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Edonia Grabs €2m To Turn Microalgae Into Less Bitter-Tasting Ground Meat Alternative

RΓ©my Cointreau FY sales fall by nearly 20%

FX Matt Acquires ’Merican Mule Canned Cocktails

L Catterton Acquires Majority Stake in KIKO Milano from Percassi Family

KEY Launches All-Natural Energy Drink Powered by Ketones to Revolutionize Beverages

Edonia Grabs €2m To Turn Microalgae Into Less Bitter-Tasting Ground Meat Alternative

Apr 25, 2024, Tech Crunch

Paris-based startup Edonia, backed by €2 million, pioneers microalgae-based protein ingredients to address global food needs. Led by CEO Hugo Valentin, Edonia aims to revolutionize protein sources with their innovative "edonization" process, enhancing taste and texture, making microalgae more palatable. Their flagship product, Edo-1, offers an umami-like flavor, resembling ground meat, with higher protein content and fewer emissions compared to traditional alternatives. Valentin plans to scale production for a broader market by partnering with food manufacturers, targeting European launch this year, then expanding globally. The investment, led by Asterion Ventures, fuels R&D and pilot plant development. Edonia's vision extends beyond meat alternatives, aiming to enrich various food products while prioritizing sustainability and taste. πŸŒ±πŸ”πŸ’‘

RΓ©my Cointreau FY sales fall by nearly 20%

Apr 26, 2024, The Spirit Business 

French firm RΓ©my Cointreau reported a 19.2% sales decline for the year ending March 2024, totaling €1.19 billion. Despite a full-year setback for Remy Martin XO Cognac, it saw growth in the final quarter. Compared to pre-pandemic levels, sales increased by 16.2%. Sales in APAC and EMEA grew by 2% and 0.7% respectively, but the Americas saw a 39.6% decline. Cognac sales fell by 25.1% but rose by 5.8% compared to FY2019-20. Liqueurs and spirits declined by 4.6% for the year, with a significant drop of 27% in Q4. The firm focuses on cost-cutting to maintain profitability, targeting €100m in savings for the year. πŸ“‰πŸ’ΌπŸ₯ƒ`

FX Matt Acquires ’Merican Mule Canned Cocktails

Apr 26, 2024, Brew Bound

FX Matt Brewing Company (Saranac beers) scored a hit with the acquisition of 'Merican Mule, a brand known for its canned, ready-to-drink (RTD) Moscow Mules. This strategic move expands FX Matt's reach into the rapidly growing RTD market, a sector poised for continued explosion. 'Merican Mule's diverse offerings, including variations beyond the classic vodka drink, cater to a wider audience. With FX Matt's extensive distribution network, 'Merican Mule cocktails are set to hit shelves nationwide, significantly boosting their brand presence. This acquisition further strengthens FX Matt's position as a beverage industry leader, constantly innovating to meet consumer demands.

L Catterton Acquires Majority Stake in KIKO Milano from Percassi Family

Apr 26, 2024, PR Newswire 

L Catterton, a global consumer-focused investment firm, has secured a majority stake in Italian beauty brand KIKO Milano from the Percassi Family, who will retain a significant share. KIKO, founded in 1997, boasts a vast network of 1,100+ stores across 66 countries and strong e-commerce. With Euro 800 million in 2023 revenue, it's known for quality products at accessible prices. L Catterton aims to leverage KIKO's global appeal for further expansion, emphasizing an omnichannel strategy and potential U.S. market entry. KIKO's CEO, Simone Dominici, anticipates growth with L Catterton's expertise. The deal underscores L Catterton's prowess in beauty investments. Legal assistance came from Bonelli Erede and advisors like BofA Securities. πŸ’„πŸŒ

KEY Launches All-Natural Energy Drink Powered by Ketones to Revolutionize Beverages

Apr 24, 2024, PR Newswire

KEY, an all-natural energy drink founded by former executives of Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, Karishma Thawani and Tekla Back, aims to revolutionize the $62B energy drink market with ketones. Unlike traditional energy drinks, KEY offers a clean alternative without sugar or caffeine, promising long-lasting energy and mental focus.

KEY's debut collection features the following flavors with all-natural ingredients:

  • Pineapple Passionfruit ($3.75) -  Rejuvenate with tropical pineapple and ripe passionfruit

  • Grapefruit Peach ($3.75) -  revitalize with refreshing grapefruit and juicy peach

  • Ginger Lime ($3.75) -  invigorate with spicy ginger and citrusy lime

Backed by a $4M seed round led by AgFunder, KEY plans strategic retail distribution and marketing efforts. With flavors like Pineapple Passionfruit, Grapefruit Peach, and Ginger Lime, each beverage contains natural ketones made through fermentation. Manuel Gonzalez from AgFunder praises KEY's natural approach, emphasizing the founders' market fit. The brand will launch through direct-to-consumer channels, Amazon, and select retailers, blending online community building with traditional retail strategies for rapid growth. πŸš€πŸ₯€

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