Lever VC
Lever VC is a venture capital firm focusing on early-stage investments in the food and agriculture ecosystem, with emphasis on sustainability, health, and the development of alternative proteins. The firm backs startups across food technology, agricultural technology, novel ingredients, plant-based and cell-based proteins, farm inputs, crop technology, and related consumer products and services. It operates globally, with offices in New York and Hong Kong and staff across the United States, Hong Kong, Europe, and Israel, plus a regional presence in Kuala Lumpur. Led by Managing Partner Nick Cooney, a co-founder of New Crop Capital and the Good Food Institute, Lever VC combines experience in the alternative protein space with a broad investment approach across regions and sectors.
Top Stages
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Past deals in Nutrition
THIS
Series B in 2023
THIS is a brand specializing in plant-based meat alternatives. Their products are crafted from plant ingredients fortified with nutrients like vitamin B12 and iron, offering meat lovers a similar taste experience while being cruelty-free.
New School Foods
Seed Round in 2023
New School Foods develops plant-based seafood products that mimic the texture, flavor, nutrition, and cooking experience of traditional seafood. Their initial product is a plant-based salmon filet, aiming to provide sustainable and healthier alternatives.
GROUNDED
Seed Round in 2022
Grounded is a London-based food and beverage company founded in 2016, specializing in the production of healthy natural drinks. The company focuses on creating low-sugar and plant-based beverages, including protein milkshakes made from coconut milk. Grounded uses only raw ingredients sourced from nature, ensuring that its products provide a flavorful and nutritious alternative to traditional drinks. The packaging is environmentally friendly, utilizing materials derived from plants, which aligns with the company's commitment to sustainability while catering to health-conscious consumers.
NuCicer
Seed Round in 2022
NuCicer develops customized chickpea varieties to move chickpeas from an interesting ingredient to a staple superfood. Using a diverse breeding library and a proprietary platform grounded in plant genetics and machine learning, it creates chickpeas with enhanced protein content, targeted functional properties, and favorable agronomic traits. The company aims to deliver better nutrition, improved flavor, and more economical ingredients while reducing agriculture's environmental footprint. By offering multiple lines of chickpeas tailored to nutritional and environmental requirements, NuCicer supports the growth of protein-rich diets and related sectors, including plant-based foods and alternative meat.
Bond Pet Foods
Venture Round in 2022
Founded in 2015, Bond Pet Foods produces sustainable pet food using biotechnology. It creates animal protein through fermentation without slaughtering animals, meeting the nutritional requirements of companion pets.
CellX
Series A in 2022
CellX specializes in developing mushroom-based protein ingredients through morel mycelium fermentation. Their products cater to savory snacks, protein powders, and meat alternatives. Additionally, they license intellectual properties to facilitate the commercialization of cultivated meat.
NuCicer
Seed Round in 2022
NuCicer develops customized chickpea varieties to move chickpeas from an interesting ingredient to a staple superfood. Using a diverse breeding library and a proprietary platform grounded in plant genetics and machine learning, it creates chickpeas with enhanced protein content, targeted functional properties, and favorable agronomic traits. The company aims to deliver better nutrition, improved flavor, and more economical ingredients while reducing agriculture's environmental footprint. By offering multiple lines of chickpeas tailored to nutritional and environmental requirements, NuCicer supports the growth of protein-rich diets and related sectors, including plant-based foods and alternative meat.
Nude
Series A in 2022
Nude is a food technology company specializing in plant-based products derived from oats sourced from small-scale producers. Committed to sustainability and flavor innovation, Nude focuses on creating delicious, healthy, and environmentally responsible alternatives.
Marvelous Foods
Angel Round in 2022
Marvelous Foods is a plant-based snack foods start-up focused on producing and retailing dairy-free coconut yogurt under the brand name yeyo yogurt. The company aims to provide nutritious, flavorful, and environmentally-friendly alternatives to traditional dairy products. By prioritizing gut health and catering to dietary restrictions, Marvelous Foods appeals to consumers seeking allergy-friendly options. Initially, the company shared its yogurt with friends, family, and local eateries that appreciate natural food choices, positioning itself as a promoter of healthy eating and sustainable practices in the food industry.
