The gourmet food and beverage industry in the DACH region focuses on high-quality, often artisanal products that appeal to discerning consumers. This sector features companies that produce gourmet chocolates, premium wines, organic products, and innovative plant-based alternatives. Sustainability and health concerns are driving trends, with a growing emphasis on organic ingredients and environmentally friendly practices. Emerging technologies like fermentation and alternative proteins are reshaping offerings, aiming to meet the evolving tastes of consumers. Notably, the market is witnessing an increase in gourmet food delivery services, reflecting the greater demand for convenience without compromising quality.


The current roster of gourmet food and beverage investors in DACH consists of a variety of investor types, including venture capital firms, corporate investors, and private equity participants. Headquartered primarily in vibrant cities like Berlin and Zurich, these investors range in size from small firms with less than ten employees to multinationals with thousands on their payroll. Founded between 1866 and 2020, many have actively engaged in deal-making with a count of investments in 2024 reflecting their growing commitment to this sector. The investment landscape in this field is rich with potential, demonstrating an appetite for innovation.


Top 13 Gourmet Food and Beverage Investors in DACH


1. Blue Horizon

  • Website: bluehorizon.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2016
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: bluehorizoncorp

Blue Horizon is a Zurich-based venture capital firm founded in 2016, dedicated to investing in sustainable food systems. The firm provides funding and resources to mission-aligned founders in the bioeconomy, particularly focusing on alternative proteins and sustainable practices. Notable transactions include investments in YES CACAO, a company that raised funds to innovate in the chocolate sector, and LIVEKINDLY, which raised significant capital to promote plant-based food options. Other investments include Jay&Joy, known for its plant-based dairy products, and Hail Merry Snacks, which specializes in healthy snacks. These transactions highlight Blue Horizon's commitment to supporting innovative solutions in the gourmet food and beverage space, particularly those that prioritize sustainability.


2. Nestlé

  • Website: nestle.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Vevey, Vaud, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1866
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: nestle-s-a-

Nestlé S.A. is a multinational food and beverage company based in Vevey, Vaud, Switzerland, founded in 1866. With over 10,000 employees, Nestlé offers a diverse range of products, including coffee, dairy, and pet care items. The company has made notable acquisitions in the gourmet food and beverage sector, including a majority stake in Blue Bottle Coffee for approximately USD $425 million, enhancing its position in the premium coffee market. In 2021, Nestlé acquired the Chilean premium chocolate company La Fête Chocolat, further solidifying its presence in the luxury chocolate market. Additionally, the acquisition of Ankerkraut, a spice manufacturer, showcases Nestlé's interest in high-quality culinary products. These transactions reflect Nestlé's strategy to cater to gourmet consumers while maintaining a commitment to sustainability and quality.


3. FoodLabs

  • Website: foodlabs.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2016
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 11
  • LinkedIn: atlantic-food-labs

FoodLabs is an investment firm and food technology incubator based in Berlin, founded in 2016. They specialize in supporting innovative startups in the food tech sector, providing both investment and consulting services to entrepreneurs. Their mission is to promote sustainable food solutions and address global challenges related to food security and health. Notable transactions include their participation in Yababa, a grocery delivery service focusing on Turkish and Arabic foods, which highlights their interest in diverse culinary offerings. Additionally, they have invested in Freda, a startup that raised funds in both pre-seed and seed rounds, indicating their active role in nurturing early-stage food ventures. Overall, FoodLabs is dedicated to fostering innovation in the food industry, making them a relevant player in the gourmet food and beverage space.


4. 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. Beyond Impact VC has made notable investments in the gourmet food and beverage sector, including GOURMEY, which raised funds in both Pre-Seed and Series A rounds to develop gourmet plant-based meat alternatives. Additionally, they invested in Les Nouveaux Affineurs, a startup that creates plant-based cheese alternatives, raising 2 million euros to expand its offerings in Europe. Their portfolio also includes Wicked Foods, which focuses on innovative plant-based food products, further solidifying their commitment to the gourmet food industry.


5. Tet Ventures

  • Website: tet.vc
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2020
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: tetvc

Tet Ventures is a corporate venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2020. The firm specializes in investing in teams that are focused on rebuilding the global food system, with a strong emphasis on food technology. They provide both financial support and advisory services to startups tackling significant challenges in the food industry. Notable transactions include their investment in Black Sheep Foods, a San Francisco-based foodtech startup that raised $12.3 million in Series A funding, focusing on plant-based alternatives, which is a growing segment in the gourmet food market. Additionally, they participated in funding rounds for Kingdom Supercultures, a company that supplies microbial cultures, which are essential for developing innovative food products. These investments highlight Tet Ventures' commitment to supporting advancements in the gourmet food and beverage sector.


6. Döhler Ventures


Döhler Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany, founded in 2014. The firm specializes in empowering early-stage startups primarily in the Nutrition & Technology sectors, providing both investment and support to help these companies grow. Their approach is long-term and entrepreneurial, fostering innovation within these industries. Notably, Döhler Ventures has made significant investments in the gourmet food and beverage context, including JustSpices, which raised funds in a Series A round in 2015, and Willicroft, a Netherlands-based alternative cheese startup that raised €2 million in a pre-seed round in 2022. These transactions highlight their commitment to supporting innovative food products that cater to the gourmet market.


