SOSV, established in 1995 and headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, is a global venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments. It focuses on deep tech innovations in the health and environmental sectors, supporting founders with breakthrough technologies through its HAX and IndieBio startup development programs. SOSV provides resources, facilities, and lab equipment to accelerate product development and scale, with a track record of helping its portfolio companies secure subsequent funding rounds led by top-tier investors.
DSG Consumer Partners is a venture capital firm that focuses on identifying, investing in, and growing consumer brands in India and Southeast Asia. The firm primarily takes minority equity positions in unlisted companies but will consider control investments when the right management team is in place. It provides growth capital and liquidity options for founders and shareholders through secondary transactions. The team has a long track record dating back to 2004 of backing established brands across categories such as beverages, e-commerce, and foodservice, demonstrating a hands-on approach to building consumer businesses over the long term. Based in Singapore, the firm invests in early to growth-stage opportunities in the consumer products and services sector across the region.
Y Combinator, established in 2005, is a prominent American technology startup accelerator and venture capital firm. It provides funding and mentorship to early-stage companies, primarily in the United States. The firm's core program involves investing a small amount of capital in exchange for equity, typically around 6-7%, and providing intensive support to startups over a three-month period. This includes refining business models, developing products, and honing investor pitches. Y Combinator serves a wide range of industries, with a focus on technology, healthcare, and finance. Additionally, Y Combinator Continuity, a dedicated investment fund, supports founders as they scale their companies, investing in later-stage alumni companies and helping cash-intensive businesses.
Sharrp Ventures focuses on investing in early stage and growth stage companies that have shown some level of business traction. The firm is sector agnostic but tends to favor consumer and consumption-related ideas. Operating with a small team, Sharrp Ventures benefits from a broad network connected to the Marico Group, allowing it to provide valuable connections and insights to the companies it invests in on a pull-basis. This strategic positioning enables Sharrp Ventures to support its portfolio companies effectively while exploring diverse investment opportunities.
Antler, established in 2017 and headquartered in Singapore, is an early-stage venture capital firm focused on investing in technology companies. It supports exceptional founders from day one, providing access to a global network of co-founders, talent, advisors, and expansion support, along with capital. Antler's funds, including Antler UK Fund and Antler India Fund, target various sectors such as information technology, climate tech, healthtech, software, energy services, and SaaS, with investments ranging from USD 0.2 to 0.4 million.
L Catterton is a global private equity firm specializing in consumer-focused investments. Founded in 1989, it operates through regional offices in Europe, Asia, and North America, with headquarters in Greenwich, Connecticut. The firm invests in growth capital, buyouts, and recapitalizations across various consumer sectors, including food and beverage, retail, consumer products, and services. It targets companies with enterprise values ranging from €50 million to €400 million, and sales values between €30 million and €400 million. L Catterton provides strategic and operational support to its portfolio companies, aiming to enhance performance and investment returns. It typically invests between €15 million and €40 million, and can take either majority or minority stakes.
IndieBio is an accelerator that supports startups using biology to solve major problems, delivering four-month programs for companies and teams with ideas. Based in San Francisco with an office in New York, it focuses on life sciences, biotechnology and synthetic biology, investing in seed and early-stage ventures that place biology at the core of their technology across products, processes and software. The program favors teams with two or more co-founders and generally provides equity-based funding in the early stages, often combining direct investments with additional financing options. Founded in 2014, IndieBio operates within the SOSV accelerator network, a global platform that supports portfolio companies through mentorship, resources and cross-border programs.
Founded in 2014, S2G Ventures is a Chicago-based investment firm focusing on venture and growth-stage businesses in the food and agriculture sectors. The company aims to support entrepreneurs driving innovation towards sustainable and healthy food systems.
Five Seasons Ventures, established in 2016, is a Paris-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies operating in the food and agriculture sectors. The firm focuses on Europe, with a particular interest in Italy and France, and considers investments outside the region. It typically allocates between €2 million to €10 million per investment, taking significant minority stakes and board seats, often as part of a syndicate. Five Seasons Ventures supports innovative companies that cater to evolving consumer preferences, such as healthier food, convenience, cleaner labels, and sustainability, by providing capital, technology expertise, industry connections, and operational support.
AccelFoods is a New York-based company founded in 2013 that focuses on partnering with high-growth early-stage food and beverage companies. It provides driven founders with access to industry expertise and infrastructure necessary to develop unique products and effective go-to-market strategies. By connecting emerging companies with valuable resources, AccelFoods aims to foster the creation of the next generation of enduring brands within the food and beverage ecosystem.
