Big Idea Ventures

Big Idea Ventures, LLC is a venture capital accelerator founded in 2019, with offices in New York and Singapore. The firm focuses on investing in startup and early-stage companies that are developing alternative protein sources, particularly in the plant-based and cell-based meat sectors. Through its New Protein Fund, Big Idea Ventures provides capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs creating innovative products, ingredients, and technologies in the alternative protein ecosystem. The firm primarily targets investments of $0.2 million and looks for opportunities in Asia and North America, aiming to address global challenges related to food sustainability and nutrition.

Andrew Ive

General Partner

Past deals in Organic Food

Haofood

Seed Round in 2022
Haofood is a pioneering company in the plant-based meat sector, specifically focusing on realistic and nutritious chicken alternatives made from peanut protein. With the growing interest in reducing meat consumption in China, where many consumers are dissatisfied with existing plant-based options, Haofood addresses these concerns by offering a product that emulates the texture and taste of traditional chicken. The company’s unique approach utilizes proprietary extrusion technology to create a plant-based chicken that appeals to both flexitarians and vegetarians, particularly those longing for comfort foods like fried chicken. Founded by experienced professionals in the food industry, Haofood combines expertise in entrepreneurship and food technology to produce affordable and sustainable meat alternatives, fulfilling a crucial demand in the market for innovative plant-based foods.

Lypid

Seed Round in 2022
Minutri brings together a healthy, practical, tasty food, ready for consumption, and for all tastes, ages, food preferences, and times of the day. From breakfast to supper, they have ready meals, snacks, supplements, and drinks, with vegan, organic, zero sugar, low carb, and other options. The company's foods are developed with the aim of being balanced, nutritious, and very tasty. They are gluten-free and dairy-free, made with natural and selected ingredients and spices, without refined sugar, without preservatives or artificial additives.

Harmony Baby Nutrition

Seed Round in 2021
Harmony Baby Nutrition is a food-tech company providing next-generation of human breast milk-based formulas. Their formulas are dairy-free, allergy-free, environmentally friendly, and impact the whole baby food industry by changing the main structure of current baby products. The company is helping to improve the quality of life of babies around the world by making the next generation of baby formulas containing human breast milk proteins as the base, instead of cow’s milk. Harmony Baby Nutrition was established in 2018 and is based in Boston, MA.

MOA

Seed Round in 2021
MOA make healthy food for a sustainable world that solves growing global food demands. They are establishing a new industry of sustainable food that solves growing global food demands without the need for arable land. They are focused on designing high-value, natural and nutritious food.

Grounded Foods Co.

Seed Round in 2021
Grounded Foods Co. specializes in producing plant-based cheeses crafted from cauliflower and hemp seeds. The company's product lineup includes gruyere-style cheese, camembert-style cheese, marinated hemp seed feta, and hemp seed cream cheese. Utilizing a proprietary fermentation process, Grounded Foods Co. transforms imperfect vegetables and hemp seeds into cheese alternatives that closely mimic the flavor and texture of traditional dairy cheese while offering high nutritional value and environmental benefits. Founded in 2019 by Australian entrepreneurs Veronica Fil and Shaun Quade, the company operates out of West Hollywood, California, and distributes its products through retail stores and online channels.

No Evil Foods

Seed Round in 2021
No Evil Foods, LLC, founded in 2014 and based in Weaverville, North Carolina, specializes in producing and retailing plant-based protein products designed to replicate the taste and texture of meat. Utilizing a blend of beans, wheat berries, and yeast, the company aims to create nutritionally superior and fully flavored meat substitutes. No Evil Foods is committed to improving the food system and incorporates innovative practices such as fermentation and upcycled ingredients into its products. The company has gained recognition in various media outlets and awards, and its offerings are distributed across hundreds of restaurants, universities, and grocery stores in twelve states, including notable retailers like Whole Foods Market and Earth Fare.

