As consumers seek more plant-based alternatives to traditional foods, more brands have launched vegan options like New Culture's vegan mozzarella, and giant food producers have also taken note.
Kraft Heinz, one of the biggest producers and distributors of cheese, recently invested $3.5 million into New Culture -- a New Zealand-based biotech startup that uses fermentation to make cruelty-free and plant-based cheese. The vegan-friendly dairy product is made using microbes and yeast to replicate the traditional taste and texture of mozzarella.
New Culture has previously received funding from other investors including IndieBio, Boost VC, SOSV, Bee Partners, CPT Captial, and Bee Partners, but Kraft Heinz' recent investment is one of its largest contributors. This speaks to the pattern of non-vegan food producers expanding their portfolio to meet consumer needs with plant-based food options.
Vegan Mozzarela Cheese Investments
Kraft Heinz Invested in the Vegan Cheese Brand New Culture
Trend Themes
1. Plant-based Cheese - Investments in vegan cheese brands like New Culture highlight the growing demand for plant-based alternatives to traditional dairy products.
2. Fermentation Technology - New Culture's use of fermentation to create vegan mozzarella presents opportunities for disruptive innovation in the food production industry.
3. Expansion of Non-vegan Brands - The investment by Kraft Heinz in New Culture signifies a trend of non-vegan food producers diversifying their offerings to include cruelty-free and plant-based options.
Industry Implications
1. Food Production - The rising popularity of plant-based cheese presents opportunities for innovation and market growth within the food production industry.
2. Biotechnology - New Culture's use of biotech fermentation methods to produce vegan mozzarella opens up possibilities for disruptive innovation in the biotechnology sector.
3. Investment and Finance - The investment by Kraft Heinz in New Culture demonstrates the potential for financial growth and profit in the plant-based food industry, attracting the attention of investors.