Plug and Play Tech Center, established in 2006, is a global innovation platform that connects startups, investors, and corporations. Based in Sunnyvale, California, with operations in 22 locations worldwide, the company runs 12 industry-specific accelerator programs twice a year, fostering collaboration between major corporations and high-quality startups. These programs span sectors such as Fintech, Insurtech, IoT, Brand & Retail, Mobility, and Health & Wellness, among others. Plug and Play invests in seed, angel, and Series A rounds, with a focus on great teams leading emerging growth companies. Since inception, their startup community has raised over $9 billion in venture funding, with notable success stories including Dropbox, PayPal, and LendingClub.
Unilever Ventures, established in 2002, is the venture capital and private equity arm of Unilever plc. Based in London with additional offices in Mumbai and San Francisco, it invests in early to late-stage companies and funds, primarily in Europe and the United States, with a focus on consumer-related sectors. These include home and personal care, digital media, e-commerce, consumer products, healthcare, and technology. The firm seeks minority stakes, typically investing between $0.5 million to $15 million, and may take a board seat or observer role in portfolio companies. Unilever Ventures provides access to Unilever's global ecosystem, assets, and expertise, aiming to accelerate the growth of promising startups in the consumer and digital spaces.
General Catalyst is a venture capital firm established in 2000, headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with additional offices in North America and Europe. The company specializes in early-stage and growth equity investments, focusing on technology-driven businesses. It invests across various sectors, including consumer internet, enterprise software, fintech, health assurance, and crypto. General Catalyst provides not only capital but also mentorship and resources to accelerate the growth of its portfolio companies. To date, it has managed eight venture capital funds, totaling approximately $3.75 billion in capital commitments.
Imaginary Ventures is a New York-based venture capital firm founded in 2017 by Natalie Massenet and Nick Brown. It makes early-stage investments at the intersection of retail and technology, with a focus on e-commerce, fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and related marketplaces in Europe and the United States. The firm backs consumer brands and platforms that leverage technology to transform shopping, product discovery, and omnichannel experiences. Its portfolio includes notable names such as Farfetch, Reformation, Everlane, Necessaire, Daily Harvest, Glossier, Good American, and Universal Standard.
DSM Venturing is the corporate venture capital arm of Royal DSM, established in 2001 and headquartered in Heerlen, Netherlands. The firm focuses on investing in start-up companies that develop innovative products and services within the life sciences sector, which encompasses both animal and human health and nutrition. Over the years, DSM Venturing has invested in more than fifty emerging companies across the United States, Europe, and Israel. Its primary objective is to generate strategic options and enhance value for DSM and its broader ecosystem while achieving sustainable venture-grade investment returns.
Brand Foundry Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2014 and based in Austin, Texas. It makes early-stage investments in companies serving the consumer and business sectors, supporting startups through initial rounds and helping them scale.
Founded in New York in 2010 by Craig Shapiro, Collaborative Fund is an investment firm focused on creative fields within technology and media. It invests based on the growth of the creative class and collaborative consumption.
Innovate UK is a non-departmental public body established in 2007 and based in Swindon, United Kingdom. Funded by a government grant, it supports innovation in science and technology by providing funding services to businesses across various sectors and regions. The organization aims to drive productivity and economic growth by facilitating advancements that contribute to the UK’s economic landscape. In addition to funding, Innovate UK offers a range of services and information related to business and economic development, thereby fostering a supportive environment for innovation.
Founded in 2009 and based in New York City, BoxGroup is an early-stage investment fund focusing on pre-seed to Series A rounds. It invests globally, with a primary focus on New York City, Silicon Valley, and Los Angeles. The firm typically allocates between $50,000 and $250,000 per investment across various sectors including consumer, enterprise, fintech, healthcare, life science, marketplace, synthetic biology, and climate.
Founded by Kevin Ryan, AlleyCorp is a startup studio and fund based in New York City. It originates ideas, forms founding teams, provides initial funding for 6-12 months, launches companies, and maintains leadership throughout their lifecycle. Notable companies founded include MongoDB, Business Insider, and Gilt Groupe. AlleyCorp also invests as the first seed investor in early-stage companies, with a focus on transformational ideas and supporting first-time founders.
HSG, formerly known as Sequoia Capital China, is a global venture capital and private equity firm, managing over USD 55 billion across various funds. Established in 2005, HSG invests in technology, healthcare, and consumer sectors, with a focus on seed, venture, growth, buyout, and infrastructure stages. The firm has backed over 1,500 companies, with more than 160 listed on public exchanges and over 140 achieving unicorn status. HSG operates globally, with offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, London, Tokyo, and Singapore, providing extensive resources and industry expertise to its portfolio companies.