Wild Earth

Series A in 2021
Wild Earth is a technology startup based in Berkeley, California, founded in 2017. The company focuses on developing high-protein pet foods that prioritize health, environmental sustainability, and humane sourcing compared to traditional pet food products. By leveraging scientific advancements, Wild Earth aims to reinvent pet nutrition and create cleaner, more nutritious options for pet owners and their animals.

Actual Veggies

Seed Round in 2021
Actual Veggies Inc., founded in 2020 and based in New York, specializes in processing fresh, refrigerated vegetable burgers. The company aims to provide a healthy and satisfying meal option for vegans, flexitarians, and meat-eaters alike, by celebrating the natural flavors of vegetables rather than masking them. Actual Veggies offers a unique alternative to traditional frozen veggie burgers, focusing on fresh ingredients without preservatives or artificial additives. Their product line features vibrant, 5-ounce burgers crafted solely from real vegetables and natural binding agents, emphasizing a visually appealing and flavorful experience. Each burger is made in the kitchen using whole ingredients, steering clear of reengineered chemical processes typical in many plant-based offerings. Actual Veggies stands out by providing delicious, environmentally friendly meal options that highlight the essence of vegetables.

Actual Veggies

Seed Round in 2021
Actual Veggies Inc., founded in 2020 and based in New York, specializes in processing fresh, refrigerated vegetable burgers. The company aims to provide a healthy and satisfying meal option for vegans, flexitarians, and meat-eaters alike, by celebrating the natural flavors of vegetables rather than masking them. Actual Veggies offers a unique alternative to traditional frozen veggie burgers, focusing on fresh ingredients without preservatives or artificial additives. Their product line features vibrant, 5-ounce burgers crafted solely from real vegetables and natural binding agents, emphasizing a visually appealing and flavorful experience. Each burger is made in the kitchen using whole ingredients, steering clear of reengineered chemical processes typical in many plant-based offerings. Actual Veggies stands out by providing delicious, environmentally friendly meal options that highlight the essence of vegetables.

Yofix

Series A in 2021
Yofix Probiotics Ltd. is an Israeli company founded in 2015, specializing in the development and production of plant-based, non-dairy probiotic foods and beverages. The company creates a product called Yofix, which is a fermented plant-based yogurt made from a blend of cereals, nuts, and seeds. Yofix emphasizes clean labeling by avoiding artificial ingredients and preservatives, while focusing on high nutritional values and a sustainable production process. The initial offering is a plant-based yogurt, with plans to expand the product line to include yogurt drinks, desserts, frozen yogurt, and ice cream alternatives.

GOURMEY

Seed Round in 2021
GOURMEY is a pioneering cultivated meat company based in Paris, France, founded in 2019. It specializes in developing and producing ethical foie gras derived from duck cells, aiming to transform the traditional meat industry. GOURMEY's mission focuses on facilitating a humane and sustainable transition in meat production by harvesting meat directly from animal cells. By reinventing France's renowned delicacy, GOURMEY seeks to promote a healthier and more ethical approach to meat consumption.

Harmony Baby Nutrition

Seed Round in 2021
Harmony Baby Nutrition is a food-tech company providing next-generation of human breast milk-based formulas. Their formulas are dairy-free, allergy-free, environmentally friendly, and impact the whole baby food industry by changing the main structure of current baby products. The company is helping to improve the quality of life of babies around the world by making the next generation of baby formulas containing human breast milk proteins as the base, instead of cow’s milk. Harmony Baby Nutrition was established in 2018 and is based in Boston, MA.

MAD Foods

Pre Seed Round in 2021
MAD Foods is a pioneering plant-based beverage company based in Singapore, focused on addressing lactose intolerance through its premium-quality oat milk coffee. The company offers a range of dairy-free products, including double shot and single-shot iced coffee, as well as a decaffeinated option, all free from added sugars. By prioritizing flavor and affordability, MAD Foods aims to serve not only the local market but also the broader Asian region, providing nutritious and delicious alternatives for consumers seeking plant-based options.

