LIVEKINDLY Collective Expands Its Brand Portfolio With The Acquisition Of The Dutch Weed Burger

LIVEKINDLY Collective is on the way to become one of the world’s largest plant-based food companies. 

On the World Ocean Day the group announced an agreement to acquire The Dutch Weed Burger, an Amsterdam-based brand that uses seaweed as its hero ingredient. 

By adding The Dutch Weed Burger to LIVEKINDLY Collective, the company expands its plant-based portfolio with seaweed, a high-quality source of protein cultivated using minimal fresh water and no agricultural land. Additionally, this proposed acquisition will help the company scale internationally in the UK and Nordics, two key markets in Europe, as well as in the US and Canada, and eventually into Asia.

In a statement sent to TheVeganKind, CEO and Chairman of LIVEKINDLY Collective Kees Kruythoff said: “Innovation in plant-based protein has created a tremendous opportunity to transform the global food system, as consumers increasingly demand tasty and nutritious alternatives to meat.” 

“With the addition of The Dutch Weed Burger, we expand the types of plant-based protein we can offer our consumers in more than 40 countries and accelerate our mission to make plant-based living the new norm.”

The Dutch Weed Burger was founded in 2012 by Lisette Kreischer and Mark Kulsdom, as a spin off from their eponymous documentary, shot mostly in New York City, in which they search for the best recipes to bring seaweed to the mainstream public. The first Dutch Weed Burgers were sold from a pushbike in the streets of Amsterdam and it became an instant hit. 

Mark Kulsdom, CEO and Founder of The Dutch Weed Burger said:  “We are so excited to join these driven, experienced and passionate leaders who are going to help scale our brand and change the food culture around the globe.”

He added: “Seaweed farming is highly sustainable because it grows profusely in the ocean and it breathes out oxygen while it grows. The plant is nutrient-rich and healthy while bringing a unique umami flavour to people’s taste buds. These ocean greens mix perfectly with protein-rich beans and other innovative textures we use. I am looking forward to work within the Collective, because the time for real change is imminent and more urgent than ever!” 

LIVEKINDLY Collective believe that plant-based alternatives have the power to make the global food system sustainable. The company brings together founders, entrepreneurs and global business leaders to create a robust ecosystem of plant-based brands, including Oumph!, The Fry Family Food Co., LikeMeat, No Meat and LIVEKINDLY, a digital media platform. The company recently closed a growth funding round, bringing the total of funding received in its first 12 months to $535 million.