The meat processing industry in Benelux is dynamic, incorporating diverse companies engaged in various aspects of meat production, including slaughtering, packaging, and distribution. Companies range from large industrial firms to innovative startups focused on meat alternatives and sustainable practices. With a growing emphasis on health-conscious products and environmental sustainability, the industry is shifting towards advanced processing techniques and alternative protein sources. Notably, the region has witnessed increased investment in cultivated and plant-based meats, reflecting broader consumer trends and regulatory support, positioning Benelux as a potential hub for future meat innovation.


The list of 13 investors in the Benelux meat processing sector illustrates a mix of corporate giants and nimble venture capitalists. Investors vary in size, with some managing thousands of employees while others maintain lean teams. Founded from 1958 to 2020, these firms have collectively made 299 investments by 2024. Represented industries range from public entities like the European Investment Bank to strategic venture capital initiatives such as PeakBridge and Rubio Impact Ventures, reflecting both traditional finance models and fresh, impactful approaches to food investment.


Top 13 Meat Processing Investors in Benelux


1. EIT Food

  • Website: eitfood.eu
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 2016
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 37
  • LinkedIn: eit-food

EIT Food is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2016, based in Leuven, Flanders, Belgium. It focuses on transforming the food system through innovation, education, and entrepreneurship. EIT Food supports agrifood startups and entrepreneurs by providing resources, funding opportunities, and educational programs aimed at creating healthier and sustainable food solutions. In 2024, EIT Food was involved in several transactions relevant to the meat processing context, including grants to Quest Meat, which focuses on meat alternatives, and other food tech companies like Esencia Foods and BOB FoodTech. These transactions highlight EIT Food's engagement with innovative solutions in the food sector, including meat processing and alternatives, fostering collaboration and driving change in the industry.


2. 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 investment firm founded in 2005, based in Luxembourg, managing approximately €193 billion in assets for over 1000 clients, including pension funds and institutional investors. The firm specializes in private equity, credit, secondaries, and infrastructure investments. Notably, CVC has made significant acquisitions in the meat processing sector, including Kalle, a company known for its meat products, and Heiploeg Beheer, which is involved in seafood processing. Additionally, CVC acquired Provimi, a global leader in animal nutrition, further emphasizing their commitment to the food and meat processing industries. These transactions highlight CVC's strategic focus on delivering sustainable value and growth through investments in sectors that include meat processing.


3. dsm-firmenich

  • Website: dsm-firmenich.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: dsmfirmenich

dsm-firmenich is a for-profit company based in Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands, operating primarily in the nutrition, health, and beauty sectors. The company offers a diverse range of products, including fragrances, nutritional supplements, and active pharmaceutical ingredients. As a venture capital investor, dsm-firmenich has shown a significant interest in the meat processing industry through its investments in cultivated meat companies. Notably, they participated in funding rounds for Meatable, which focuses on scaling cultivated meat production, and have also invested in other food tech startups like Paleo and Meala FoodTech, which are developing innovative protein solutions. These transactions highlight dsm-firmenich's commitment to enhancing sustainability and innovation in the food sector, particularly in meat processing.


4. European Investment Bank (EIB)


The European Investment Bank (EIB) is a public entity based in Luxembourg, established in 1958, that provides financial services including loans, equity investments, guarantees, and advisory services to support sustainable projects across various sectors. In 2024, EIB was involved in 99 investments, showcasing its active role in financing initiatives that promote growth and job creation. Among its notable transactions, EIB provided a pioneering investment of €40 million to Devenish Nutrition, an agri-technology company focused on research and development in animal nutrition and food innovation. This funding is aimed at developing a Global Innovation Centre and supporting innovation-related projects that could enhance the meat processing industry. Additionally, EIB has participated in other financing rounds, such as those for Formo and MATR Foods, which, while not directly related to meat processing, indicate EIB's engagement in the food sector. Overall, EIB's investments in animal nutrition and food innovation suggest a relevant connection to the meat processing industry.


