Lever VC

Lever VC is a venture capital fund founded in 2017, with its headquarters in Brooklyn, New York, and regional offices in San Francisco and Hong Kong. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage companies within the alternative protein sector, focusing on plant-based and cell-based meat, dairy, and egg products. Led by Managing Partner Nick Cooney, who has a strong background in the alternative protein industry through roles with New Crop Capital and the Good Food Institute, Lever VC has established itself as a significant player in this emerging market. The firm's general partners have collectively invested over $1.5 billion across various sectors in the past decade, including more than thirty deals specifically in the alternative protein space. Lever VC operates globally, with teams in the U.S., Hong Kong, Europe, and Israel, actively seeking opportunities to support innovative entrepreneurs and startups in food technology.

Ronen Bar

Venture Partner

James Caffyn

Partner

Thomas Chen

Associate

Felipe Krelling

Venture Partner

Clémence Landeau

Venture Partner, Europe

Laura Ocampo

Venture Partner

Ramzi Schumann

Venture Partner

Yoanna Zheng

Venture Partner

Past deals in Nutrition

Bond Pet Foods

Venture Round in 2022
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.

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.

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.

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.

Blackbird Foods

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

HERO Protein

Pre Seed Round in 2021
HERO Protein is an alternative protein company focused on producing plant-based meat products. The company develops a variety of meat alternatives, including beef, chicken, and fish, using high moisture extrusion technology. This innovative approach, not widely adopted by domestic brands in China as of 2021, allows HERO Protein to create products that closely mimic the taste and culinary experience of conventional meat. In addition to flavor, the company emphasizes food safety, nutrition, and sustainability, making their offerings accessible and appealing to consumers seeking healthier and environmentally friendly food options.

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.

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.

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.

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.
Spot something off? Help us improve by flagging any incorrect or outdated information. Just email us at support@teaserclub.com. Your feedback is most welcome.