Danone Invests 10 Million Dollars In Vegan Superfoods Brand

Vegan brand Laird Superfood announced that it closed a $10 million investment round. 

The funding was provided by Danone Manifesto Ventures —the investment branch of food giant Danone. 

Laird Superfoods was founded in 2015 by entrepreneur Paul Hodge, a professional surfer Laird Hamilton and his wife Gabby Reece a former volleyball player. The company aims to make pure superfoods more accessible to the masses.

Laird Superfood range includes vegan coconut coffee creamers, functional mushroom blends, hydrate coconut waters, coffees and coconut sugars. The products are available in more than 4,000 stores across the US. 

The company will use the funding to expand the range into other categories and to enlarge manufacturing capacity. 

 "I'm so grateful to have such a strong, philosophically aligned partner like DMV on board as we look at developing the next phase of delicious, innovative, plant-based products for all to enjoy," Hamilton said.

CEO Laurent Marcel said in a statement: "Laird Superfood is a powerful brand with a unique story, and we are excited about our ability to seal this partnership, particularly in the current global environment."

"We believe it will result in future success with a foundation of mutual trust and shared values."

"Through our time with Paul [Hodge, the CEO], Laird and the leadership team, we have developed a deep conviction in Laird Superfood's culture and its understanding of the needs of today's consumer. Superfood's commitment to a healthy lifestyle and the quality of their functional products and ingredients will continue to appeal to consumers and retailers."

Danone Manifesto Ventures has been building a portfolio of innovative brands that that encourage healthier eating and drinking.

Since 2016 Danone has bought Good Plants and WhiteWave Foods—the owner of vegan brands Silk, So Delicious, Vega, and Alpro. The group has also invested in alternative protein manufacturer Sustainable Bioproducts; coconut desserts brand Harmless Harvest, and organic plant-based foods and beverages producer Forager Project.