NoMoo Plant-Based
Series A in 2021
NoMoo Plant-Based is a manufacturer of fermented cashew nut cheeses and yogurts, specializing in plant-based milk products as sustainable alternatives to animal-based offerings. The company produces a variety of vegan products, including cheese, yogurt, mayonnaise, and French-style fermented butter, all made from locally sourced cashews. By focusing on these plant-based options, NoMoo Plant-Based aims to provide consumers with delicious and environmentally friendly choices that celebrate Brazilian cuisine.
Welldone
Series A in 2021
Welldone is a plant-based meat producer that offers cutlets, minced meat, and patties as nourishing alternatives to animal-based foods. The company emphasizes nutritious, delicious, and affordable products and relies on research and development and strategic sourcing to scale its offerings and expand beyond its domestic market.
THIS
Series A in 2021
THIS is a brand specializing in plant-based meat alternatives. Their products are crafted from plant ingredients fortified with nutrients like vitamin B12 and iron, offering meat lovers a similar taste experience while being cruelty-free.
Marvelous Foods
Seed Round in 2021
Marvelous Foods is a plant-based snack foods start-up focused on producing and retailing dairy-free coconut yogurt under the brand name yeyo yogurt. The company aims to provide nutritious, flavorful, and environmentally-friendly alternatives to traditional dairy products. By prioritizing gut health and catering to dietary restrictions, Marvelous Foods appeals to consumers seeking allergy-friendly options. Initially, the company shared its yogurt with friends, family, and local eateries that appreciate natural food choices, positioning itself as a promoter of healthy eating and sustainable practices in the food industry.
CellX
Seed Round in 2021
CellX specializes in developing mushroom-based protein ingredients through morel mycelium fermentation. Their products cater to savory snacks, protein powders, and meat alternatives. Additionally, they license intellectual properties to facilitate the commercialization of cultivated meat.
The New
Seed Round in 2021
The New is a Brazilian food technology company specializing in the production of plant-based meats that serve as alternatives to animal-based products. The company offers a range of meat substitutes, including options that resemble beef burgers, chicken tenders, and salmon fillets, utilizing ingredients such as pea protein, coconut oil, and beetroot. The products are designed to be gluten-free and free from added sugars, catering to consumers seeking healthier and sustainable food choices.
CellX
Pre Seed Round in 2020
CellX specializes in developing mushroom-based protein ingredients through morel mycelium fermentation. Their products cater to savory snacks, protein powders, and meat alternatives. Additionally, they license intellectual properties to facilitate the commercialization of cultivated meat.
Bond Pet Foods
Convertible Note in 2020
Founded in 2015, Bond Pet Foods produces sustainable pet food using biotechnology. It creates animal protein through fermentation without slaughtering animals, meeting the nutritional requirements of companion pets.
GROUNDED
Seed Round in 2020
Grounded is a London-based food and beverage company founded in 2016, specializing in the production of healthy natural drinks. The company focuses on creating low-sugar and plant-based beverages, including protein milkshakes made from coconut milk. Grounded uses only raw ingredients sourced from nature, ensuring that its products provide a flavorful and nutritious alternative to traditional drinks. The packaging is environmentally friendly, utilizing materials derived from plants, which aligns with the company's commitment to sustainability while catering to health-conscious consumers.
Bond Pet Foods
Seed Round in 2019
Founded in 2015, Bond Pet Foods produces sustainable pet food using biotechnology. It creates animal protein through fermentation without slaughtering animals, meeting the nutritional requirements of companion pets.
Marvelous Foods
Seed Round in 2019
Marvelous Foods is a plant-based snack foods start-up focused on producing and retailing dairy-free coconut yogurt under the brand name yeyo yogurt. The company aims to provide nutritious, flavorful, and environmentally-friendly alternatives to traditional dairy products. By prioritizing gut health and catering to dietary restrictions, Marvelous Foods appeals to consumers seeking allergy-friendly options. Initially, the company shared its yogurt with friends, family, and local eateries that appreciate natural food choices, positioning itself as a promoter of healthy eating and sustainable practices in the food industry.
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