Ajinomoto is a global manufacturer focused on seasonings, processed foods, beverages, amino acids, pharmaceuticals, and specialty chemicals. It applies amino acid technologies to support food resources, human health, and sustainable development, while producing consumer products such as dry soup mixes, frozen foods, and beverages and supplying monosodium glutamate and nucleotides to multinational food producers. The business is organized into three segments: Seasonings & Foods, Frozen Foods, and Health Care and Other, with the majority of revenue from Seasonings & Foods. The company also provides pharmaceutical ingredients, biopharmaceutical services, and functional materials, serving customers worldwide across food, nutrition, and health markets.
Joyance Partners is a San Francisco–based venture capital firm that backs early-stage startups in technology, health tech, consumer, internet, and mobile sectors across North America, Europe, and Asia. Founded in 2012, the firm focuses on science and technology that enhance wellbeing and everyday joy, supporting companies from pre-seed to Series A. It seeks opportunities in information technology and life sciences, with an emphasis on ESG and health-related impact. The firm aims to empower individuals to improve their health, independence, and fulfillment through innovative products and services.
Celsius Holdings is a food and beverage company that develops, markets, distributes, and sells functional calorie-burning fitness beverages and related products. Its brands include Celsius Originals, Celsius Essentials with amino acids, and On-the-Go packets, and it has expanded by acquiring the Alani Nu energy drinks and snacks portfolio. The company emphasizes natural ingredients and a metabolism-enhancing formulation aimed at fitness and active-lifestyle consumers. It largely relies on third-party manufacturing, packaging, and distribution and markets its products through direct-store delivery networks and retailers as well as health clubs, gyms, the military, and e-commerce. Founded in 2004 and based in Boca Raton, Florida, Celsius serves primarily the North American market.
Techstars is a global platform that invests in and supports early-stage technology companies. Founded in 2006, it operates a mentorship-driven accelerator program, providing seed funding, intensive mentorship, and access to a network of investors and entrepreneurs. Techstars has programs in various locations worldwide, including Boston, Boulder, New York, Seattle, London, Chicago, and Austin. It invests $118,000 in each company, with $18,000 in seed funding and an optional $100,000 convertible debt note. Techstars also has industry-specific accelerator programs, such as Techstars Retail and Techstars Music, focusing on retail and music technology, respectively. Its portfolio includes over 1,000 companies with a combined market cap of $8.1 billion.
Venture Catalysts is recognized as Asia's largest integrated incubator, established in 2016, which offers investments ranging from $500,000 to $2 million per startup, along with incubation support for 18 to 24 months. It has successfully incubated notable companies such as BharatPe, Fynd, and Innov8, which have emerged as leaders in their respective categories. With a robust network of over 4,500 angel investors across 36 cities in six countries, including India, Hong Kong, and the UAE, Venture Catalysts has attracted participation from prominent global investors like YCombinator and Greenoaks. The organization focuses on nurturing the startup ecosystem in Tier II and III cities in India, conducting incubation programs in locations such as Ahmedabad, Lucknow, and Surat, as well as major metros. In addition to providing seed and Series A funding, Venture Catalysts excels in startup development, strategic guidance, and investor education, ensuring substantial returns for its investors. Its leadership in the early-stage investment landscape is underscored by the successful fundraising of over ten incubatees in a challenging market environment, solidifying its reputation as a top early-stage investor in India.
Founded in Bengaluru, India in 2017, Fireside Ventures is a venture capital firm focusing on early-stage digital startups operating within the consumer products and services sectors across India.
Goodwater Capital, established in 2014 and headquartered in Burlingame, California, is a venture capital firm dedicated to empowering exceptional entrepreneurs globally. They focus on early-stage investments in consumer technology companies, aiming to solve pressing problems and transform the global economy. Their mission is to measurably improve billions of lives by supporting entrepreneurs who are building products and platforms that consumers love.
NB Ventures is a Dubai-based venture capital firm founded in 2016. It focuses on investing in early-stage companies across various sectors such as information technology, social impact, e-commerce, healthcare, hospitality, education, logistics, lifestyle, and retail within the GCC region.
Sapphire Sport I, established in 2019, is an early-stage venture capital fund managed by Sapphire Ventures, a global software-focused firm with over $11 billion in assets under management. Based in Austin, Texas, Sapphire Sport I invests in the United States, Europe, and Israel, targeting the intersection of sport, media, and entertainment technology. The fund, with a commitment of $115 million, aims to back 5 to 6 companies, investing between $3 to $7 million each, to address the broader sport technology markets.
