The poultry processing industry in DACH focuses on the preparation and sale of poultry products, ranging from fresh meat to processed items. Companies in this sector include specialized meat processors, alternative protein startups, and established food manufacturing giants. Notably, an increasing trend toward sustainability and lab-grown options is emerging, driven by consumer demand for ethical and environmentally friendly products. With innovations such as cultured meat gaining traction, the industry is optimistic about growth, balancing traditional practices with advancements that address ecological concerns. As consumers seek transparency and quality, the poultry processing sector is evolving to meet these evolving needs.


The investors in this list come from diverse backgrounds, encompassing venture capital firms, private equity entities, and corporate investors. Located across Switzerland and Germany, these investors vary in size from emerging firms to significant corporate players. Established between 2006 and 2021, they have collectively participated in numerous deals, totaling over 60 investments in 2024 alone. Their investment strategies focus on advancing innovative solutions within the poultry processing landscape, showcasing a strong commitment to sustainable food technologies and products that reflect shifting consumer preferences.


Top 12 Poultry Processing Investors in DACH


1. Beyond Impact VC


Beyond Impact VC is a venture capital firm based in Montreux, Vaud, Switzerland, founded in 2017. The firm specializes in sustainable and animal-free products and services, focusing on early-stage companies that promote vegan lifestyles and technologies that replace animal-derived products. Notably, Beyond Impact VC has been involved in significant transactions within the poultry processing context, such as their investment in SuperMeat, an Israeli start-up that is developing lab-grown 'clean chicken' products, which highlights their interest in innovative poultry alternatives. They have also invested in GOURMEY, a company focused on cultured meat, and The EVERY Company, which is working on animal-free egg proteins. These transactions reflect their commitment to supporting companies that are redefining the poultry industry through sustainable practices.


2. Good Seed Ventures

  • Website: goodseedventures.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Rheine, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
  • Founded year: 2018
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: good-seed-ventures

Good Seed Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Rheine, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, founded in 2018. The firm specializes in sustainable food solutions, investing in startups and businesses that aim to reduce the environmental impact of food production. Their services include financial support, strategic guidance, and fostering collaboration among industry players to innovate in the food sector. Notably, Good Seed Ventures has participated in significant transactions such as investing in SuperMeat, an Israeli startup developing lab-grown 'clean chicken' products, which highlights their engagement in the poultry processing context. They have also invested in other alternative protein companies like Chunk Foods and Meatable, which, while not exclusively poultry-focused, contribute to the broader landscape of sustainable meat alternatives. This positions Good Seed Ventures as a forward-thinking investor in the evolving food industry.


3. Thia Ventures

  • Website: thiaventures.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Plan-Les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2021
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: thia-ventures

Thia Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Plan-Les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland, founded in 2021. The firm focuses on investing in early-stage companies at the intersection of food, biotech, and health, providing funding and support to innovative startups that aim to transform food systems and improve health outcomes. Their portfolio includes a diverse range of companies specializing in enzyme engineering, cultivated meats, and biofertilizers. Notably, Thia Ventures has participated in significant transactions within the cultivated meat sector, such as the seed funding for Clever Carnivore, which is producing cultivated pork sausage, and the Series A investment in Gourmey, a leading cultivated meat startup focused on poultry products. These investments highlight Thia Ventures' commitment to advancing alternative protein sources, including those relevant to poultry processing.


4. Possible Ventures

  • Website: possible.ventures
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Munich, Bavaria, Germany
  • Founded year: 2021
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 9
  • LinkedIn: possible-vc

Possible Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 2021. The firm focuses on innovative startups across various sectors, including food technology. Notably, Possible Ventures participated in the funding rounds of Meatable, a cultivated meat startup that raised $47 million in a Series A round, indicating their interest in the future of meat production. They also invested in Fable Food, which raised $4.8 million in a seed round, further showcasing their engagement in the food sector. Additionally, Possible Ventures has been involved in funding rounds for other startups like Farmless, which aims to expand its operations in the food industry. This diverse investment portfolio highlights Possible Ventures' commitment to supporting innovative solutions in food production, including those that may intersect with poultry processing.


5. redalpine


Redalpine is a venture capital firm based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 2006. The firm specializes in investing in technology and science sectors, providing funding and strategic support to startups. Their focus areas include AI, health tech, and energy, but they have also made significant investments in the foodtech sector. Notably, Redalpine participated in funding rounds for Umiami, a foodtech company, and Luya Foods, which develops plant-based alternatives to meat. Luya Foods raised funds to scale up production and accelerate research and development, indicating a strong commitment to innovative food solutions. Additionally, Redalpine invested in Uncommon, a cultivated meat startup focusing on cultivated pork, showcasing their interest in alternative protein sources. These transactions highlight Redalpine's engagement in the evolving food industry, which includes potential applications in poultry processing.


6. Leaps by Bayer

  • Website: leaps.bayer.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: leapsbybayer

Leaps by Bayer is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2015. It focuses on biotechnology and agriculture, investing in early-stage companies that are pursuing scientific breakthroughs to tackle major global challenges in health and food security. The firm provides funding and active incubation to support the development of innovative solutions in these sectors. Notably, Leaps by Bayer has participated in various transactions, including a significant investment in NuCicer, an agri-food technology company that is scaling production of chickpea varieties with enhanced protein content. This investment is particularly relevant to the poultry processing industry, as it addresses the nutritional aspects of poultry feed. Other investments include Fork & Good, Amfora, and Pairwise Plants, which, while not directly related to poultry processing, reflect the firm's commitment to advancing agricultural technologies that could indirectly benefit the poultry sector.


