livekindly Raises $335 Million to Lead Plant-Based Revolution

LIVEKINDLY Collective Secures $335 Million in Funding

LIVEKINDLY Collective, the parent organization overseeing a portfolio of plant-based food brands, has successfully obtained funding from TPG’s global impact investing division. This investment closes the company’s latest funding round at a substantial $335 million.

Investor Confidence in the Plant-Based Sector

This fundraising activity demonstrates continued investor optimism regarding the future of plant-based food brands. Despite significant capital already allocated to companies such as Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods, and the renewed presence of established brands like Quorn and Kellogg’s Morningstar Farms, investor interest in emerging brands remains strong.

Founding Team and Company Origins

LIVEKINDLY Collective was established by prominent figures within the food industry. These include Kees Kruythoff, formerly president of Unilever North America; Roger Lienhard, the founder of Blue Horizon; and Jodi Monelle, who serves as the chief executive and founder of LIVEKINDLY Media.

The founding team was further strengthened by food industry veterans Mick Van Ettinger, previously with Unilever, and Aldo Uva, a former Nestlé employee. (It is noted that Uva departed the company in January 2021, according to a company spokesperson).

A Leading Plant-Based Food Company

Initially conceived as a rollup acquisition strategy for various vegetarian and alternative protein food brands, LIVEKINDLY Collective has rapidly grown to become one of the largest plant-based food companies globally, measured by total funding received.

Strategic Use of Funds

The company intends to utilize the newly acquired capital to facilitate expansion into key markets, specifically the United States and China. Furthermore, the funds will support additional acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and further investments within the plant-based food sector.

Previous Investment Rounds

Prior to this round, LIVEKINDLY Collective had already secured funding from S2G Ventures and Rabo Corporate Investments, the investment branch of the Dutch financial services firm Rabobank.

Future Growth and Potential IPO

The initial investors in LIVEKINDLY Collective anticipate substantial technological advancements within the industry. It is anticipated that this latest funding round will be the company’s final private funding stage before a potential initial public offering (IPO).

Statements from Leadership

“We are building a global pureplay in plant-based alternatives — which we believe is the future of food,” stated Roger Lienhard, founder and executive chairman of Blue Horizon and founder of LIVEKINDLY Collective. “In just one year, we have raised a significant amount of capital, which testifies to the urgency of our mission and the enormous investment opportunity it represents.”

Lienhard further expressed confidence in the continued growth of the plant-based movement, both in private and public markets.

Board Appointment

As a direct result of this investment, Steve Ellis, co-managing partner of The Rise Fund, has been appointed to the LIVEKINDLY Collective board of directors, effective March 1, 2021.

TPG’s Perspective

“We are excited to work with LIVEKINDLY Collective and its ecosystem of innovative companies and world-class leaders to meet the growing global demand for healthy, plant-based, clean-label options,” said Ellis.

He added that the company’s comprehensive, mission-driven approach, encompassing the entire supply chain “from seed to fork,” is designed to accelerate the global adoption of plant-based alternatives and contribute to a healthier planet.