, it’s introducing an Amazon-exclusive Virtual Foundation Tool, enabling customers to explore and select from 55 shades of its Double Wear foundation. BeautyPackaging
✨ I Dew Care, the K-beauty-inspired skincare brand with playful packaging aimed at Gen Z, has launched in nearly 1,600 Walgreens stores across the U.S., featuring a curated selection of its top products. BeautyPackaging
🧴 Lumene has introduced a new sustainable, bio-based 50 ml moisturizer jar that requires 44% less packaging material while containing the same amount of product. This colorful monomaterial jar is fully recyclable, reflecting Lumene's commitment to reducing environmental impacts and its status as a Certified B Corp. BeautyPackaging
🪇Collabs🪇
🤝 E.l.f. Cosmetics has teamed up with Stanley to release a limited-edition collection featuring five Glow Reviver Lip Oil shades, including Crystal Clear Night and Red Delicious. The collection includes a specially designed tumbler lip oil holder that fits on Stanley Tumblers' handles. BeautyPackaging
✨ Fenty Beauty has teamed up with Riot Games’ animated series Arcane, inspired by League of Legends, to launch an exclusive Arcane Collection on November 2, 2024. The collection showcases makeup looks for characters from Season 2, with packaging featuring series-inspired icons and metallic shades. BeautyPackaging
🫧 NotCo has partnered with Cramer to launch the NotCo Generative AI Fragrance Formulator, an innovative tool that utilizes an extensive database of fragrance formulations. This AI-powered platform enables rapid development of fragrances, showcasing NotCo's commitment to leveraging technology in the flavor and fragrance industry. BeautyPackaging
↪️Rebrands & Relaunches↩️
🐠 Campbell Soup is rebranding its popular Goldfish crackers as “Chilean Sea Bass” for a limited time to appeal to adult consumers. The playful, fish-themed name change reflects Goldfish’s growing popularity among adults, with over half of its buyers now being grownups and Gen Z consumers notably driving demand. FoodDive
🧴 Origins, part of Estee Lauder Companies, has unveiled new sustainable packaging for its Youthtopia plant-powered skincare collection, cutting plastic use by 35%. This launch is the first to feature the eco-friendly design, which includes 30% post-consumer recycled materials. BeautyPackaging
💻Consumer Software💻
💰Fundraises💰
🛒 Vinted, Lithuania’s second-hand marketplace, has raised €340 million in a funding round led by TPG, boosting its valuation to €5 billion. Major investors, including Hedosophia, Baillie Gifford, and Moore Strategic Ventures, participated alongside existing backers EQT, Accel, and Insight Partners. EUStartups
📱 Hue, a beauty content creation platform, has raised $4.5 million in seed funding to expand its client base. Led by Fika Ventures and Underscore VC, the round also saw contributions from Sequoia Scouts, The MBA Fund, Heirloom Fund, and others, with returning investors and support from a Google Startups grant and Project Connect. BeautyIndependent
🚀 Recyda has raised €6.3M in Series A funding, led by Cusp Capital, to expand its sustainable packaging management platform. This SaaS solution helps international brand owners, retailers, and packaging manufacturers navigate complex global regulations, supporting brands like Beiersdorf, Kao, and Trolli in meeting EU packaging mandates. TechEU