The food processing machinery industry in Latin America plays a vital role in transforming raw agricultural products into consumable goods. Companies range from established multinationals to innovative startups, focusing on a variety of machines and technologies, including cooking, packaging, and preserving equipment. The industry is experiencing a shift towards sustainability and efficiency, driven by consumer demand for healthier food options and environmentally friendly practices. Furthermore, advancements in automation and IoT are paving the way for smarter manufacturing processes, which not only enhance productivity but also improve food safety standards across the supply chain.


This list features a mix of corporate and venture capital investors, mostly based in Brazil and Mexico, contributing to the food processing machinery sector. Founded between 1890 and 2022, these investors vary in size from small firms to large corporations, with some making significant moves in 2024. The diversity among these investors, including JBS, a heavyweight in meat processing, and KPTL, a startup-focused venture capital, underscores the dynamic investment climate in Latin America's food technology ecosystem.


Top 19 Food Processing Machinery Investors in Latin America


1. Jbs

  • Website: jbs.com.br
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • Founded year: 1953
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: jbs

JBS S.A. is a prominent food processing company founded in 1953, headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It specializes in the production of beef, pork, poultry, fish, and plant-based products, serving a diverse range of customers including food retailers and restaurants. JBS operates globally with a strong commitment to sustainability and responsible practices. Notable transactions include the acquisition of Scott Technology, which focuses on engineering solutions for the food industry, and the purchase of Pilgrims Pride, a major poultry producer. Additionally, JBS has acquired several processing facilities, such as the Mountain States Rosen lamb plant and Empire Packing Co. LP, which enhances their processing capabilities and product offerings. These strategic acquisitions reflect JBS's focus on expanding its operational efficiency and technological advancements in food processing.


2. Kptl

  • Website: kptl.com.br
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • Founded year: 2020
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: inseed-investimentos

KPTL is a venture capital firm based in São Paulo, Brazil, founded in 2020. With over 15 years of experience in the investment landscape, KPTL has made more than 124 investments, focusing on innovative startups across various sectors. Notably, KPTL has invested in Ecotrace Solutions, a startup that provides blockchain-based traceability technology for the agrifood value chain, securing 3 million reals ($577,000) in funding. This investment highlights KPTL's engagement with the food sector, particularly in enhancing food processing and supply chain efficiency. Other transactions include investments in companies like Syos and Delivery Direto, showcasing their diverse portfolio, but it is the focus on agrifood technology that aligns them with the food processing machinery industry.


3. Crp

  • Website: crp.com.br
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil
  • Founded year: 1981
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn: crp

CRP Companhia de Participações is an investment firm based in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil, specializing in private equity and venture capital. Founded in 1981, CRP has over 35 years of experience in providing capital and strategic support to small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as larger companies seeking growth. Their portfolio spans diverse sectors, including notable investments in the food processing machinery industry. For instance, they participated in the funding of Sulmaq, a company that raised $2,826,689 in a private equity round in December 2009, which specializes in food processing equipment. Additionally, they have invested in Mixertech, which, while not explicitly a food processing machinery company, operates in a related field. Their commitment to enhancing governance and management practices within their invested companies further supports their relevance in the food processing machinery sector.


4. SP Ventures

  • Website: spventures.com.br
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • Founded year: 2007
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: sp-ventures

SP Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, founded in 2007. The firm specializes in investments in technology-driven solutions for the agriculture and food sectors, supporting early-stage startups with capital and consulting services to foster innovation and growth. Their focus is particularly on addressing challenges within the AgFood value chain in Latin America. Notable transactions include their participation in funding rounds for ZoomAgri, a Madrid-based Ag&Food tech startup, which raised significant capital in both Seed and Series A rounds. Additionally, they have invested in Solubio Agricultural Technologies, which indicates their commitment to advancing agricultural technologies that may encompass food processing solutions. These activities highlight SP Ventures' relevance in the food processing machinery sector.


