The food processing machinery industry in Europe plays a crucial role in transforming raw ingredients into finished products. It comprises manufacturers and suppliers who develop equipment required for food production, packaging, and processing. Companies in this sector offer solutions like mixers, conveyors, and sterilizers, catering to various food types, including dairy, meat, and plant-based products. With growing consumer demands for efficiency and sustainability, the industry is investing in automation and smart technology. As environmental concerns rise, companies are also focusing on eco-friendly machinery, ensuring the industry’s growth aligns with modern food production requirements.


The list of top food processing machinery investors reveals a mix of private equity firms, venture capitalists, and corporate investors. They are headquartered across key European cities, including London, Luxembourg, and Paris. Investors range in size, with firms employing as few as 10 or as many as 5,000 people. Founded between 1988 and 2016, these investors collectively completed hundreds of transactions in 2024, showing a strong commitment to fueling growth within this vital industry. The combination of various investor types underscores the dynamic funding landscape supporting food processing machinery innovations.


Top 15 Food Processing Machinery Investors in Europe


1. European Innovation Council (EIC)


The European Innovation Council (EIC) is a public entity based in Brussels, Belgium, established to support innovation and entrepreneurship across Europe. Founded in 1958, the EIC offers various funding programs, including the EIC Accelerator and EIC Pathfinder, aimed at helping startups and SMEs develop and scale their technologies. The EIC also provides business acceleration services, networking opportunities, and prizes to foster innovation across different sectors. Notably, the EIC has participated in funding rounds for companies like Novolyze, which raised $15 million in a Series A financing round to enhance its digitalization solutions for food safety and quality processes. Additionally, Novolyze received a grant of $820,539 in 2019, further emphasizing the EIC's commitment to supporting innovations in food safety. Another relevant transaction includes Infinite Roots, which raised $58 million in a Series B funding round led by the EIC, focusing on mycelium production, which can have applications in food processing. These transactions highlight the EIC's active role in supporting innovations that intersect with the food processing machinery industry.


2. Bpifrance French Tech Accélération


Bpifrance French Tech Accélération is a venture capital investor 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 a variety of services, including direct funding, export credit insurance, and private equity investments. The institution aims to foster entrepreneurship and innovation, helping businesses navigate growth and international expansion. Notably, Bpifrance has been involved in several transactions relevant to the food processing machinery context, such as its investment in Umiami, a Paris-based foodtech company that raised significant funding rounds, including €32.5 million in October 2023 and $28.9 million in April 2022. Additionally, Bpifrance's investment in Tournus Equipement, a company likely involved in food processing equipment, further highlights its engagement in this sector.


3. 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 corporate crowdfunding platform based in London, England, founded in 2010. It enables businesses, particularly startups and SMEs, to raise capital through equity investments by connecting them with potential investors. The platform emphasizes diversity and inclusion within its workforce while providing investment management services. Notably, Crowdcube has facilitated funding for several companies relevant to the food processing machinery sector, including Miso Robotics, which raised over $5.6 million for its robotic food preparation solutions, and Crover, which raised approximately $449,863 for its innovative grain storage technology. These transactions highlight Crowdcube's involvement in the food technology space, showcasing its role in supporting advancements in food processing machinery.


4. Indutrade Life Science

  • Website: indutrade.se
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1978
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 14
  • LinkedIn: indutrade-life-science

Indutrade Life Science is a corporate investor based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1978. The company is part of an industrial group that focuses on developing and acquiring companies with high technical expertise across various technology and industrial sectors. Indutrade emphasizes long-term relationships with its customers and operates through a decentralized structure, allowing its subsidiaries to maintain independence while benefiting from the group's resources. In recent years, Indutrade has made several strategic acquisitions, including ATLINE ApS in 2024, which specializes in in-line sampling and quality assurance for the pet food and feed industries. This acquisition highlights Indutrade's commitment to expanding its footprint in the food processing machinery sector. Other notable acquisitions include Tebra Messenindustrie and Typhoon Group, which, while not directly related to food processing, demonstrate Indutrade's focus on companies that enhance its technological capabilities in industrial applications.


