Investment Highlight: Vegan Investments

When I think vegan, I think Moby. The man has been a public vegan since 1987 and continues to advocate for this environmental and ethical solution to a world devoted to animal consumption. When recently asked why he has been investing heavily in dairy and meat alternatives, he replied that nutritionally, rice and beans were the perfect food. Still, the key to turning meat-lovers into plant-based believers is providing meat-like options.

                                                       Perfect Day founders

The foodtech industry seems to agree. Whether it's driven by a founder's principles of reducing greenhouse gas emissions caused by the meat industry (generating 60% of all food industry emissions) or a corporation eyeing green after BeyondMeat's 2019 IPO, we're looking at the latest in alternatives to animal products.

• Berkeley's Perfect Day uses a milk alternative whey protein to recreate dairy creations like cream cheese and ice cream. I just sent my Cal alum & biochemistry whiz niece the company's website and its many job postings. 
• Impossible Foods is another California native company planting vegan seeds in the public's mind with its juicy plant-based "meats." The company has reached a $7BN valuation with its late 2021 Round H.
• For the lobster roll fanatics with crustacean compassion, there's Goodcatch. The seafood alternative was PETA's 2021 company of the year.

For more investments in this area, check out our fundings search using the keyword "plant-based."