While foodtech startups feel the crunch of the current downturn, fundraising in agtech and alternative protein keeps coming.
Also: Israeli foodtech startup Phytolon landed $14.5 million, and two food delivery firms were raided by EU authorities over antitrust concerns.
Elsewhere, e-grocer Ocado raised $700 million from the public markets.
Elsewhere, US ag robotics specialist FarmWise teased a new weeding implement along with its latest fundraise.
Multiple restaurant tech startups made headlines this week; while a massive, multinational carbon initiative got off the ground in Africa.
Alt-protein producers raised several early-stage rounds for meat and dairy alternatives, while two more countries approved the sale of GMO wheat.
“Instant delivery” e-grocer Zepto got closer to unicorn status with its Series D round, while VitroLabs raised funds for its cell-cultured animal leather.
UAE restaurant platform Foodics is expanding overseas, while Saudi Arabia-based Red Sea Farms will take its indoor farming tech global.
Elsewhere, the Gates Foundation and Qatar’s development fund pledged $200 million to help African smallholders with climate change adaptation.
Beewise aims to save the world’s bee population with robotic beehives; while Arzeda creates enzymes for use in food, personal, and homecare products.
Over in the US, meanwhile, The Every Company launched the world’s first chickenless egg white.
Elsewhere, Plantish scored $12 million for plant-based fish – and Mzansi Meat unveiled ‘Africa’s first’ cultivated beef burger.
Clean Crop Technologies closed a round for crop protection tools and Protenga nabbed capital for its insect farming operations.
Starship’s delivery bots move into new markets, Source.ag aims to make greenhouses smarter, and cultivated meat arrives at Singapore’s hawker stalls.
Vertical farming and alt-protein saw sizable financings this week, with companies like GrowUp Farms, Novameat, and Wildtype closing significant rounds.
Premium Branded Foods remained one of India’s most active categories, despite a pandemic-related slowdown.
Equip scored $58 million while Tindle parent company Next Gen Foods raised the largest Series A round to date for plant-based protein.
Protix bagged big bucks this week for its insect protein; while Cooks Venture secured capital to breed slower-growing chickens.
Meanwhile, it has been forecast that the plant-based protein sector needs to invest $27 billion in production capacity by 2030 to meet demand.
Three of the biggest funding rounds announced in the last week involved on-demand food and grocery delivery startups from various countries.
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