5. 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. Notably, EQT has made significant investments in the food processing machinery context, including the acquisition of Cimbria, which provides equipment and solutions for the agricultural and food processing industries. Additionally, EQT's acquisition of Færch Plast A/S, a leader in rigid plastic packaging for ready meals and protein food trays, further highlights their engagement in the food processing supply chain. These strategic investments reflect EQT's commitment to supporting growth and innovation in sectors related to food processing machinery.


6. 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 private equity investment firm based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 1963. With over 60 years of experience, Unigrains specializes in the agro-food and agro-industry sectors, providing financial and strategic support to businesses to help them adapt to market changes and foster growth and sustainability in agriculture and food production. The firm has supported more than 1,000 companies and manages significant assets in these industries. Notable transactions include investments in Tournus Equipement, which is involved in food processing equipment, and other companies like Moret Industries and Vivescia, which are also linked to the food sector. These transactions highlight Unigrains' active role in the food processing machinery context, reinforcing their position as a relevant investor in this field.


7. 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 in the food sector. Their investment portfolio includes notable transactions such as New School Foods, a plant-based seafood maker, and NuCicer, an agri-food technology company focused on enhancing chickpea protein production. Additionally, they have invested in Mosa Meat, a company developing lab-grown meat products, which reflects their commitment to sustainable food production. These investments highlight Blue Horizon's role in fostering innovation within the food industry, which can encompass advancements in food processing machinery.


8. 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, providing tailored investment strategies to institutional investors, family offices, and pension funds. In recent years, Ardian has made significant investments in the food processing machinery sector, including the acquisition of a majority stake in Robot-Coupe and Magimix, which are key players in food preparation equipment. They also acquired a minority stake in Nutripack Group, a company that specializes in packaging for the food industry, and completed the acquisition of Frulact, a natural food ingredients supplier. These strategic investments highlight Ardian's commitment to high-quality companies with strong market positions and growth potential in the food sector.


9. 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, assisting them in their growth and transformation by integrating economic and ESG considerations into their strategies. Their clientele includes business leaders from various sectors seeking to enhance their operations and navigate market challenges. Notably, Crédit Mutuel Equity has been involved in several transactions, including investments in Serac, Inc., which specializes in packaging solutions that are relevant to the food processing industry, and ADIAL SAS, which raised over $10 million in 2022. These transactions indicate their engagement with companies that may intersect with the food processing machinery sector, highlighting their potential relevance in this area.


10. 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. IK Partners has a notable track record in the food processing industry, having acquired several companies that play significant roles in this sector. Their acquisitions include Idesta Foodtech AB, which specializes in food technology, Kersia, a company focused on food safety solutions, Solina Group, a provider of food solutions, and GoodLife Foods, a manufacturer of frozen snacks. These transactions highlight IK Partners' commitment to enhancing growth and creating long-term value in the food processing machinery and related industries.


11. European Investment Bank (EIB)


The European Investment Bank (EIB) is a public entity based in Luxembourg, founded in 1958, that provides financial services including loans, equity investments, guarantees, and advisory services to support sustainable projects across various sectors. EIB's clientele includes both public and private organizations seeking funding for initiatives that promote growth and job creation. Notably, EIB has been involved in several transactions relevant to the food processing machinery context, such as InspiraFarms, which raised $1,780,000 in Series A funding in 2017, focusing on innovative food processing solutions. Additionally, EIB supported Carbery Group with $38,788,771 in debt financing in 2019, a company that operates in the dairy processing sector. These transactions highlight EIB's active role in financing projects that contribute to the food processing industry.