Sugar Capital is a venture capital investment firm founded in 2020 and headquartered in San Francisco, California. The firm focuses on investing in brands and technologies that shape the future of commerce, targeting sectors such as consumer products and services, business products and services, e-commerce, and information technology. Sugar Capital aims to support innovative companies that are poised to make significant impacts in the financial services and technology landscapes.
Founded in 2019, Big Idea Ventures is a venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments in alternative protein companies. It focuses on plant-based food products and ingredients, as well as cell-based meats. The firm invests primarily in Asia and North America.
Bessemer Venture Partners, established in 1911, is a prominent venture capital firm headquartered in Redwood City, California, with a global presence. The firm invests in early-stage to growth-stage companies across various sectors, including software, TMT, healthcare, fintech, and consumer products. With a portfolio boasting successful companies like Pinterest, Shopify, Twilio, and Yelp, Bessemer Venture Partners has a proven track record in helping entrepreneurs build enduring companies. The firm manages multiple funds, totaling over $4 billion in assets, and provides support to founders from seed stage through to growth, fostering long-term relationships with its portfolio companies.
Alumni Ventures Group is a venture capital firm based in Manchester, New Hampshire, with offices across North America. It provides access to venture investing for individual accredited investors, particularly alumni networks, by offering diversified portfolios of venture opportunities and allowing members to invest alongside fellow alumni in ventures led by peers. The firm backs early-stage and later-stage opportunities across technology, consumer, healthcare, financial services, and other sectors, with a sector- and geography-agnostic approach. It typically invests between $10,000 and $3 million per deal and emphasizes the involvement of alumni connections and an institutional lead investor in opportunities. Alumni Ventures also offers focused funds to broaden participation, enabling accredited investors to access venture portfolios diversified by type, sector, stage, and geography. The model aims to democratize access to venture capital while maintaining rigorous selection standards through alumni networks.
Danone, a global leader in the food and beverage industry, operates in three key categories: Essential Dairy & Plant-Based products, Waters, and Specialized Nutrition. With a mission to bring health through food to consumers worldwide, Danone offers a diverse portfolio of brands, including Actimel, Activia, Alpro, evian, and Nutricia, among others. The company, which generated €27.6 billion in sales in 2023, has a strong presence in over 120 markets and employs nearly 90,000 people. Danone is committed to inspiring healthier and more sustainable practices, with a "Renew" strategy aimed at restoring growth and competitiveness. The company aims to achieve measurable nutritional, social, societal, and environmental impact, and is listed on Euronext Paris.
Novo Holdings, established in 1999, is a Danish asset management firm based in Copenhagen. It serves as the investment arm of the Novo Nordisk Foundation, managing its assets and wealth. The company's primary focus is the life science sector, with a diversified portfolio comprising equities, bonds, real estate, infrastructure, and private investments. Novo Holdings maintains a significant influence on Novo Nordisk A/S and Novozymes A/S, ensuring these companies align with the Novo Group's visions and values. It also invests in early and growth-stage life science companies through its venture capital arm, Novo Ventures, which targets investments ranging from USD 5 million to USD 30 million.
PeakBridge is a global venture capital firm based in Luxembourg, specializing in FoodTech investments. Founded in 2019, the firm focuses on funding early-stage to Series B companies that are pioneering scalable and protectable technologies aimed at transforming the food system with a strong emphasis on climate and health impact. With a network spanning seven countries, PeakBridge's team comprises seasoned experts in Agri-Food operational and financial experience, dedicated to supporting innovative entrepreneurs in the FoodTech sector. The firm manages three FoodTech funds with a total asset under management of 250 million and has invested in 26 portfolio companies worldwide across various verticals, including alternative protein, nutrition, and alternative farming. Additionally, PeakBridge is an official partner of EIT Food, the world’s largest Agri-Food innovation initiative, further solidifying its commitment to driving positive change in the food industry.
Index Ventures, established in 1996, is a global venture capital firm with offices in London, San Francisco, and Geneva. The company invests in early and growth-stage technology startups, focusing on sectors such as software, artificial intelligence, machine learning, fintech, healthcare, and mobility. Index Ventures has a proven track record of backing successful companies like Adyen, Deliveroo, Dropbox, Farfetch, King, Slack, and Supercell. The firm's investment strategy is to support bold entrepreneurs with transformative ideas, helping them build global businesses.
