Lever VC

Lever VC is a U.S.-Hong Kong venture capital fund founded by Managing Partner Nick Cooney and investing in early stage companies in the alternative protein sector (plant-based and “clean”/cell-based meat, egg and dairy companies). Lever VC operates globally, with offices in Hong Kong and the U.S. and staff in the US, Hong Kong, Europe, and Israel. Entrepreneurs and startups interested in connecting with Lever VC about possible investment can reach the team and submit information about their company at http://www.levervc.com. Managing Partner Nick Cooney is the Co-Founder and former Managing Trustee of New Crop Capital, a private venture capital trust vehicle investing in the alternative protein space, and is Co-Founder of the Good Food Institute, the world’s largest non-governmental organization working to grow the alternative protein space. The General Partners at Lever VC have deployed over $1.5 billion in capital over the past decade across a variety of sectors, including over thirty deals in the alternative protein space.

Lawrence Chu

Partner

Yuk Lun Leung

Partner

31 past transactions

Avant Meats

Venture Round in 2022
They focus on technology, commercial product innovation, and branding as well as intellectual property portfolio building in the area of ‘cell-based’ animal protein food products.

Melt&Marble

Seed Round in 2022
Producer of fats for plant-based foods intended to provide alternative protein with fats. The company creates yeast cell factories through bioengineering technology that can dictate the structure and properties of the fats that microbes are producing, enabling producers and food manufacturers to make plant-based foods as healthy and tasty as animal-based foods.

Mooji Meats

Seed Round in 2022
Mooji Meats is developing Meat 2.0, the next generation of ethical and sustainable meat.

Good Food Technologies

Seed Round in 2022
Good Food Technologies is a Hong Kong-based startup focused on innovative food R&D and manufacturing.

NuCicer

Seed Round in 2022
NuCicer is a crop genetics company pioneering ultra-high protein varieties of chickpea. The company was founded in 2019 and is based in Davis, California.

Nude

Series A in 2022
Nude is a food tech that develops its food using oats from small producers. Hey Nude is committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and targets, is 100% plant-based, and is led by women. It innovates by focusing on flavor and nature.

Welldone

Series A in 2021
WE MAKE DELICIOUS, NUTRITIOUS AND AFFORDABLE PLANT-BASED MEAT. AND WE ARE GOING WELL. Plant-based meat producer leveraging strong R&D and sourcing in Russia. We are building brand #1 in country to cater plant-based meat to 140+ mln people and to expand abroad. Targeting to reach price parity with meat in 2022 to address the wider consumer audience.

THIS

Series A in 2021
THIS is a plant-based meat brand that provides alternative meat products for meat lovers. The company's products are made of plant-based ingredients that are fortified with vitamin B12 and iron, enabling meat lovers to get the real feel of having meat-based products and satisfy their tastes without killing animals.

Marvelous Foods

Seed Round in 2021
Marvelous Foods, based in Beijing, China, specializes in the production of plant-based yogurt, particularly dairy-free coconut yogurt. The company aims to meet the growing demand for gut-healing and allergy-friendly food options. By focusing on these health-conscious products, Marvelous Foods provides consumers with alternatives that support digestive health while accommodating various dietary restrictions.

Mission Barns

Series A in 2021
Mission Barns, Inc., founded in 2018 and based in Berkeley, California, specializes in producing cell-cultured meat from animal cells. The company cultivates animal cells in a nutrient-rich environment, allowing for the sustainable growth of meat while minimizing the negative impacts associated with traditional animal farming. By leveraging advancements in biotechnology and food science, Mission Barns aims to provide juicy and savory meat products in a more efficient and environmentally friendly manner. The company's approach is designed to contribute to a more sensible food system, addressing the growing demand for sustainable food solutions.

Blackbird Foods

Seed Round in 2021
Blackbird Foods is a manufacturer of plant-based foods.

Hero Protein

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Hero Protein operates as an alternative protein company. Hero Protein produces juicy, delicious meat from plants.

Avant Meats

Seed Round in 2020
They focus on technology, commercial product innovation, and branding as well as intellectual property portfolio building in the area of ‘cell-based’ animal protein food products.

Bond Pet Foods

Convertible Note in 2020
Bond Pet Foods makes pet food from real animal protein, without the animal by working with biotechnology. Bond Pet Foods develops meat proteins obtained from animal cells (no slaughter required) and natural microbes. It is fed a nutrient-rich broth of vitamins, sugars, and minerals in fermentation tanks, without the pharmaceuticals. Bond Pet Foods was founded on 2015 and is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado.