New Breed Meats

Pre Seed Round in 2021
New Breed Meats creates plant-based meats that look, cook and taste just like their animal counterparts. Our meats are made for all and does not contain any of the top 8 allergens. It is soy-free, gluten-free, non-GMO and 100% meaty and delicious!

Wellme

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Internet, healthy drinks, e-commerce, social networks, dairy products, food, plant-based, intestinal flora, probiotics, and dietary fiber

incrEDIBLE

Pre Seed Round in 2021
incrEDIBLE reinvents the way we eat or pack our food by replacing single use plastics with edible cutlery. Our edible spoons are vegan, natural and made with non-gmo grains. They can stay firm for up to 30 minutes in hot foods and come in 2 shapes and 5 flavors! Did you EAT your SPOON today? PS: More incrEDIBLE shapes like edible straws, edible sporks are on the way!

Farmsow

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Farmsow is developing novel food ingredients with its micro biorefinery platform Agrolysis™, working towards the health of the planet and its inhabitants.

Good Catch

Series B in 2021
Good Catch Foods focuses on creating vegan and plant-based substitutes for seafood. Founded in 2016, the company offers a variety of products including plant-based shredded tuna, crab cakes, and fish patties, all made from ingredients such as pea proteins, lentils, chickpeas, and fava beans. Originally based in New York, Good Catch has since moved its headquarters to Newtown, Pennsylvania, where it continues to innovate in the field of plant-based seafood alternatives.

Gathered Foods

Series B in 2021
Gathered Foods Corporation, operating under the brand Good Catch, specializes in creating plant-based seafood alternatives in the United States. Founded in 2016 and based in Heath, Ohio, the company offers a range of products, including plant-based tuna, frozen entrées, and appetizers. Its innovative seafood alternatives are crafted from a six-legume blend, which comprises peas, chickpeas, lentils, soy, fava beans, and navy beans, combined with seaweed and algae extract to impart an umami flavor. These products are designed to be dairy-free, gluten-free, and non-GMO, catering to consumers seeking cruelty-free alternatives to traditional seafood. Gathered Foods distributes its offerings through retail stores and online platforms, making its products accessible to a wider audience.

Little Bandits

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Little Bandits is a dairy-free brand for kids, inspired by my son’s food allergies. Despite an increase in food allergies and the rise in plant-based diets, there is no single brand strongly leading children’s free from food category.

Plant Ranch

Seed Round in 2021
Plant Ranch is a producer of plant-based proteins that aims to reduce the environmental impact associated with traditional animal farming. With a diverse background, including 66% Latin American ownership, the company prioritizes authenticity in flavor by utilizing generations-old recipes. Their offerings are designed for health-conscious consumers, providing low-calorie and low-fat protein options that are fully cooked and seasoned, making them easy to incorporate into various dishes. Plant Ranch emphasizes that choosing their products does not require sacrificing flavor or enjoyment in meals, and instead promotes a lifestyle that eliminates unhealthy trans fats and the negative ecological effects of animal protein consumption.

Angie's Tempeh

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Plant-based protein

Blue Ridge Bantam

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Blue Ridge Bantam is the South’s first cultured meat company focused on America’s original source of protein: turkey. It’s mission is to commercialize avian cell-based technology in order to help the world transition to meat that is healthy, tasty, and most importantly sustainable.

Innocent Meat

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Innocent Meat is a pioneering German start-up focused on the production of cultured meat, aiming to make this innovative food source commercially viable and widely accessible. The company emphasizes sustainability, as its production methods utilize 65% fewer resources compared to traditional meat farming. Innocent Meat's products are designed to be healthier than conventional meat, being free from fattening antibiotics and low in cholesterol, while being cultivated in controlled environments. Additionally, Innocent Meat provides a comprehensive plug-and-play system for meat producers looking to transition to cell-based alternatives. This system includes essential components such as growth media, cell lines, and scaffolding, along with manufacturing hardware like bioreactors and filtration systems, enabling clients to ensure safety and efficiency in clean meat production.

