Vegan brand Abott’s Butcher has just completed its Series A funding round led by Melitas Ventures with the participation of celebrity investors Owen Wilson and Woody and Laura Harrelson. Founded in 2017 by animal rights activist Kerry Song, Abott’s Butcher makes vegan, soy-free and nut-free meats such as chicken, beef and chorizo from pea protein, vegetables, herbs. , spices, extra virgin olive oil and vinegars.
“We are reframe the conversation around plant proteins. Where it’s not just about taste and mouthfeel, it’s about quality and celebrating the power of exceptional ingredients, showing that food can be both healing and satisfying, ”Song said. in a press release. “We are fortunate to have such exceptional investors who share this mission.
In October 2019, Abbot’s Butcher’s vegan chicken made its debut at 31 locations across the Tender Greens restaurant chain. The brand is currently distributed through 800 retail and food service outlets nationwide and its Series A funding will be used to increase its distribution and new product development. “Abbot’s Butcher is paving the way for the next generation of plant-based meat substitutes. The company’s products occupy a unique position as premium plant-based meat substitutes that are garnering strong interest from grocery stores and foodservices, ”said Alex Malamatinas, Managing Partner of Melitas, in a statement. communicated. “We are excited to partner with butcher shop and Abbot Founder and CEO, Kerry Song, as the brand expands to a nationwide staple in the United States. “
Celebrities invest in the future of meatless eating
Through their investment in vegan meat, Wilson and the Harrelsons (both longtime vegans) are supporting a future without animal exploitation for the benefit of human, animal and planetary health and many of their famous peers are also on board. . .
In May, musical artist Drake – who quit meat in 2018 – participated in a $ 40 million Series B fundraising round for Daring Foods, a company that makes lifelike vegan chicken that shreds like the real thing. . Fellow musician Snoop Dogg is a seasoned plant investor and an early supporter of vegan meat brand Beyond Meat. Snoop and NBA star JaVale McGee are also investors in Outstanding Foods, which makes vegan bacon snacks.
Music mogul Jay-Z has also been an active supporter of plant-based meat for some time. In June, through his investment firm Marcy Venture Partners, Jay-Z helped plant-based chicken startup SIMULATE close a $ 50 million funding round, bringing its total fundraising to $ 250 million.
Through his venture capital arm Electric Feel Ventures, rapper Post Malone recently became an investor in Actual Veggies. As the name suggests, the company makes vegan meat substitutes from “real vegetables” such as black beans, sweet potatoes and green vegetables.
Celebrities help grow meat to the next level
It’s not just vegan meat that draws celebrity capital. Many celebrity investors are now looking to support the growth of cell farming, which aims to replace antiquated methods of animal husbandry with technology that only requires a few animal cells to produce an abundance of meat. It is a process that uses far fewer resources than traditional animal farming and eliminates the need to slaughter animals for food.
Actor and environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio has been a strong supporter of the vegan meat brand Beyond Meat and entered the cell-based meat business in September with an investment in Aleph Farms and Mosa Meat, two companies that grow beef directly from animal cells. This month, actor and investment guru Ashton Kutcher also got a head start on the cellular farming industry by investing in MeaTech, which 3D prints whole cuts of meat made from cells. such as structured beef, pork and chicken, as well as minced meat without animals. .
“One of the most effective ways to tackle the climate crisis is to transform our food system,” DiCaprio said in a statement about his investment. “Mosa Meat and Aleph Farms offer new ways to meet global demand for beef, while solving some of the most pressing problems in today’s industrial beef production. I am very happy to join them as an advisor and investor as they prepare to introduce farmed beef to consumers.
To learn more about celebrity-backed vegan brands, read:
Rihanna invests in Vegan Cookie Company
Questlove and Lewis Hamilton join $ 235 million investment in vegan brand
Ellen Degeneres and Portia De Rossi invest in vegan brand Miyoko’s
Anna Starostinetskaya is the Senior News Editor at VegNews and always monitors all things vegan in her hometown of San Francisco, California and everywhere else.
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