FoodLabs

What they fund

• Early-Stage FoodTech — Seed and Series A rounds for companies transforming the food industry, such as Ditto Daily and Aardaia [1][3].
• Sustainable Agriculture — Hardware and software for smarter farming, exemplified by Voltrac's electric tractors [3].
• Alternative Proteins — Companies developing mycelium protein (Pacifico Biolabs) and dairy alternatives (Formo) [1].
• Health & Wellness — Evidence-based supplements and human performance companies like Ahead and Ditto Daily [1].
• Carbon Removal — Nature-based carbon removal solutions, as seen in InPlanet [1].

Investment thesis

FoodLabs assists the bold in building iconic companies committed to planetary and human health, tackling key challenges of our time by investing across the entire food value chain from earth to earth [1][2].

• Purpose-Driven Innovation — Backing ambitious, purpose-driven entrepreneurs to change the world's largest industry through a thesis-driven approach [2].
• Full Value Chain Coverage — Investing in companies along the entire food industry value chain, from agriculture and biotechnology to health and sustainability [2].
• Global Impact from Berlin — Operating with a global mindset despite its Berlin base, supporting entrepreneurs globally [1].
• Specific Thematic Focus — Targeting carbon removal, mycelium protein, dairy alternatives, and smarter agricultural technology [1].

Value add

FoodLabs operates a venture studio alongside its VC arm, identifying new opportunities and partnering with daring entrepreneurs and scientists [2].

Fit verdict: Ideal for founders in food, sustainability, and health seeking both capital and operational support from a studio model.

Founder diligence script:

• What specific operational support does the FoodLabs studio provide during the pre-seed stage?
• How does the studio model influence the firm's follow-on investment strategy for Series A rounds?
• What is the typical timeline for studio-to-VC transition for portfolio companies?
• How does FoodLabs leverage its network of 27 team members and 6 partners for portfolio support?
• What metrics does FoodLabs use to evaluate the success of its studio-invested companies?

Portfolio focus

• Vertical Farming — INFARM, a global vertical farming network revolutionizing food supply chains [3].
• Cellular Agriculture — Meatable, a developer of proprietary technology for producing meat without livestock [3].
• Cannabinoid Pharmaceuticals — Sanity Group, a developer of cannabinoid-based pharmaceuticals and well-being products [3].
• Agri-Tech Hardware — Voltrac, a manufacturer of electric tractors designed for agricultural applications [3].
• Grocery Delivery — Gorillas, an online platform offering multi-category grocery products with rapid delivery [3].

Notable investments & exits

• Gorillas — Acquired, with total funding of $1.33B [3].
• Sanity Group — Acquired, with total funding of $109M [3].
• INFARM — Valued at $* in Series D, with total funding of $499M [3].
• Meatable — Reached Series B, with total funding of $100M [3].
• Infinite Roots — Identified as a 'soonicorn' by Tracxn [3].

Strategic implications

FoodLabs' studio model provides a unique advantage in sourcing and nurturing early-stage foodtech companies, creating a pipeline of deals that other VCs may not access. The firm's focus on the entire food value chain allows for diversified risk and cross-sector synergies within its portfolio. The active investment pace and notable exits signal strong market confidence, but also create pressure to maintain high performance and deal flow.

Where they could go further

FoodLabs could expand its geographic focus beyond Europe to tap into emerging foodtech markets in Asia and North America. The firm could deepen its expertise in biotechnology and sustainability by partnering with specialized scientific institutions. FoodLabs could enhance its value proposition by offering more structured mentorship programs for founders from underrepresented backgrounds. The firm could explore co-investment opportunities with corporate VCs in the food and agriculture sector to leverage strategic partnerships.