Farmsow

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Farmsow is developing novel food ingredients with its micro biorefinery platform Agrolysis™, working towards the health of the planet and its inhabitants.

Fenn Foods

Seed Round in 2020
Paving the way toward a healthy plant-based future for Australians since 2015, family business Fënn Foods puts sustainability at the heart of every decision it makes. With celebrated chef Alejandro Cancino at the helm of Fënn Foods’ recipe development, customers can expect to enjoy natural, high-quality and seriously delicious vegan fare that will appeal to (and surprise) everyone. Based on Queensland’s serene Sunshine Coast, the passionate plant-powered family behind these delectable products is excited to share its expanding range of umami-rich plant-based meats with food-loving people seeking sustainable and appetising alternatives.

Orbillion Bio

Seed Round in 2020
Orbillion Bio, Inc., a food-tech company, develops cultured meat products using a small tissue sample from heritage cattle breeds. It develops premium cell-based meat products from heritage cell lines that are directly sourced from farmers. The company was incorporated in 2019 and is based in Fremont, California.

Yoconut Dairy Free

Seed Round in 2020
Yoconut Dairy Free is a food innovation start-up that sells yogurt that has natural electrolytes, no added sugar, and made from coconuts. The big 8 most common food allergens can be found in their foods. Its products also are high in calcium and fiber, and with live and active cultures. It was founded in 2016 and is located in San Francisco, California.

WTH Foods

Seed Round in 2020
WTH Foods produces plant-based meat products in the Philippines. The company produces plant-based alternative proteins using local ingredients. Its products include corned beef, tote canvas bags, ground meat, pinoy pulled pork, and jackfruit nuggets. The company sells its products online. WTH Foods was founded in 2019 and is based in Makati City, the Philippines.

Peace of Meat

Seed Round in 2020
Real Meat. Guilt free. Cell based.

Karana

Seed Round in 2020
Karana is a Singapore-based company that specializes in producing whole-plant meat substitutes, focusing on jackfruit as a primary ingredient. Founded in 2018, the company creates sustainable and minimally processed meat alternatives designed specifically for Asian culinary applications, such as dumplings and baos. By utilizing biodiverse and regenerative crops, Karana aims to provide health-conscious consumers with nutritious and versatile plant-based products that replicate the taste and texture of traditional meat. Through its innovative approach, Karana contributes to a more sustainable food system while catering to the growing demand for plant-based alternatives.

Novel Farms

Pre Seed Round in 2020
Novel Farms, Inc. is engaged in the production of cell-based meat delicacies for ethical foodies. It offers cruelty-free, low cost and tunable 3D bioscaffolds for the production of structured cell-based meat products. The company was incorporated in 2020 and is based in Berkeley, California.

Actual Veggies

Seed Round in 2020
Actual Veggies Inc., founded in 2020 and based in New York, specializes in processing fresh, refrigerated vegetable burgers. The company aims to provide a healthy and satisfying meal option for vegans, flexitarians, and meat-eaters alike, by celebrating the natural flavors of vegetables rather than masking them. Actual Veggies offers a unique alternative to traditional frozen veggie burgers, focusing on fresh ingredients without preservatives or artificial additives. Their product line features vibrant, 5-ounce burgers crafted solely from real vegetables and natural binding agents, emphasizing a visually appealing and flavorful experience. Each burger is made in the kitchen using whole ingredients, steering clear of reengineered chemical processes typical in many plant-based offerings. Actual Veggies stands out by providing delicious, environmentally friendly meal options that highlight the essence of vegetables.

Orbillion Bio

Pre Seed Round in 2020
Orbillion Bio, Inc., a food-tech company, develops cultured meat products using a small tissue sample from heritage cattle breeds. It develops premium cell-based meat products from heritage cell lines that are directly sourced from farmers. The company was incorporated in 2019 and is based in Fremont, California.

Grounded Foods Co.