5. PeakBridge


PeakBridge VC is a venture capital firm based in Luxembourg, founded in 2018, specializing in FoodTech investments. The firm supports early-stage founders and businesses in the food industry by providing investment, consulting services, and access to a vast network of industry experts. Their focus is on innovative solutions that address significant challenges in the global food system. Notably, PeakBridge has participated in several transactions relevant to the meat processing context, including a €6 million Series A funding round for Rival Foods, which aims to develop new protein sources. They also invested in Forsea Foods, an Israeli startup that raised $5.2 million to grow cultivated eel meat, highlighting their commitment to alternative protein sources. Additionally, their participation in Standing Ovation, a startup focused on animal-free casein and cheese substitutes, further demonstrates their engagement in the broader food innovation landscape, which includes meat alternatives.


6. Nutreco

  • Website: nutreco.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: nutreco

Nutreco is a corporate investor based in Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands, specializing in animal nutrition. Founded in 1994, the company focuses on providing innovative feed solutions for livestock and aquaculture, aimed at enhancing productivity and supporting animal health. In recent years, Nutreco has made significant investments in the meat processing context, including participation in funding rounds for Mosa Meat, a company focused on cultivated meat, and Roslin Technologies, which is developing animal cell lines for the cultivated meat sector. These investments reflect Nutreco's commitment to sustainable practices and innovation in the meat industry, positioning them as a relevant player in the evolving food landscape.


7. Eurofins

  • Website: eurofins.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 1987
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 8
  • LinkedIn: eurofins

Eurofins Scientific SE is a corporate investor based in Luxembourg, founded in 1987. The company operates over 900 laboratories in 62 countries, providing a wide range of analytical and testing services across various industries, including pharmaceuticals, food, and environmental sectors. In recent years, Eurofins has made several strategic acquisitions to enhance its capabilities in the food industry. Notably, they acquired ARS Probata, a German audit and certification company in the food sector, in September 2023, which strengthens their portfolio in food assurance. Additionally, their acquisitions of Agro-Analyses and Express Micro Science further demonstrate their commitment to expanding their analytical services, which are essential for ensuring quality and compliance in food products, including meat. These transactions highlight Eurofins' active role in the food industry, making them a significant player in the meat processing context.


8. Azelis

  • Website: azelis.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 2001
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: azelis

Azelis is a specialty chemical distributor and innovation service provider based in Antwerp, Belgium, founded in 2001. The company serves over 63,000 customers across the life sciences and industrial sectors, providing high-quality raw materials and innovative formulations tailored to specific market needs. In recent years, Azelis has made significant strides in the food sector through strategic acquisitions. Notably, they acquired Tunçkaya, a Turkish distributor of food ingredients and additives, which enhances their position in the Turkish food market. Additionally, they signed an agreement to acquire Hortimex, a Polish specialty chemicals distributor focused on food ingredients and nutraceuticals, further solidifying their presence in the Food & Nutrition market. These transactions reflect Azelis' commitment to expanding its footprint in the food industry, including meat processing, by leveraging established distribution networks and expertise.


9. SHIFT Invest

  • Website: shiftinvest.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amstelveen, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: shift-invest

SHIFT Invest is a venture capital fund based in Amstelveen, North Holland, Netherlands, founded in 2009. The firm specializes in impact investing, targeting innovative enterprises with significant potential for environmental impact. They provide funding and support to early-stage companies across various sectors, including energy transition, smart food & agriculture, and sustainable mobility. Notably, SHIFT Invest has participated in several transactions relevant to the food industry, including an investment in Meatless, which raised funds in a Series A round in December 2012. This investment suggests a commitment to sustainable food solutions, which may intersect with meat processing. Additionally, they have invested in ChainCraft, a company focused on sustainable processes, which could relate to meat processing in terms of innovative food production methods. Their recent investments in companies like Time-Travelling Milkman further demonstrate their active role in the food sector, reinforcing their relevance to the meat processing industry.


