Introduction
From plant-based proteins to precision fermentation, the food and beverage world is experiencing a deep tech revival. Consumers are no longer satisfied with convenience; they’re demanding sustainability, health, and innovation on the same plate.
Startups are answering that call — not with slogans, but with science. Whether it’s clean-label alternatives, new-age nutrition, or hyper-personalized beverages, these brands are not just selling taste — they’re engineering the next generation of food systems.
Here are 10 food and beverage startups that secured major funding in 2025 and are now redefining what we eat, drink, and crave.
1. NotCo (Chile / USA) — “AI meets food innovation”
Founder(s): Matías Muchnick, Karim Pichara, Pablo ZamoraFunding & Investors: Raised $70M in Series D+ from Princeville Capital, Jeff Bezos’ Bezos Expeditions, and Tiger Global.What they do: NotCo uses AI (“Giuseppe”) to recreate animal-based foods from plants — from milk to mayonnaise.Next moves: Expanding co-manufacturing partnerships in the U.S. and launching B2B licensing for food producers globally.
2. Perfect Day (USA) — “Dairy without the cow”
Founder(s): Ryan Pandya, Perumal GandhiFunding & Investors: Total funding $750M+, backed by Temasek, Horizons Ventures, and CPP Investments.What they do: Precision fermentation to create real dairy proteins without livestock.Next moves: Scaling its ingredients arm “nth Bio” and entering new markets in Asia and the Middle East.
3. Eat Just (USA) — “The future of eggs and meat”
Founder(s): Josh Tetrick, Josh BalkFunding & Investors: Raised over $465M, investors include Qatar Investment Authority, Charlesbank Capital, and Vulcan Capital.What they do: Plant-based eggs (JUST Egg) and cultivated chicken (GOOD Meat) now available in multiple global markets.Next moves: Regulatory expansion for cultivated meat in Europe and MENA, and developing hybrid meat formulations.
4. Meati Foods (USA) — “The mushroom-based protein wave”
Founder(s): Tyler Huggins, Justin WhiteleyFunding & Investors: Raised $150M Series C led by Revolution Growth, with Cultivate Next and Grosvenor Food & AgTech.What they do: Uses mycelium — mushroom roots — to produce whole-cut meat alternatives.Next moves: National retail rollout in the U.S. and commercial scaling to foodservice chains.
5. Planted Foods (Switzerland) — “Clean protein with minimal processing”
Founder(s): Pascal Bieri, Christoph Jenny, Lukas Böni, Eric StirnemannFunding & Investors: Raised $90M Series B from L Catterton, Vorwerk Ventures, and ETF Partners.What they do: Develops structured plant-based proteins using natural fermentation and extrusion tech.Next moves: Expanding production facilities in Europe and entering the Middle East market.
6. Oatly (Sweden) — “Oat-based dairy pioneer rebooting for scale”
Founder(s): Rickard Öste, Björn ÖsteFunding & Investors: Raised $425M pre-IPO from Blackstone, Oprah Winfrey, and Jay-Z’s Marcy Venture Partners.What they do: The oat milk brand that ignited the alt-dairy movement, now pivoting toward sustainable manufacturing and direct retail.Next moves: Revamping global operations post-IPO, increasing production efficiency, and investing in low-carbon logistics.
7. Remilk (Israel) — “Animal-free dairy with industrial scale”
Founder(s): Aviv Wolff, Ori CohaviFunding & Investors: Raised $120M in Series B led by Hanaco Ventures, with Insight Partners and CPT Capital.What they do: Precision fermentation dairy producer making casein and whey identical to animal proteins.Next moves: Open large-scale production facility in Denmark and accelerate regulatory clearance in Asia.
8. Future Farm (Brazil) — “Plant-based meats with a tropical flair”
Founder(s): Marcos Leta, Alfredo StrechinskyFunding & Investors: Raised $58M in Series C from BTG Pactual and Rage Capital.What they do: Plant-based burger and sausage brand focused on Latin and European markets.Next moves: Expand frozen product lines and explore entry into ready-to-eat meal kits.
9. Better Juice (Israel) — “Sugar reduction without flavor loss”
Founder(s): Gali Yarom, Eran BlachinskyFunding & Investors: Raised $8M in Series A from iAngels, Maverick Ventures Israel, and FoodTech Lab.What they do: Enzymatic process that reduces natural sugars in fruit juices without altering taste or nutrition.Next moves: Partnering with global juice brands and expanding production capacity for industrial clients.
10. Liquid Death (USA) — “The most rebellious water brand on Earth”
Founder(s): Mike CessarioFunding & Investors: Raised $67M in Series D led by Science Inc., with Live Nation and Steve Aoki.What they do: Canned mountain water marketed like a rock band — sustainability meets counter-culture.Next moves: Expanding to energy drinks, sparkling variants, and global markets including Japan and the UAE.
How to Spot the Next Food & Beverage Leader
If you look closely, every one of these startups shares three traits:
Transparency over hype: They publish science, not just taglines.Distribution mastery: They think globally from day one.Tech meets taste: Their products taste great and solve real environmental or nutritional issues.
For investors, suppliers, and retailers, this is where the action is — scaling food innovation that feeds billions sustainably.
Final Thoughts
The next decade of food will belong to companies that balance science, culture, and storytelling. Funding gives them the runway, but branding and scale will define their legacy.
At McArrows, we help such companies translate vision into velocity — from product positioning and digital storytelling to market expansion strategy. If you’re building the next big name in food or beverages and want to amplify your reach, now’s the time to connect.
Let’s make your innovation the one the world tastes next.