Pre Seed Round in 2019
Grounded Foods Co. specializes in producing plant-based cheeses crafted from cauliflower and hemp seeds. The company's product lineup includes gruyere-style cheese, camembert-style cheese, marinated hemp seed feta, and hemp seed cream cheese. Utilizing a proprietary fermentation process, Grounded Foods Co. transforms imperfect vegetables and hemp seeds into cheese alternatives that closely mimic the flavor and texture of traditional dairy cheese while offering high nutritional value and environmental benefits. Founded in 2019 by Australian entrepreneurs Veronica Fil and Shaun Quade, the company operates out of West Hollywood, California, and distributes its products through retail stores and online channels.

Black Sheep Foods

Seed Round in 2019
Black Sheep Foods Inc., founded in 2017 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, specializes in producing plant-based lamb alternatives. The company leverages innovative technology and analytical chemistry to develop its products, which include a plant-based alternative to ground lamb made from soy protein, coconut oil, and natural flavors. By offering a sustainable substitute for traditional lamb, Black Sheep Foods aims to provide consumers with a healthier option that also helps reduce their carbon footprint while delivering a similar taste experience.

Pleese Foods

Seed Round in 2019
Pleese Foods is an allergen-friendly plant-based cheese company. It helps people transition from traditional dairy with Pleese, a plant-based cheese made from all-natural ingredients. Pleese offers boldly delicious culinary-inspired flavors that deliver mouthwatering experiences in sandwiches, topped on plant-based burgers, grilled with paninis, and of course, melted on pizza.

Revolution Gelato

Seed Round in 2019
Revolution Gelato specializes in producing plant-based gelato that aims to provide a superior taste experience compared to traditional dairy products. The company focuses on using simple, clean ingredients, ensuring that its offerings are organic, non-GMO, vegan, kosher pareve, gluten-free, soy-free, and egg-free. The gelato is crafted from a blend of premium coconuts, cashews, and pure sugarcane, among other carefully selected whole foods, which contribute to its creamy texture. This approach allows consumers to indulge in a variety of flavors while feeling good about their choices.

Phuture Foods

Seed Round in 2019
Introducing PHUTURE®, a plant-based meat company that redefines the future of food. Technology has made it possible for us to consume protein without meat. With PHUTURE®, we hope to reinvent the meaty experience that you find in your favourite cuisine and infuse the science of technology to the art of cooking. The PHUTURE® proprietary matrix of processing technology has incorporated rice into our PHUTURE® blend which creates the delicious fatty, juicy mouthfeel to our plant-based product, mimicking that of the building blocks in meat.

GOURMEY

Seed Round in 2019
GOURMEY is a pioneering cultivated meat company based in Paris, France, founded in 2019. It specializes in developing and producing ethical foie gras derived from duck cells, aiming to transform the traditional meat industry. GOURMEY's mission focuses on facilitating a humane and sustainable transition in meat production by harvesting meat directly from animal cells. By reinventing France's renowned delicacy, GOURMEY seeks to promote a healthier and more ethical approach to meat consumption.

PlantKind

Pre Seed Round in 2019
Plantkind makes plant-based meat, dairy, and egg replacements designed to be drop-in replacements for any meal or menu. Our products are the perfect solution for busy food service professionals looking to satisfy the increase in demand for plant-based options. Coming soon to a grocery store or wholesaler near you!

Confetti Snacks

Pre Seed Round in 2019
Confetti crafts award-winning tasty gourmet snacks made from nutrient dense vegetables in Singapore heritage flavours. The delicious plant-based snacks come in 100% home compostable packets that are gentle on the planet. A portion of proceeds go to alleviate global hunger and malnutrition.

Uproot

Seed Round in 2019
Coffee shops, cafeterias and other food services struggle to meet the demand for different varieties of plant milk. Uproot dispensers help food services streamline their operations, reduce packaging waste and offer the plant milks that people want.

Patch Organics

Seed Round in 2019
Patch Organics is the first to use Pumpkin Seeds and the base for our delicious plant-based dairy alternative beverages. We are allergen free, animal friendly, environmentally friendly and offer similar nutrition profile to dairy milk.