CircleUp is a San Francisco-based company established in 2012, operating an online platform that connects early-stage consumer and retail brands with accredited investors. The platform facilitates capital raising and provides resources to these companies, enabling them to grow and scale. CircleUp's proprietary machine learning platform, Helio, evaluates and predicts the potential success of over 1.3 million consumer businesses, aiding in the discovery and selection of promising investment opportunities.
Right Side Capital Management, established in 2010, is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm that specializes in early-stage technology investments. It focuses on funding pre-seed rounds, making 75-100 investments annually in startups outside major tech hubs, with pre-money valuations typically ranging from $1M to $3M. The firm prefers capital-efficient businesses and aims to provide a swift investment decision, usually within two weeks. Since 2012, RSCM has invested in approximately 200 companies across 19 U.S. states and several international locations, including Canada, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, and Western Europe.
MassChallenge is a global nonprofit startup accelerator headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, established in 2009. It supports early-stage entrepreneurs across various industries, including technology, healthcare, and social impact, by providing mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities. With locations in Israel, Mexico, Switzerland, Texas, and the UK, MassChallenge connects high-potential startups with industry experts and investors to foster innovation and facilitate growth. The accelerator operates on a non-equity model, allowing entrepreneurs to maintain full ownership of their companies while benefiting from strategic partnerships and tailored training programs. Through its diverse initiatives, such as targeted accelerator programs like MassChallenge HealthTech and FinTech, the organization aims to drive impactful change and enhance the global innovation ecosystem.
Ascendis Health Limited is a health and wellness company based in Johannesburg, South Africa, that manufactures and distributes a wide range of healthcare products. Founded in 2008, the company operates through five segments: Consumer Health, Pharma, Medical, Animal Health, and Biosciences. Its product offerings include body and skin care items, over-the-counter medicines, complementary and alternative consumer products, as well as medical devices and consumables. Ascendis Health also has a significant presence in the pharmaceutical sector, with divisions focused on generic medicine manufacturing and distribution, particularly in Africa and Europe. The company exports its products to approximately 171 countries, leveraging recognized trademarks and a diverse portfolio to serve both human and animal health markets.
Kairos HQ, established in 2008, is a New York-based venture capital firm that focuses on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among the next generation. It operates through two key initiatives: The Kairos Society, a global community of over 5,000 individuals from 50 countries and 100 universities, dedicated to solving the world's biggest problems through entrepreneurship; and K50 Ventures, an early-stage investment arm that backs mission-driven companies in healthcare, finance, and technology sectors, aiming to make these industries more affordable and accessible. Kairos HQ has supported over 140 companies to date, with a collective market cap exceeding $2.5 billion.
Founded in 2001, Hoche Partners is an international group serving family offices and mid-sized businesses with high growth potential. They offer Advisory Services, Private Equity investments focusing on logistics, transportation, leisure, energy sectors, and Real Estate.
Founded in 2018, RPSG Capital Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Gurugram, India. It invests in consumer-focused companies operating within the food & beverage, personal care, and lifestyle goods sectors.
Founded in 2018, Coefficient Capital is a New York-based growth equity firm focusing on consumer brands. It invests in high-growth brands that bridge the physical and digital worlds, offering capital, expertise, connections, and proprietary brand tools to support businesses.
Rocana Venture Partners is a venture capital firm based in Miami, Florida, that focuses on early-stage investments in consumer brands. The firm targets consumer packaged goods across food and beverage and product areas such as beauty and personal care, wellness, pet care, fitness, and fashion/apparel, prioritizing disruptive, mission-driven brands with strong growth potential. Rocana supports portfolio companies through early development and scale as they pursue expanded market presence and better living options for consumers.
Mumbai Angels is an early-stage venture capital firm and angel investment network based in Mumbai, India. Founded in 2006, it serves as a platform for startups to connect with larger corporations and financial investors, helping incubated ventures grow and scale.
Korea Investment Partners is a prominent venture capital and private equity firm based in Seoul, South Korea, with over 30 years of experience in the investment sector. Founded in 1986, the firm focuses on supporting bold and innovative entrepreneurs across various industries, including biotechnology, healthcare, interactive content, media, consumer internet, financial technology, information and communication technology, digitalization, semiconductor, and industrial sectors. Korea Investment Partners has established a strong track record by investing in notable companies such as Kakao, Naver, YG Entertainment, Bodyfriend, and Didi Chuxing. The firm manages more than 20 venture and private equity funds, with total assets under management amounting to approximately $1.8 billion. In addition to its headquarters in Seoul, Korea Investment Partners has offices in Shanghai, Beijing, and Sunnyvale, allowing it to operate on a global scale.