The meat processing industry in Europe comprises a variety of companies ranging from large-scale processors to niche producers. This sector not only transforms raw meat into finished products but also innovates with new methods that align with changing consumer preferences, especially towards sustainability and health. As demand for alternative proteins rises, traditional meat processors are exploring plant-based and lab-grown options, adapting to ensure resilience in a competitive market. The industry's future also looks inclined towards technological advancements that improve efficiency, traceability, and sustainability, ensuring it remains adaptive and responsive to global trends.


The listed investors in this article showcase a mixture of corporate and venture capital entities focused on the meat processing sector. Headquartered across key European cities like Leuven, Dublin, and Paris, these firms vary in size from small teams to larger groups with thousands of employees. Founded mainly in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, each investor has recorded significant engagement in 2024, with EIT Food leading with 37 investments while others like Bpifrance participated in 198 transactions. This indicates a thriving investment ecosystem aimed at supporting innovation within meat processing.


Top 13 Meat Processing 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 promotes diversity and inclusion within its workforce while providing investment management services to its clients. Notably, Crowdcube has been involved in significant transactions within the meat processing context, such as funding The Ethical Butcher, which raised over $1.7 million in 2021 and an additional $50,735 in December 2023. This demonstrates Crowdcube's engagement with the meat industry, alongside its investments in other sectors like plant-based food companies such as Heura Foods and La Vie.


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, dedicated to investing in sustainable food systems. The firm supports mission-aligned founders in the bioeconomy by providing funding and resources to scale innovative solutions, particularly in alternative proteins and sustainable practices. Notably, Blue Horizon has been involved in significant transactions within the meat processing context, including investments in Impossible Foods, which raised $114 million in 2018, and Mosa Meat, a company focused on cultured meat. Blue Horizon led Mosa Meat's Series B funding rounds, contributing to a total of $75 million raised in early 2021, and earlier rounds of $20 million and $55 million in late 2020. These investments highlight Blue Horizon's commitment to transforming the meat industry through sustainable practices and innovative technologies.


3. Unigrains

  • Website: unigrains.fr
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 1963
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: unigrains

Unigrains is a Paris-based private equity firm founded in 1963, specializing in the agro-food and agro-industry sectors. With over 60 years of experience, Unigrains has supported more than 1,000 companies, managing significant assets to foster growth and sustainability in agriculture and food production. Notably, Unigrains has been involved in several key transactions within the meat processing industry, including Cooperl, a major player in the meat sector, which raised $820 million in 1995, and Stoeffler, which raised approximately $173 million in 2015. Other relevant investments include Groupe Grimaud La Corbière and Triskalia, both of which contribute to the broader agro-food landscape. These transactions highlight Unigrains' commitment to supporting and developing businesses in the meat processing sector.


4. Bpifrance French Tech Accélération


Bpifrance French Tech Accélération is a venture capital firm based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 2015. As a public entity and financial institution, Bpifrance supports entrepreneurs and businesses in France and internationally through various services, including direct funding, export credit insurance, and private equity investments. The firm aims to foster entrepreneurship and innovation, helping businesses navigate growth and international expansion. Notably, Bpifrance has been involved in significant transactions in the meat processing context, such as leading investments in Gourmey, a French cultivated meat startup that raised €48 million in a Series A round, marking a milestone in the cultivated meat industry. Additionally, Bpifrance participated in funding rounds for Umiami, a foodtech company focused on innovative food solutions, further demonstrating its engagement in the meat processing sector.


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. Their focus is on sustainable solutions that address the challenges of traditional animal protein production. Notably, CPT Capital has participated in significant funding rounds for companies such as Memphis Meats, which raised $161 million to build a pilot production facility for cultivated meat, and Aleph Farms, which focuses on developing lab-grown meat products. Additionally, they have invested in UPSIDE Foods, which raised $400 million to scale up production of cultivated meat. These transactions highlight CPT Capital's commitment to advancing the meat processing industry through alternative protein innovations.


6. 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 based in Leuven, Flanders, Belgium, founded in 2016. 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 raised $324,464, and other initiatives like Esencia Foods and BOB FoodTech, which also received funding. These transactions highlight EIT Food's engagement with innovative solutions in the meat sector, particularly in the realm of meat alternatives and food technology, showcasing their role in fostering collaboration and driving change in the food industry.


7. 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. In 2023, Enterprise Ireland was involved in several significant transactions within the meat processing sector, providing grants to companies such as Kepak ($2,183,051), Liffey Meats ($2,307,485), Kildare Chilling ($2,684,825), Staunton Foods ($1,966,969), and Dew Valley Foods ($5,457,628). These transactions highlight their commitment to supporting the growth and development of the meat processing industry in Ireland.