7. Partners Group

  • Website: partnersgroup.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Baar, Zug, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1996
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 19
  • LinkedIn: partners-group

Partners Group Holding AG is a prominent investment management firm based in Baar, Zug, Switzerland, specializing in private equity, private infrastructure, private real estate, and private debt. Founded in 1996, the firm manages over USD 149 billion in assets and is recognized for its innovative investment strategies and commitment to sustainability. Among its notable transactions, Partners Group acquired Vermaat Groep, a company involved in food services, which aligns with the gourmet food and beverage sector. Additionally, they participated in a funding round for Hortifruti, a company focused on fresh produce, further emphasizing their engagement in the food industry. These investments reflect Partners Group's diverse portfolio and their interest in sectors that include gourmet food and beverages.


8. Rocket Internet SE


Rocket Internet SE is a venture builder based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2007. The firm specializes in incubating and investing in internet and technology companies globally, providing operational support and capital to entrepreneurs. Among its notable transactions, Rocket Internet has made significant investments in the food and beverage sector, particularly through its involvement with Delivery Hero. In 2015, Rocket Internet acquired a 30% stake in Delivery Hero for €496 million and participated in multiple funding rounds, including a $561 million Series H round and a $110 million private equity round. Additionally, Rocket Internet has expanded its reach in the food delivery market by acquiring major Spanish and Italian food delivery businesses, La Nevera Roja and Pizzabo. These transactions highlight Rocket Internet's active role in the gourmet food and beverage industry, particularly in the context of food delivery services.


9. Point Nine

  • Website: pointnine.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2011
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: point-nine-capital

Point Nine is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2011. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage companies, particularly in the SaaS, enterprise software, and B2B marketplace sectors. However, they have also ventured into the gourmet food and beverage industry, as evidenced by their investments in Gourmey, a French cultivated meat startup that raised €48 million in a Series A round, marking a significant milestone in the alternative protein sector. Additionally, Point Nine participated in Gourmey's earlier seed round, contributing $10 million. This involvement highlights their interest in innovative food technologies and sustainable food solutions, complementing their primary focus on technology startups.


10. 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 investing in startups and businesses that focus on sustainable food solutions, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of food production. Their investment strategy includes providing financial support, strategic guidance, and fostering collaboration among industry players to drive innovation in the food sector. Notably, Good Seed Ventures has been involved in significant transactions within the gourmet food and beverage context, such as their investments in Formo, a company focused on dairy alternatives, and Chunk Foods, an Israeli startup that produces plant-based meat products using fermentation technology. These investments highlight their commitment to supporting innovative and sustainable food solutions that align with gourmet food trends.


11. Barry Callebaut Group


Barry Callebaut Group, founded in 1996 and based in Zurich, Switzerland, is a leading chocolate manufacturer and cocoa processor operating within the food and beverage industry. The company produces a diverse range of chocolate and cocoa products tailored for various customers, including multinational manufacturers and artisanal users. Barry Callebaut emphasizes sustainability and ethical sourcing in its operations, which is increasingly important in the gourmet food sector. Notable transactions include the acquisition of Gertrude Hawk Ingredients, which enhances their Specialties & Decorations business in North America, and the acquisition of La Morella Nuts, aimed at expanding their offerings in chocolate and nut products. These strategic acquisitions reflect their commitment to growth in the gourmet food market, making them a relevant investor in this space.


12. 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 is a leading chemical distributor based in Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, founded in 1874. The company connects chemical manufacturers and users, providing a wide range of specialty and industrial chemicals, along with value-added services. Brenntag serves approximately 195,000 customers across various industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, and oil & gas. Notably, Brenntag has made significant strides in the gourmet food and beverage sector through strategic acquisitions. In 2021, they acquired JM Swank Co., a US-based food ingredients distributor, for USD 304 million, which doubled their size in the Nutrition business in North America. Additionally, their acquisitions of Kluman & Balter and A1 Cake Mixes Limited in 2017 further solidified their position in the bakery ingredients market. These transactions highlight Brenntag's active role in the gourmet food and beverage industry, particularly in the distribution of high-quality food ingredients.


13. SevenVentures

  • Website: sevenventures.de
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: 10262962

SevenVentures is a corporate investment firm based in Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, founded in 2009. The firm specializes in media investments and partnerships with consumer-oriented startups, providing media-for-equity and media-for-revenue investments to enhance brand visibility through tailored advertising strategies. In 2024, SevenVentures has been involved in several notable transactions, particularly in the gourmet food and beverage sector. They participated in the Seed Round for TiNDLE, a company focused on plant-based chicken alternatives, and Formo, which raised $61 million in Series B funding for its innovative dairy alternatives. Additionally, they have invested in Next Gen Foods, which is also involved in the alternative protein space. These investments highlight SevenVentures' commitment to supporting startups that are shaping the future of food and beverage, particularly in the gourmet segment.



Gourmet Food and Beverage Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Blue HorizonZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-5020162
NestléVevey, Vaud, Switzerland10001+18662
FoodLabsBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201611
Beyond Impact VCMontreux, Vaud, Switzerland1-1020172
Tet VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany1-1020204
Döhler VenturesDarmstadt, Hesse, Germany1-1020143
Partners GroupBaar, Zug, Switzerland1001-5000199619
Rocket Internet SEBerlin, Berlin, Germany201-50020070
Point NineBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201116
Good Seed VenturesRheine, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany1-1020181
Barry Callebaut GroupZurich, Zurich, Switzerland10001+19960
BrenntagEssen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany10001+18748
SevenVenturesFlensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany11-5020093


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