The meat processing industry in DACH encompasses a range of companies involved in the production, processing, and distribution of meat products. Businesses vary from traditional meat producers to innovative startups focusing on alternative proteins and sustainable practices. This sector not only offers fresh meats but also processed products like cured meats and ready-to-eat options. As demand for healthier and eco-friendly food sources grows, the industry is shifting towards sustainable and alternative protein solutions, signaling a transformation in how consumers perceive meat consumption and production.


Investors in the DACH meat processing sector include venture capital and private equity firms, with domiciles from Berlin to Zurich. The firms generally range from small to larger entities and have varied sizes. Not surprisingly, many are relatively new, with most founded in the last decade. In 2024, collective investment counts reached 82, indicating a robust interest in transforming food practices within the industry.


Top 15 Meat Processing 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, 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. Notably, Blue Horizon has invested in Mosa Meat, a company focused on cultured meat production, participating in multiple funding rounds including a significant Series B round that raised $75 million. They also invested in Impossible Foods, which is known for its plant-based meat products. These transactions highlight Blue Horizon's commitment to transforming the meat processing landscape through sustainable and innovative approaches.


2. 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. Notable transactions include investments in Mosa Meat, a company developing lab-grown meat, and GOURMEY, which focuses on creating gourmet plant-based meat alternatives. These investments reflect Beyond Impact VC's commitment to supporting innovative and compassionate business models that aim to transform the meat processing industry towards more sustainable practices.


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 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 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.


4. 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 focuses on sustainable food solutions, investing in startups and businesses that aim to reduce the environmental impact of food production. They provide financial support, strategic guidance, and foster collaboration among industry players to innovate in the food sector. Notably, Good Seed Ventures has been involved in several transactions relevant to the meat processing industry, including investments in SuperMeat, which develops lab-grown chicken products, and Chunk Foods, which creates plant-based meat alternatives using fermentation technology. Additionally, they invested in Meatable, a company focused on lab-grown meat, further emphasizing their commitment to innovative meat processing solutions.


5. Possible Ventures

  • Website: possible.ventures
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Munich, Bavaria, Germany
  • Founded year: 2021
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 9
  • LinkedIn: possible-vc

Possible Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 2021. The firm has a small team and has been active in various investment rounds, with a total of 9 investments in 2024 alone. Notably, Possible Ventures has invested in Meatable, a cultivated meat startup that raised $47 million in a Series A funding round, aiming to advance small-scale production of alternative meat products. Additionally, they participated in the funding of Number 8 Bio, which raised $1.8 million to develop proprietary feed that reduces methane emissions in cows, highlighting their commitment to sustainability in the meat industry. Other investments include Fable Food and Farmless, which, while not directly in meat processing, align with the broader food innovation landscape.


6. Purple Orange Ventures


Purple Orange Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2012. The firm specializes in early-stage investments in food and biotechnology companies, with a strong emphasis on alternative proteins and cellular agriculture. Notable transactions include investments in Mission Barns, which focuses on cultured meat, and Change Foods, which is developing dairy alternatives. These investments highlight Purple Orange Ventures' commitment to supporting innovative startups that aim to transform the food industry towards more sustainable practices, particularly in the realm of meat alternatives and production.


7. 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 food technology space, particularly in the cultivated meat sector. Notably, Point Nine invested in Gourmey, a French cultivated meat startup, which raised €48 million in a Series A round, marking it as the largest Series A round for a cultivated meat startup. Additionally, they participated in Gourmey's earlier seed round, showcasing their commitment to supporting innovative food technologies. Their involvement in the New Protein Fund I, which includes significant players in the food industry, further emphasizes their interest in the meat processing sector, particularly in alternative protein sources.


8. Thia Ventures

  • Website: thiaventures.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Plan-Les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2021
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: thia-ventures

Thia Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Plan-Les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland, founded in 2021. The firm specializes in early-stage investments at the intersection of food, biotech, and health, aiming to support innovative startups that transform food systems and improve health outcomes. Notably, Thia Ventures has invested in several companies within the cultivated meat sector, including Gourmey, which raised €48 million in a Series A round to become a leader in cultivated meat production. They also backed Clever Carnivore, a startup producing cultivated pork sausage, which raised $7 million in seed funding. Additionally, Thia Ventures participated in Bond Pet Foods' Series A funding, which focuses on expanding meat protein offerings. These transactions highlight Thia Ventures' commitment to advancing the meat processing industry through innovative and sustainable solutions.


9. 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 approach and commitment to sustainability. Among their notable transactions, Partners Group acquired Hofmann Menu Manufaktur, a key player in the production of customized 'cook & freeze' products, which are often meat-based. This acquisition highlights their engagement in the meat processing industry. Additionally, they have made several other acquisitions, such as Vermaat Groep and Pacific Bells, showcasing their broad investment strategy across various sectors.