5. Femsa

  • Website: femsa.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
  • Founded year: 1890
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: femsa

Fomento Económico Mexicano S.A.B. de C.V. (Femsa) is a multinational company based in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, primarily known as the largest Coca-Cola bottler globally and for operating OXXO, a chain of convenience stores. Founded in 1890, Femsa has a significant presence in the beverage and retail sectors across 18 countries, focusing on creating economic and social value through its diverse offerings. In recent years, Femsa has expanded its portfolio through strategic acquisitions, including Grupo Torrey, a leading independent commercial kitchen equipment company in Mexico, which enhances its capabilities in the food processing machinery sector. Additionally, Femsa's acquisition of a minority stake in Jetro Restaurant Depot for $750 million allows it to enter the U.S. wholesale cash and carry segment, further integrating into the food supply chain. These transactions highlight Femsa's commitment to diversifying its investments and its relevance in the food processing machinery industry.


6. Semillero Partners LLC


Semillero Partners LLC is a venture capital firm based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, founded in 2016. The firm specializes in empowering entrepreneurs within the Food & Beverage, Food Tech, and Wellness industries, providing both investment capital and strategic guidance to foster sustainable business growth. Notable transactions include their investment in Farmer's Fridge, which raised $8,595,000 in a convertible note in 2018, and their involvement with RobinFood, which has raised significant funding across multiple rounds, totaling over $100 million from 2021 to 2024. Additionally, their investment in Better Juice, a food tech company focused on enzyme production, highlights their interest in innovative solutions within the food sector, further aligning them with the food processing machinery industry.


7. Enfini Investments


Enfini Investments is a corporate investment firm based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, founded in 2020. The firm specializes in the food tech sector, focusing on fostering technology initiatives that promote sustainable food production. Enfini Investments collaborates closely with its portfolio companies to enhance their business plans and operational strategies. Notable transactions include participation in funding rounds for companies like Aleph Farms, which raised $105 million in a Series B round, and UPSIDE Foods, which secured $161 million in a Series B round. Additionally, they were involved in Mission Barns' Series A funding, which raised $24 million. These investments reflect Enfini's commitment to advancing food technology, which may include innovations in food processing machinery.


8. Crescera Capital

  • Website: crescera.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Rio De Janeiro, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
  • Founded year: 2008
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 7
  • LinkedIn: bozano-investimentos

Crescera Capital is a private equity and venture capital firm based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, founded in 2008. The firm specializes in providing growth capital and strategic guidance to mid-sized companies across various sectors, including education, technology, and health. Notably, Crescera has made significant investments in the food sector, with transactions involving companies such as Forno de Minas, a food producer, and Laticinios Sao Vincente, a dairy company. Additionally, they have invested in Villa Germania Alimentos, further emphasizing their engagement in the food processing industry. These investments reflect Crescera's commitment to enhancing operational performance and preparing food-related companies for market opportunities, making them a relevant player in the food processing machinery landscape.


9. Brf

  • Website: brf-global.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • Founded year: 1934
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: brf

BRF is a corporate investor based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, founded in 1934. It is a leading food manufacturing company specializing in the production and distribution of meat and poultry products. BRF serves a diverse customer base, including consumers and businesses in the food industry, with a strong emphasis on quality and sustainability. Notable transactions include the acquisition of a 70% stake in FFM Further Processing, which enhances their processing capabilities in Malaysia, and the full acquisition of Alimentos Calchaquí Productos, which adds to their operational footprint in Argentina. These strategic moves reflect BRF's commitment to expanding its processing operations and capabilities within the food industry.


10. Massimo Zanetti Beverage Brasil

  • Website: mzb-group.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Vargem Grande Do Sul, Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • Founded year: 1973
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn: cafepacaembu

Massimo Zanetti Beverage Brasil is a corporate investor based in Vargem Grande Do Sul, Sao Paulo, Brazil, and is part of the Massimo Zanetti Beverage Group, a global beverage manufacturer founded in 1973. The company specializes in coffee, tea, cocoa, and spices, serving businesses in the food and beverage industry. Notably, Massimo Zanetti has made strategic acquisitions to enhance its market presence and capabilities. In 2014, they acquired Boncafe Group for 85 million USD, which specializes in gourmet coffee and coffee machine equipment, thereby expanding their footprint in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. This acquisition highlights their interest in food processing machinery, particularly in the coffee sector. Other significant transactions include the acquisition of EspressoWorkz and Café Pacaembu, further solidifying their position in the coffee market. These activities demonstrate Massimo Zanetti's commitment to integrating food processing machinery into their operations, making them a relevant player in this sector.


