Ambienta, a leader in sustainability-focused investment, has acquired a majority stake in the Italian plant-based dairy company, The Bridge, from its founders, the Negro Marcigaglia family. This strategic move highlights the growing interest in the food and beverage industry trends toward plant-based alternatives.
While the financial specifics of the deal remain undisclosed, it reflects Ambienta’s commitment to advancing sustainability in the food and drink business. As part of this acquisition, the Negro Marcigaglia family will reinvest alongside The Bridge’s new owner, ensuring their continued involvement in driving the company’s growth.
Founded in 1994, The Bridge specializes in the production of plant-based drinks, yoghurts, and desserts, manufacturing its products in-house from its base in San Pietro Mussolino, near Vicenza. Notably, the company’s offerings are “100% vegan, cholesterol- and lactose-free,” catering to the evolving food and drink consumer trends that favor healthier, sustainable options.
The brand markets its products both under its own name and through private-label agreements, with approximately 80% of its revenue generated from international sales. Paolo Negro Marcigaglia, a shareholder of The Bridge, stated: “Over the years, we have built a company rooted in quality, innovation and respect for the environment. In Ambienta, we found a like-minded partner to support and accelerate our expansion, strengthen our organization, and continue investing in innovation to capture the significant opportunities ahead in the plant-based sector.”
Since 2017, Ambienta has been exploring opportunities within plant-based foods, previously investing in flavor development company Nactarome in 2018. This latest investment is the second for Ambienta under its Small Cap Fund, following their initial investment in the water treatment company P.I.Eco.
Ambienta believes The Bridge is poised for further expansion both in Italy and globally, through organic growth and targeted acquisitions. The firm is committed to supporting the company’s aim of becoming a leading player in the plant-based sector.
Francesco Lodrini, a partner at Ambienta, remarked: “We are proud to announce our investment in The Bridge. Food production is one of the most critical areas in the transition to a more sustainable economy, and plant-based alternatives play a key role in reducing the environmental footprint of the agrifood value chain. This second investment for Ambienta Small Cap in a short timeframe exemplifies our strategy: leveraging our capabilities and network to aid smaller companies in seizing growth opportunities driven by environmental trends.”