V2Food, an Australian alt-meat company, has successfully acquired US-based Daring Foods while also forging a strategic partnership with the renowned Japanese food giant, Ajinomoto.
This acquisition allows V2Food to expand into the US market, with Daring Foods continuing to operate under its own brand. Notably, it will serve as a pivotal platform for V2Food to introduce its innovative product lines.
In addition, V2Food has outlined its commitment to collaborate with Ajinomoto on initiatives across Africa and emerging Asian markets.
Tim York, the CEO of V2Food, stated, “For several years, V2Food has been the number one plant-based meat company in Australia. By acquiring Daring, we are excited to introduce our world-class product range into the USA market.”
York assumed leadership of V2Food in 2023, following the departure of former CEO Nick Hazell. Launched in 2019, V2Food received investment from industry leaders, including Hungry Jack’s founder Jack Cowin, Australia’s national science agency CSIRO, and Main Sequence Ventures.
Tim York further emphasized, “By merging our technological capabilities with Ajinomoto’s global scale and expertise in food science, alongside Daring’s proven market success, we’re establishing a robust platform for sustainable nutrition without compromising on taste or quality.”
Daring Foods, founded in 2018 in Scotland by Ross Mackay and Elliott Kessas, relocated its headquarters to the US and officially launched there in 2020. Notably, Mackay, the former CEO, left the company last year.
Daring Foods specializes in a variety of plain, flavored, and breaded plant-based chicken pieces, wings, patties, and even alt-chicken ready meals.
Jeffrey Gendelman, the CEO of Daring Foods, remarked, “Together, we see an opportunity to shape the future of our space in a way none of us could have achieved alone.”
He continued, “With V2Food’s technology platform and Ajinomoto Co.’s expertise supporting us, we are in the best position yet to deliver on our consumer promise at both pace and scale.”
Both V2Food and Ajinomoto anticipate that their collaboration will facilitate the rapid scaling of plant-based solutions to meet the increasing global demand for sustainable protein alternatives using Ajinomoto’s extensive infrastructure.
Ajinomoto’s President and CEO, Shigeo Nakamura, stated, “Our ‘Eat Well, Live Well’ philosophy aligns perfectly with V2Food’s vision to develop next-generation food solutions that meet rising consumer demand for sustainable, nutritious alternatives.”
