The ice cream production industry in Europe thrives on innovation and tradition alike. Companies range from large multinationals like Unilever and Nestlé to artisanal makers focusing on unique flavors and sustainable ingredients. The sector is increasingly leaning towards plant-based products in response to growing health and environmental concerns. According to recent reports, the European ice cream market is set to expand over the next few years, driven by trends in premium and dairy-free offerings. Interesting insights highlight the surge in demand for gelato and sorbets, with summer being the peak season for sales.


The investors featured in this list represent a mix of venture capital, private equity, and corporate firms, located primarily in urban hubs like London and Zurich. Founded between 1866 and 2017, these investors vary greatly in size, from small firms with under ten employees to multinational giants boasting over 10,000. In 2024, they collectively made significant investments, with notable players such as Nestlé and Unilever focusing on strategic acquisitions and sustainable practices, reflecting the industry's promising growth.


Top 13 Ice Cream Production Investors in Europe


1. Crowdcube

  • Website: crowdcube.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: crowdcube-limited

Crowdcube is a London-based crowdfunding platform founded in 2010 that enables businesses to raise capital through equity investments. It connects startups and SMEs with potential investors, facilitating the funding process. Crowdcube has been involved in several notable transactions within the ice cream production sector, including Snowflake Luxury Gelato, which raised $814,407 in February 2023, Northern Bloc, which raised $53,266 in February 2020, and Hackney Gelato, which raised $1,138,719 in September 2022. These investments highlight Crowdcube's commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion while providing investment management services to its clients, particularly in the food and beverage industry.


2. 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, specializing in sustainable food systems. The firm is dedicated to supporting mission-aligned founders in the bioeconomy by providing funding and resources to scale innovative solutions, particularly in alternative proteins and sustainable practices. Notable transactions include their investment in Change Foods, which focuses on plant-based cheese production, and Heartbest Foods, a supplier of plant-based cheese and milk. These investments reflect Blue Horizon's commitment to sustainable food alternatives, which could extend to ice cream production, especially in the context of plant-based or alternative ice cream products.


3. Enterprise Ireland


Enterprise Ireland is a public entity that serves as the Irish government's enterprise development agency, founded in 1998. It supports Irish businesses at all stages of their growth journey by providing funding, advisory services, and market access assistance. The agency focuses on helping companies scale and compete internationally across various industries, including technology and manufacturing. Notably, Enterprise Ireland has been involved in several transactions relevant to the ice cream production sector, such as providing grants to Gino's Gelato and Dansko Foods, as well as venture funding to companies like Irish Yogurts and Dairy Concepts. These investments highlight their active role in fostering growth within the ice cream and dairy industries, making them a significant player in this market.


4. Unilever

  • Website: unilever.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1872
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • LinkedIn: unilever

Unilever PLC is a multinational consumer goods company based in London, England, founded in 1872. It offers a diverse range of products, including food, beauty, personal care, and cleaning agents, with a strong focus on sustainability. Unilever has made several strategic acquisitions in the ice cream sector, enhancing its portfolio significantly. Key transactions include the acquisition of Talenti Gelato & Sorbetto in December 2014, Weis Frozen Foods in September 2017, and Betty Ice in January 2018, which allowed them to strengthen their presence in various markets. More recently, in June 2023, Unilever agreed to acquire Yasso, a low-calorie frozen snacks company, to further enhance its premium ice cream offerings. Additionally, they acquired Ingman Ice Cream Oy Ab in December 2011, further solidifying their position in the ice cream industry. These transactions highlight Unilever's active role in the ice cream production market, aligning with their broader strategy of providing essential goods that enhance daily living.


5. CPT Capital

  • Website: cptcap.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2017
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: cpt-capital

CPT Capital is a venture capital firm based in London, England, founded in 2017. The firm specializes in investments in the alternative protein sector, partnering with innovative startups to provide funding and strategic support aimed at revolutionizing food and materials technology by replacing animal-derived products. Their focus is on sustainable solutions that address the challenges of traditional animal protein production. Notable transactions include investments in Better Dairy, which is working on dairy alternatives, and Miyoko's Kitchen, known for its plant-based dairy products. Additionally, CPT Capital has invested in New Culture, a company producing animal-free cheese, which is relevant to the ice cream production context as it highlights their interest in dairy alternatives. These investments reflect CPT Capital's commitment to supporting the development of innovative food products that align with the growing demand for sustainable and plant-based options.


6. 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. It offers a diverse range of products, including coffee, dairy, and pet care items, and operates globally with a commitment to sustainability. Notably, Nestlé has made significant investments in the ice cream sector, including the acquisition of Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream Inc. in 2003 for $2.8 billion, which expanded its share of the U.S. ice cream market from 10% to 18%. Additionally, Nestlé acquired Dreyer's again in 2006 for $2.4 billion, further solidifying its position in the ice cream industry. The company also acquired Garoto in 2002, although the details of that transaction are less clear. These transactions highlight Nestlé's strategic focus on enhancing its ice cream portfolio and its active role in the ice cream production market.