8. EQT Group

  • Website: eqtgroup.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 30
  • LinkedIn: eqt-partners

EQT Group is a prominent investment firm founded in 1994, specializing in private equity, infrastructure, real estate, growth equity, and venture capital. Based in Stockholm, Sweden, EQT serves institutional investors by managing diverse investment portfolios across multiple sectors and geographies. Among their notable transactions, EQT has acquired Færch Plast A/S, a leader in rigid plastic packaging for ready meals and protein food trays, highlighting their involvement in the meat processing supply chain. Additionally, EQT's acquisition of Classic Fine Foods Group, which operates in the food distribution sector, further emphasizes their engagement in food-related investments. These transactions illustrate EQT's strategic interest in sectors that intersect with meat processing, making them a relevant player in this industry.


9. Beyond Impact VC


Beyond Impact VC is a venture capital firm based in Montreux, Vaud, Switzerland, founded in 2017. The firm specializes in investing in sustainable and animal-free products and services, focusing on early-stage companies that promote vegan lifestyles and technologies that replace animal-derived products. Notable transactions include investments in Mosa Meat, which is known for its lab-grown meat products, and GOURMEY, which is also involved in the development of alternative meat products. Additionally, they participated in funding rounds for SuperMeat, a company dedicated to producing lab-grown chicken. These investments reflect Beyond Impact VC's commitment to supporting innovative and compassionate business models in the food industry.


10. 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, focusing on delivering sustainable value and growth through strategic 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. These transactions highlight CVC's commitment to the meat processing industry, alongside their broader investment strategy that spans various sectors.


11. IDIA Capital Investissement


IDIA Capital Investissement is a private equity investment management firm based in Montrouge, Île-De-France, France, founded in 1980. The firm specializes in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-sized companies (ETIs) in their growth, particularly in sectors such as agro-food, energy transition, and viticulture. IDIA Capital Investissement has been involved in several significant transactions in the agro-food sector, including the acquisition of Henri Raffin, a company engaged in meat processing, on October 26, 2018. They have also participated in funding rounds for other agro-food companies such as Agrial and Axereal, which further demonstrates their commitment to the sector. By providing financial support and strategic guidance, IDIA Capital Investissement helps its clients navigate the complexities of investment and achieve sustainable growth in the agro-food industry.


12. 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 a Berlin-based venture capital firm and food technology incubator founded in 2016. They focus on 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. Notably, FoodLabs has participated in several significant transactions in the meat processing context, including a $3 million seed funding round for Bosque Foods, a company developing mycelium-based whole-cut meat alternatives, and a $3.5 million seed round for Meatable, which is working on cultured meat technology. Additionally, they have been involved in funding rounds for Project Eaden, which is also focused on innovative food technologies. These investments highlight FoodLabs' commitment to advancing sustainable meat alternatives and their relevance in the meat processing industry.


13. Agronomics Limited

  • Website: agronomics.im
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2018
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: agronomics-limited

Agronomics Limited is a biotechnology venture capital firm based in London, England, founded in 2018. The firm specializes in investments in cellular agriculture, providing investors with exposure to a portfolio of companies that are pioneering sustainable food production technologies. Agronomics addresses the challenges of traditional animal agriculture by promoting innovative solutions that enhance sustainability and animal welfare. Notably, Agronomics has participated in significant funding rounds for cultivated meat companies, including a $55 million Series B investment in Mosa Meat, a leading cultivated meat producer. They also invested in CellX, a Shanghai-based cellular agriculture startup, contributing to its $10.6 million Series A funding round. Additionally, Agronomics led a $35 million Series B funding round for Meatable, a cultivated meat company aiming to scale its processes and reach commercial viability. These transactions highlight Agronomics' active role in the meat processing sector, particularly in the development of alternative meat products.



Meat Processing Insights: Key Investors in Europe


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
CrowdcubeLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-20020103
Blue HorizonZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-5020162
UnigrainsParis, Île-De-France, France51-20019634
Bpifrance French Tech AccélérationParis, Île-De-France, France1-102015198
CPT CapitalLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)1-1020171
EIT FoodLeuven, Flanders, Belgium51-200201637
Enterprise IrelandDublin, Dublin, Ireland501-1000199848
EQT GroupStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden1001-5000199430
Beyond Impact VCMontreux, Vaud, Switzerland1-1020172
CvcLuxembourg1001-5000200516
IDIA Capital InvestissementMontrouge, Île-De-France, France11-5019801
FoodLabsBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201611
Agronomics LimitedLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)1-1020184


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