7. PHW Group


PHW Group, founded in 1932 and based in Visbek, Lower Saxony, Germany, is a corporate investor specializing in poultry production and alternative protein sources. The company offers a diverse range of poultry products and plant-based alternatives, catering to both retail and consumer markets. PHW Group emphasizes sustainability and innovation in food production, aiming to meet the growing demand for diverse and healthy dietary options. Notably, they have formed strategic partnerships with innovative companies in the poultry sector, such as SuperMeat, which focuses on lab-grown 'clean chicken' products, and Mosa Meat, which is involved in the development of cultured meat. These transactions highlight PHW Group's active role in advancing poultry processing technologies and their commitment to the future of the industry.


8. Hannover Finanz

  • Website: hannoverfinanz.de
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany
  • Founded year: 1979
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: hannoverfinanz

Hannover Finanz is a private equity firm based in Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany, founded in 1979. The firm specializes in providing equity capital to medium-sized family businesses in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, focusing on sustainable growth through strategic investments and consulting services. Hannover Finanz has been involved in several notable transactions, including the acquisition of GETI WILBA GmbH & Co. KG in 2008 and Schiller Fleisch GmbH in 2016, both of which are relevant to the poultry processing industry. Their investment in VEMAG Maschinenbau GmbH in 1990 also highlights their interest in companies that may support the food processing sector. Overall, Hannover Finanz's portfolio reflects a commitment to enhancing the capabilities of businesses within the poultry processing and broader food industry.


9. European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF)


The European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF) is a venture capital firm based in Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, founded in 2020. It specializes in sustainable investments aimed at fostering a circular bio-based economy. ECBF provides funding and expertise to growth-stage companies across various sectors, including agriculture, food, and industrial biotechnology. Notably, ECBF has invested in In Ovo, a Dutch AgTech company that has raised €34 million to enhance its solutions in the poultry sector, demonstrating its commitment to innovations that support sustainable poultry processing. Additionally, ECBF has participated in funding rounds for other companies in the foodtech space, such as Heura Foods, which, while focused on plant-based products, reflects the fund's broader interest in sustainable food production. This diverse portfolio indicates ECBF's strategic approach to investing in the bioeconomy, including areas that intersect with poultry processing.


10. Brenntag

  • Website: brenntag.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
  • Founded year: 1874
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 8
  • LinkedIn: brenntag

Brenntag SE, founded in 1874 and headquartered in Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, is a leading global chemical distributor that connects chemical manufacturers with users across various industries. With a workforce of over 10,000 employees, Brenntag serves approximately 195,000 customers, providing a wide range of specialty and industrial chemicals along with value-added services. In recent years, Brenntag has made strategic acquisitions to enhance its position in the food sector, including the acquisition of JM Swank Co. in June 2021, which significantly expanded their Nutrition business in North America. This acquisition is expected to double their size in this segment, creating a leading distributor with approximately USD 1 billion in revenue. Additionally, Brenntag has acquired other companies like Zytex Group and Chemgrit Group's operative business, further diversifying their portfolio. These transactions highlight Brenntag's commitment to expanding its capabilities in food ingredients, which may encompass poultry processing.


11. Bell Food Group AG


Bell Food Group AG, founded in 1869 and based in Basel, Switzerland, is a prominent food manufacturer specializing in meat and convenience food production. The company offers a diverse range of products, including fresh meat, poultry, charcuterie, and seafood, catering to both consumers and businesses in the food industry. In recent years, Bell Food Group has made strategic acquisitions to enhance its market position, such as the acquisition of Cher-Mignon, a local charcuterie supplier, aimed at expanding its expertise in regional specialties. Additionally, they acquired a majority stake in Hügli, which is expected to significantly boost their revenues in the convenience food market. While their investments in Mosa Meat indicate an interest in innovative meat production technologies, their core operations still include poultry processing, affirming their relevance in this sector.


12. GEA Group

  • Website: gea.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Neunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
  • Founded year: 1881
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: geagroup

GEA Group AG is an industrial technology supplier founded in 1881, based in Neunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The company specializes in machinery and systems for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical sectors, providing a wide range of products including automation systems and processing equipment. GEA Group has been active in enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of production processes for its business customers. Notably, GEA has made several acquisitions to strengthen its position in the food processing industry, including the acquisition of dairy technology firms such as Venture Dairy Services and South West Dairy Services. While these transactions focus on dairy, GEA's expertise in food processing technology positions them well to also engage in poultry processing, making them a relevant player in this sector.



Poultry Processing Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Beyond Impact VCMontreux, Vaud, Switzerland1-1020172
Good Seed VenturesRheine, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany1-1020181
Thia VenturesPlan-Les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland1-1020213
Possible VenturesMunich, Bavaria, Germany1-1020219
redalpineZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-50200618
Leaps by BayerBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201516
PHW GroupVisbek, Lower Saxony, Germany5001-1000019321
Hannover FinanzHanover, Lower Saxony, Germany11-5019792
European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF)Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany11-50202011
BrenntagEssen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany10001+18748
Bell Food Group AGBasel, Basel, Switzerland10001+18690
GEA GroupNeunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany10001+18811


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