11. The Yield Lab LATAM

  • Website: theyieldlablatam.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Founded year: 2017
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: theyieldlablatam

The Yield Lab LATAM is a venture capital firm based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, founded in 2017. It specializes in the AgriFoodTech sector, focusing on early-stage startups that tackle challenges within the agri-food industry. The firm provides support programs that include governance, talent development, and fundraising assistance, and operates across Latin America to connect innovative companies with investors. Among their notable transactions, they have invested in companies like microTERRA, which raised $2.5 million in a Seed Round, and Kigüi, which raised $500,000 in a Seed Round. These investments indicate their commitment to supporting innovative solutions in the agri-food space, which may include advancements in food processing machinery.


12. Norte Ventures

  • Website: norte.ventures
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • Founded year: 2020
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 11
  • LinkedIn: norteventures

Norte Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, founded in 2020. The firm specializes in providing resources and support for startups in the technology sector, with a strong emphasis on empowering entrepreneurs and fostering innovation in the Brazilian market. In 2024, Norte Ventures has made 11 investments, including significant funding rounds for companies in the food sector. Notably, they participated in multiple funding rounds for Cayena, a B2B food marketplace, which raised $55 million in a Series B round in July 2024, and previously secured $3.5 million in a Series A round in September 2021. Additionally, they invested in Aravita, a startup focused on managing fresh products for retailers, indicating their interest in the food supply chain. These transactions highlight Norte Ventures' engagement with the food industry, particularly in technology-driven solutions that could intersect with food processing machinery.


13. Sigma


Sigma Alimentos, S.A. de C.V., founded in 1980 and based in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, is a leading food processing and distribution company specializing in refrigerated foods such as lunch meats, cheeses, and yogurts. With a workforce of over 10,000 employees, Sigma serves a diverse customer base, including supermarkets and individual consumers, through an extensive distribution network across multiple countries. Sigma has been actively involved in strategic acquisitions to enhance its market position, including the acquisition of Bar-S Foods, a key player in the refrigerated and frozen foods sector, and Mexican Cheese Producers, aimed at strengthening its presence in the U.S. Hispanic market. Most recently, Sigma acquired a majority stake in Los Altos Foods, a Hispanic cheese and cream producer, further expanding its portfolio in the cheese segment. Additionally, Sigma's collaboration with Change Foods to accelerate cheese production and distribution capabilities highlights their commitment to innovation and growth in the food processing sector.


14. Glocal Latam

  • Website: glocalmanagers.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: glocal-managers

Glocal Latam is a venture capital firm and startup accelerator based in Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina, founded in 2015. The firm specializes in the AgriFoodTech sector, providing acceleration programs, investment opportunities, and mentoring to early-stage startups focused on agriculture and food technology. Their mission is to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of the agri-food supply chain by supporting innovative solutions. In recent years, Glocal Latam has been involved in several significant transactions, including Done Properly, which raised $1.8 million in a seed round in February 2023, and microTERRA, which secured $2.5 million in October 2021. Additionally, they have supported ZoomAgri through multiple seed rounds, raising a total of $6.6 million across different funding events. These investments indicate their commitment to fostering innovation in the agri-food sector, which may include advancements in food processing machinery.


15. Canary

  • Website: canary.com.br
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • Founded year: 2017
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 23
  • LinkedIn: canary-venture-capital

Canary is a venture capital firm based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, founded in 2017. The firm specializes in early-stage investments across Latin America, providing capital, co-founding assistance, and fostering a strong community of entrepreneurs. Notably, Canary has participated in several transactions relevant to the food industry, including significant investments in Cayena, a B2B food marketplace that raised $55 million in Series B funding in 2024 and previously raised $3.5 million in Series A funding in 2021. Additionally, they invested in Mercanto, which raised $7 million in a Seed Round in 2022. These transactions highlight Canary's engagement with food-related startups, suggesting a potential interest in the food processing machinery sector.