12. 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 investment firm founded in 2005, based in Luxembourg, specializing in private equity, credit, secondaries, and infrastructure. With approximately €193 billion in assets under management for over 1000 clients, including pension funds and institutional investors, CVC focuses on delivering sustainable value and growth through strategic investments. Notably, CVC has made significant acquisitions in the food processing sector, including Kalle, a company known for its food processing solutions, and SIAT Group, which specializes in packaging solutions for food products. In 2024, they further expanded their portfolio by acquiring Berlys, a company involved in the food industry. These transactions highlight CVC's active role in the food processing machinery and packaging sectors, reinforcing their relevance in this industry.


13. Bunzl UK and Ireland

  • Website: bunzl.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1854
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: bunzl

Bunzl UK and Ireland, a corporate investor based in London, England, is a distribution and outsourcing company founded in 1854. The company specializes in providing essential items necessary for businesses to operate across various industries, including catering and hospitality. In recent years, Bunzl has made significant acquisitions to strengthen its position in the catering equipment market. Notably, in January 2018, Bunzl acquired Aggora Group, a company specializing in commercial catering equipment, which reported a revenue of £27 million for the year ending March 2017. Additionally, in November 2024, Bunzl acquired C&C Catering Equipment, further enhancing its Catering and Hospitality Division's market position. These strategic moves highlight Bunzl's focus on the food processing machinery sector, as catering equipment is integral to food preparation and service operations.


14. Astanor

  • Website: astanor.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 2017
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 10
  • LinkedIn: astanor-venture

Astanor is an impact investment firm based in Luxembourg, founded in 2017, that specializes in the agrifood tech sector. They aim to support innovative companies that are working towards creating sustainable food systems through strategic guidance and investment. Astanor has been involved in several notable transactions, including Umiami, a foodtech company that raised significant funding to enhance its operations, and Plantible Foods, which focuses on duckweed protein and has secured funding to construct its first commercial facility. These investments highlight Astanor's commitment to supporting advancements in food technology, which can encompass food processing machinery and related innovations.


15. 3i Group plc

  • Website: 3i.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1945
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: 3i-group-plc

3i Group plc is a London-based private equity and infrastructure investment firm founded in 1945. The firm specializes in providing capital and expertise to mid-market companies, helping them grow sustainably. With a strong international presence and a diverse portfolio, 3i Group aims to create value for its stakeholders through strategic investments. Notably, 3i Group has been involved in several transactions relevant to the food processing sector, including the acquisition of Dutch Bakery B.V. in September 2021, which signifies its interest in food processing businesses. Additionally, while other transactions like those involving Futaste and OPS-Ingersoll Funkenerosion may not directly relate to food processing machinery, they demonstrate 3i's broad investment strategy that includes sectors potentially linked to food processing.



Food Processing Machinery Insights: Key Investors in Europe


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
European Innovation Council (EIC)Brussels, Brussels, Belgium201-500195857
Bpifrance French Tech AccélérationParis, Île-De-France, France1-102015198
CrowdcubeLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-20020103
Indutrade Life ScienceStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden1001-5000197814
EQT GroupStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden1001-5000199430
UnigrainsParis, Île-De-France, France51-20019634
Blue HorizonZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-5020162
ArdianParis, Île-De-France, France1001-5000199621
Crédit Mutuel EquityParis, Île-De-France, France51-20019882
IK PartnersLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)201-500198914
European Investment Bank (EIB)Luxembourg1001-5000195899
CvcLuxembourg1001-5000200516
Bunzl UK and IrelandLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)1001-500018545
AstanorLuxembourg11-50201710
3i Group plcLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)201-50019453


Want to find more investors focusing on the food processing machinery industry?

If you want to find more investors that are active in the food processing machineryindustry, you can do that with Inven. We built this list and analysis throughInven's Investor Search, and there are a lot more private equity, venturecapital, and corporate investors like these globally.

With Inven, you'll also get to know:

  • Deal History: Number of deals and their sizes.
  • Portfolio: Companies they've invested in.
  • Contact data: Key dealmakers, including their emails and phonenumbers.
  • ...and much more!