Berlin/Potsdam-based palm leaf specialist LEEF, a prominent provider of eco-friendly tableware and takeaway packaging derived from palm leaves, has now acquired the sustainable packaging startup Wisefood.
Wisefood gained significant attention in 2018 after appearing on “Die Höhle der Löwen,” the German equivalent of the popular reality TV shows known as Dragons’ Den or Shark Tank. During this appearance, the company showcased its innovative edible drinking straws. Based in Garching/Munich, Wisefood has also pioneered edible cups and offers a range of sustainable disposable tableware. Their products have reached millions of consumers, available at major retailers including ALDI and EDEKA, as well as at wholesalers like METRO and TRANSGOURMET.
Within just two years of its establishment, Wisefood was already reporting six-figure profits and achieving a seven-figure annual turnover. The recent financing round in 2021 valued the company at over €5 million. Furthermore, Wisefood has built a rapidly expanding e-commerce platform and serves as a digital wholesaler catering to clients in the hotel, restaurant, and café (HoReCa) sector, alongside servicing well-known clients in catering and retail industries. Plans for expansion across Europe and further product developments are currently in progress.
“We have been collaborating successfully with LEEF for several years in the field of palm leaf products. This cooperation has always been enjoyable, and we are confident that we have found the perfect buyer in LEEF,” asserts Philipp Silbernagel, founder and managing director of Wisefood.
“We are excited to welcome Wisefood to the LEEF Group. There is a strong demand for sustainable food and drink packaging among restaurants and consumers. This acquisition will facilitate the rapid opening of new sales channels in retail and e-commerce, while also enabling us to develop a second robust brand,” states Claudio Fritz-Vietta, Managing Director of LEEF Holding.
Jens Christoph, Second Managing Director of LEEF Holding, emphasizes: “This acquisition presents new opportunities for us to jointly create eco-friendly solutions that inspire our customers and protect the environment. It will significantly boost the total turnover of the LEEF Group this year and enable us to sustain our growth trajectory. We plan to merge the two operating companies in 2025 to fully leverage the synergies. At the same time, we are preparing to launch another financing round.”