16. Mandi Ventures


Mandi Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, dedicated to accelerating the adoption of disruptive technologies within the food and agriculture sectors. Founded with a mission to support early-stage startups, Mandi Ventures provides not only capital but also advisory support to help these companies develop and commercialize innovative solutions. Their investment portfolio includes notable transactions such as Cultivated Biosciences, which secured $5 million in seed funding to introduce yeast cream to the US and European markets, and Multus Biotechnology, which raised $9.5 million in a Series A funding round to advance its biotechnology solutions. These investments reflect Mandi Ventures' commitment to fostering innovation in the food sector, making them a relevant player in the food processing machinery landscape.


17. Baraúna Investimentos


Baraúna Investimentos is a venture capital firm based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, founded in 2015. The firm specializes in providing investment management services and financial advice to help clients achieve their financial goals. In recent years, Baraúna has been involved in several notable transactions, including a seed round investment in Verdureira, which raised approximately $1.9 million, and an investment in Haoma, a Brazilian chocolate company, aimed at supporting its geographic expansion. Additionally, they participated in funding rounds for Cromai, an agtech company focusing on artificial intelligence for agriculture, which is relevant to the food processing sector. These transactions highlight Baraúna's engagement with the food industry, making them a potential player in the food processing machinery space.


18. Grupo Arancia

  • Website: arancia.com.mx
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
  • Founded year: 1925
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: grupo-arancia

Grupo Arancia, founded in 1925 and based in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, is a corporate investor with a workforce of 1001-5000 employees. The company operates primarily in the food service, biotechnology, and natural extracts industries, providing high-quality ingredients and logistics solutions to businesses in the food and beverage sector. They focus on sustainability and innovation, ensuring reliable supply chains and product excellence. Notably, Grupo Arancia has participated in significant transactions such as GrubMarket's Series C funding round, which raised $25 million to enhance food supply and distribution capabilities. This involvement highlights their commitment to supporting the food industry, including aspects related to food processing machinery.


19. Newtopia VC

  • Website: newtopia.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Founded year: 2021
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 11
  • LinkedIn: newtopiavc

Newtopia Venture Capital is a venture capital firm based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, founded in 2021. The firm focuses on early-stage investments in technology startups across Latin America, providing financial support and mentorship to help these startups achieve product-market fit and grow their businesses. Newtopia aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship within the Latin American tech ecosystem. Notably, Newtopia has participated in significant transactions within the foodtech space, including a $3 million investment in Kitchenita, which is focused on geographic expansion and a digital franchise model in the food sector. Additionally, they have invested in other startups like Mama and Nilus, which may also have implications for food processing and technology, further solidifying their relevance in the food processing machinery context.



Food Processing Machinery Insights: Key Investors in Latin America


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
JbsSao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil10001+19531
KptlSao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil11-5020205
CrpPorto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil11-5019810
SP VenturesSao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil1-1020073
FemsaMonterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico10001+18903
Semillero Partners LLCSan Juan, San Juan, Puerto Rico1-1020161
Enfini InvestmentsSao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil1-1020200
Crescera CapitalRio De Janeiro, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil11-5020087
BrfSao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil10001+19344
Massimo Zanetti Beverage BrasilVargem Grande Do Sul, Sao Paulo, Brazil51-20019730
The Yield Lab LATAMBuenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina11-5020175
Norte VenturesSao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil1-10202011
SigmaMonterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico10001+19800
Glocal LatamRosario, Santa Fe, Argentina1-1020151
CanarySao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil11-50201723
Mandi VenturesSao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil1-103
Baraúna InvestimentosSao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil11-5020153
Grupo AranciaGuadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico1001-500019251
Newtopia VCBuenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina11-50202111


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!