Good PLANeT Foods

Series A in 2020
Good PLANeT Foods LLC is a Bellevue, Washington-based company that specializes in the production of plant-based cheese products. Founded in 2017, the company offers a range of cheese options, including shreds such as Mozzarella, Smoked Mozzarella, Parmesan, and Cheddar, as well as slices like Smoked Provolone, Cheddar, American, Garlic and Herb, and Hot Pepper. Good PLANeT Foods is committed to creating value for its customers and fostering positive relationships through its innovative offerings, reflecting a mission to promote wellness for both individuals and the planet.

GROUNDED

Seed Round in 2020
Grounded is a food and beverage company that manufactures healthy natural drinks. Its drinks make everyday functional products natural by using only raw ingredients straight from nature. It was founded in 2016 and is based in London, England.

TurtleTree

Pre Seed Round in 2020
TurtleTree Labs is a biotechnology company founded in 2019 and based in Singapore, specializing in the production of real milk from animal cells. The company addresses the challenges of the traditional dairy industry by utilizing patented technologies to replicate the natural milk production process using mammary cells. This innovative approach allows TurtleTree to create full-composition, full-functionality, and full-flavor milk without relying on animal farming, thereby eliminating issues related to pollution, resource inefficiency, and health risks. By producing clean milk in controlled food production facilities, TurtleTree aims to provide consumers with safe, healthy, and customizable dairy products while minimizing environmental impact and animal exploitation.

The Better Meat

Seed Round in 2020
The Better Meat Co. makes plant-based proteins that foodservice providers and meat companies can seamlessly blend directly into ground meat. Their products improve taste and texture; reduce calories, saturated fat, and cholesterol; and improve the environmental footprint of ground meat products, all in a cost-competitive way. The Better Meat Co. is founded in 2018 by Joanna Bromley and Paul Shapiro and is based in Sacramento, California.

Bond Pet Foods

Seed Round in 2019
Bond Pet Foods makes pet food from real animal protein, without the animal by working with biotechnology. Bond Pet Foods develops meat proteins obtained from animal cells (no slaughter required) and natural microbes. It is fed a nutrient-rich broth of vitamins, sugars, and minerals in fermentation tanks, without the pharmaceuticals. Bond Pet Foods was founded on 2015 and is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado.

Good PLANeT Foods

Seed Round in 2019
Good PLANeT Foods LLC is a Bellevue, Washington-based company that specializes in the production of plant-based cheese products. Founded in 2017, the company offers a range of cheese options, including shreds such as Mozzarella, Smoked Mozzarella, Parmesan, and Cheddar, as well as slices like Smoked Provolone, Cheddar, American, Garlic and Herb, and Hot Pepper. Good PLANeT Foods is committed to creating value for its customers and fostering positive relationships through its innovative offerings, reflecting a mission to promote wellness for both individuals and the planet.

The Good Spoon

Seed Round in 2019
The Good Spoon Co manufactures and distributes gourmet eggless sauces and plant-based mayos made using microalgae or microscopic seaweed condiments. The company’s products include Supernaise, Garlinaise, Currynaise, and Spicynaise sauces. The company was founded in 2019 and is headquartered in Paris, France.

Marvelous Foods

Seed Round in 2019
Marvelous Foods, based in Beijing, China, specializes in the production of plant-based yogurt, particularly dairy-free coconut yogurt. The company aims to meet the growing demand for gut-healing and allergy-friendly food options. By focusing on these health-conscious products, Marvelous Foods provides consumers with alternatives that support digestive health while accommodating various dietary restrictions.

Avant Meats

Seed Round in 2019
They focus on technology, commercial product innovation, and branding as well as intellectual property portfolio building in the area of ‘cell-based’ animal protein food products.

Mission Barns

Seed Round in 2019
Mission Barns, Inc., founded in 2018 and based in Berkeley, California, specializes in producing cell-cultured meat from animal cells. The company cultivates animal cells in a nutrient-rich environment, allowing for the sustainable growth of meat while minimizing the negative impacts associated with traditional animal farming. By leveraging advancements in biotechnology and food science, Mission Barns aims to provide juicy and savory meat products in a more efficient and environmentally friendly manner. The company's approach is designed to contribute to a more sensible food system, addressing the growing demand for sustainable food solutions.