7. Crédit Mutuel Equity


Crédit Mutuel Equity is a private equity investment firm based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 1988. The firm focuses on providing capital and strategic support to businesses across various sectors, integrating economic and ESG considerations into their investment strategies. Notably, they have made several investments in the ice cream production industry, including La Compagnie des Desserts, Sill Entreprises, La Fraiseraie, and French Desserts. These transactions highlight their commitment to supporting companies that are directly involved in the production of ice cream and related dessert products, showcasing their expertise and interest in this specific market.


8. Orkla ASA

  • Website: orkla.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Oslo, Oslo, Norway
  • Founded year: 2017
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: orkla-asa

Orkla ASA is a leading industrial investment company based in Oslo, Norway, with a focus on branded consumer goods, aluminium solutions, and financial investments. Founded in 2017, the company operates through various sectors, including food, snacks, health, and personal care items. In recent years, Orkla has made significant strides in the ice cream production industry through its subsidiary, Orkla Food Ingredients. Key transactions include the acquisition of a 70% stake in Hadecoup, enhancing its position in the ice cream ingredients market in the Benelux region; an 84% stake in Denali Ingredients, a major supplier of ice cream ingredients in the USA; and the acquisition of Laan Heiloo, which focuses on the soft-serve ice cream market in the Netherlands. These acquisitions reflect Orkla's strategic intent to strengthen its footprint in the ice cream sector, making it a notable player in this industry.


9. Cvc

  • Website: cvc.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: cvc-capital-partners

CVC Capital Partners is a prominent private equity firm based in Luxembourg, founded in 2005. It specializes in private equity, credit, secondaries, and infrastructure, managing approximately €193 billion in assets for over 1000 clients, including pension funds and institutional investors. CVC has made significant investments in the food sector, including the acquisition of Dodoni, a Greek dairy brand, which positions them in the dairy market relevant to ice cream production. Additionally, their acquisition of Grupo Monbake, a leading frozen dough company, further highlights their engagement in the food industry, as frozen dough products are often used in dessert applications, including ice cream. These transactions reflect CVC's strategy of delivering sustainable value and growth through strategic investments in sectors that can complement the ice cream production industry.


10. Ardian

  • Website: ardian.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 1996
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 21
  • LinkedIn: ardian

Ardian is a prominent investment management firm based in Paris, specializing in private equity, real assets, and credit solutions. Founded in 1996, Ardian has established a global presence and focuses on sustainable finance, aiming to create lasting value for its clients. Among its notable transactions, Ardian acquired Frostkrone in 2012, a company known for producing frozen snacks, including ice cream products. In 2020, Ardian also acquired Frulact, a supplier of natural food ingredients, which could be relevant to the ice cream industry. Additionally, Ardian's acquisition of Berlys and Cérélia Group further demonstrates its active engagement in the food sector, enhancing its portfolio in areas that may intersect with ice cream production.


11. 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. Their investment portfolio includes companies like Wicked Foods, which raised funds to expand its plant-based food offerings, and Jay&Joy, which is involved in plant-based dairy alternatives. Additionally, their investment in Les Nouveaux Affineurs, a company producing plant-based cheese, highlights their commitment to supporting innovative and compassionate business models in the food sector. Beyond Impact VC aims to provide funding to organizations that align with their mission of promoting sustainability and animal welfare.


12. IK Partners

  • Website: ikpartners.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1989
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 14
  • LinkedIn: ik-investment-partners

IK Partners is a private equity firm based in London, England, specializing in mid-market investments across Europe. Founded in 1989, the firm focuses on providing capital and strategic support to businesses in various sectors, including Business Services, Healthcare, Consumer, and Industrials. Notably, IK Partners has made significant investments in the food sector, including the acquisition of Hjem-IS in 1991, a company known for its ice cream products. Additionally, they acquired Mademoiselle Desserts in 2018, which produces frozen desserts, and Cérélia Group in 2015, a company involved in the production of ready-to-bake dough products, which may include ice cream-related desserts. Their recent acquisition of GoodLife Foods, a frozen snacks manufacturer, further demonstrates their active involvement in the frozen food sector, reinforcing their relevance to ice cream production.


13. Unilever Ventures

  • Website: unileverventures.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2002
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 9
  • LinkedIn: unileverventures

Unilever Ventures is a corporate venture capital firm based in London, England, founded in 2002. The firm specializes in investing in emerging brands and technologies, particularly in the beauty and wellness sectors. However, they have also shown interest in the food and beverage industry, as evidenced by their investments in companies like Hangyo, which raised $5 million in a venture round in 2013, and SNOG, which raised an undisclosed amount in 2012. These transactions highlight Unilever Ventures' engagement with ice cream production, demonstrating their capability to support startups in this sector while leveraging Unilever's extensive network to help these businesses grow.



Ice Cream Production Insights: Key Investors in Europe


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
CrowdcubeLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-20020103
Blue HorizonZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-5020162
Enterprise IrelandDublin, Dublin, Ireland501-1000199848
UnileverLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)10001+18720
CPT CapitalLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)1-1020171
NestléVevey, Vaud, Switzerland10001+18662
Crédit Mutuel EquityParis, Île-De-France, France51-20019882
Orkla ASAOslo, Oslo, Norway10001+20171
CvcLuxembourg1001-5000200516
ArdianParis, Île-De-France, France1001-5000199621
Beyond Impact VCMontreux, Vaud, Switzerland1-1020172
IK PartnersLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)201-500198914
Unilever VenturesLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)11-5020029


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