10. Rubio Impact Ventures


Rubio Impact Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2014. The firm specializes in impact investing, providing growth capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs addressing significant social and environmental challenges. Their investment areas include clean energy, mental health, and education, emphasizing collaboration with portfolio companies. Notably, Rubio Impact Ventures has made significant investments in the meat processing context, including a $20 million Series B investment in Mosa Meat, a leader in cultured meat technology, and participation in NOVAMEAT's funding rounds, which focus on producing plant-based meat alternatives. These transactions highlight their commitment to supporting innovative solutions in the meat industry, particularly those that promote sustainability and address environmental concerns.


11. Verlinvest

  • Website: verlinvest.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
  • Founded year: 1995
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: verlinvest

Verlinvest is a Brussels-based venture capital firm founded in 1995, specializing in high-growth consumer brands across various sectors, including food, beverage, health, and technology. The firm provides long-term capital and strategic advisory services to help brands scale and innovate. Notably, Verlinvest has invested in Mutti S.p.A., acquiring a 24.5% stake in the leading Italian tomato processing company, which highlights their interest in the food processing sector. Their portfolio also includes investments in companies like Sir Kensington's and Oatly, showcasing their diverse approach to consumer brands. While their primary focus may not be exclusively on meat processing, their investment in food-related companies indicates a potential interest in the broader food industry, including meat processing.


12. Invest-NL

  • Website: invest-nl.nl
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2020
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 17
  • LinkedIn: invest-nl

Invest-NL is an impact investment firm based in Amsterdam, founded in 2020, that focuses on financing sustainable and innovative projects in the Netherlands. They support entrepreneurs with promising plans for societal transitions, particularly in energy and technology sectors. In 2024, Invest-NL participated in notable transactions in the meat processing industry, including a significant investment in Mosa Meat, which raised approximately $42.5 million, and Meatable, a cultivated meat company that secured $35 million to scale its operations and expand internationally. These investments highlight Invest-NL's commitment to supporting innovative solutions in the meat processing sector, particularly those that aim to make meat production more sustainable.


13. Future Food Fund

  • Website: futurefoodfund.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2016
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: future-food-fund

Future Food Fund is a venture capital firm based in Utrecht, Netherlands, specializing in food and agriculture technology investments. Founded in 2016, the firm focuses on early-stage startups in Western Europe, providing capital, expertise, and a network to help these businesses innovate and create sustainable food systems. Their mission is to drive environmental impact through strategic investments in the food and agriculture sector. Notably, Future Food Fund has invested in Extracellular, a UK-based contract development and manufacturing organization for the cultivated meat industry, which aims to expand its bioreactor capacity for large-scale production of cultivated meat. Additionally, they have participated in funding rounds for companies like Formo, which is also involved in the cultivated meat sector, indicating their commitment to advancing meat processing technologies. Other investments include NoPalm Ingredients and Pectcof Technology, which, while not directly related to meat processing, showcase their broader interest in sustainable food innovations.



Meat Processing Insights: Key Investors in Benelux


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
EIT FoodLeuven, Flanders, Belgium51-200201637
CvcLuxembourg1001-5000200516
dsm-firmenichMaastricht, Limburg, Netherlands10001+3
European Investment Bank (EIB)Luxembourg1001-5000195899
PeakBridgeLuxembourg11-5020188
NutrecoAmersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands10001+19941
EurofinsLuxembourg10001+19878
AzelisAntwerp, Flanders, Belgium1001-500020015
SHIFT InvestAmstelveen, North Holland, Netherlands11-5020094
Rubio Impact VenturesAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands1-10201413
VerlinvestBrussels, Brussels, Belgium11-5019955
Invest-NLAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands51-200202017
Future Food FundUtrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands1-1020165


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