10. redalpine


Redalpine is a venture capital firm based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 2006. The firm specializes in investing in technology and science sectors, providing funding and strategic support to startups. In recent years, Redalpine has made notable investments in the food technology space, particularly in companies focused on meat alternatives. They participated in a Series A funding round for Uncommon, a cultivated meat startup that aims to produce cultivated pork, raising £24 million in June 2023. Additionally, they led a funding round for Luya Foods, which raised approximately $5.9 million in September 2024, focusing on plant-based alternatives to meat. Redalpine also invested in Umiami, a foodtech company that has raised significant funds to develop innovative food products, including meat alternatives. These transactions highlight Redalpine's engagement in the meat processing industry, particularly in the context of alternative protein sources.


11. Nucleus Capital

  • Website: nucleus-capital.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2021
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: k16-ventures

Nucleus Capital is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2021. The firm focuses on investing in purpose-driven entrepreneurs who are addressing systemic challenges related to planetary health. Nucleus Capital primarily invests in sectors such as Programmable Biology, Food Technology, and Green Industrials, with a strong emphasis on startups in Europe and the US. Notably, they have participated in several relevant transactions in the food technology space, including investments in Juicy Marbles, which is developing plant-based filet mignon, and Hoxton Farms, which is also focused on alternative protein sources. Additionally, they have invested in Farmless, a startup aiming to innovate in the food production sector, and Planetary, which is enhancing bioprocessing capacity for food fermentation. These transactions highlight Nucleus Capital's commitment to supporting innovative solutions in the food industry, particularly those that align with sustainable and alternative meat production.


12. Green Generation Fund


Green Generation Fund is a Berlin-based venture capital firm founded in 2021, specializing in early-stage investments in Food Tech and Green Tech startups. The firm aims to drive significant positive impacts in sustainability by supporting innovative solutions that address climate change and resource challenges. In 2024, they have made 8 investments, including notable transactions in the alternative protein space. For example, they led a $4 million seed round for Lypid, which focuses on commercialization of PhytoFat™, and invested in Libre Foods, a startup creating mycelium-based alt meats, which raised €2.2 million. Additionally, they supported ProteinDistillery, which raised over €15 million for its plant-based protein ingredient made from upcycled brewer's yeast. These investments highlight their commitment to advancing sustainable food technologies, particularly in the meat processing context.


13. PHW Group


PHW Group, founded in 1932 and based in Visbek, Lower Saxony, Germany, is a corporate investor specializing in poultry production and alternative protein sources. The company offers a diverse range of poultry products and plant-based alternatives, catering to both retail and consumer markets. PHW Group emphasizes sustainability and innovation in food production, aiming to meet the growing demand for diverse and healthy dietary options. Notably, they have participated in several relevant transactions, including a strategic partnership with SuperMeat, an Israeli start-up focused on lab-grown 'clean chicken' products, and investments in companies like Redefine Meat and Good Catch, which are at the forefront of developing plant-based and alternative protein products. These activities highlight PHW Group's active role in the evolving meat processing industry, particularly in the context of alternative proteins.


14. 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, founded in 1874 and headquartered in Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, is a leading global chemical distributor that connects chemical manufacturers and users. The company provides a wide range of specialty and industrial chemicals, along with value-added services, serving approximately 195,000 customers across various industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, and oil & gas. Notably, Brenntag has made significant acquisitions that enhance its position in the food sector, particularly in meat processing. For instance, the acquisition of JM Swank Co. in June 2021 for USD 304 million allowed Brenntag to double its size in the Nutrition business in North America, creating a leading distributor in the region with approximately USD 1 billion in revenue. This acquisition, along with their other transactions, positions Brenntag as a key player in the supply chain for food ingredients, including those used in meat processing.


15. BackBone Ventures

  • Website: backbone.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2018
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 10
  • LinkedIn: backbone-ventures

BackBone Ventures is a Zurich-based venture capital firm founded in 2018, specializing in early-stage investments in startups, particularly those led by underrepresented founders in Germany and Switzerland. The firm provides funding and support across various industries, including HealthTech and B2B SaaS. Notably, BackBone Ventures has participated in significant transactions within the foodtech sector, including investments in SuperMeat, an Israeli startup focused on lab-grown chicken products, and Fermify, an Austrian biotech company producing animal-free cheese. Their involvement in these innovative food companies highlights their commitment to supporting sustainable and alternative protein solutions, which are increasingly relevant in the meat processing industry.



Meat Processing Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Blue HorizonZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-5020162
Beyond Impact VCMontreux, Vaud, Switzerland1-1020172
FoodLabsBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201611
Good Seed VenturesRheine, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany1-1020181
Possible VenturesMunich, Bavaria, Germany1-1020219
Purple Orange VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany1-1020120
Point NineBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201116
Thia VenturesPlan-Les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland1-1020213
Partners GroupBaar, Zug, Switzerland1001-5000199619
redalpineZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-50200618
Nucleus CapitalBerlin, Berlin, Germany1-1020215
Green Generation FundBerlin, Berlin, Germany1-1020218
PHW GroupVisbek, Lower Saxony, Germany5001-1000019321
BrenntagEssen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany10001+18748
BackBone VenturesZurich, Zurich, Switzerland1-10201810


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