Joyful Ventures Launches $23 Million Fund to Propel Sustainable Protein Sector
The new climate venture fund aims to catalyze the $1.5 trillion animal protein industry towards sustainable food solutions
Joyful Ventures co-founders from left: Blaine Vess, Jennifer Stojkovic, Milo Runkle
PHOTO CREDIT: PRNewsfoto/Joyful Ventures
VC newcomer Joyful Ventures announced, via Bloomberg News, the successful closing of $23M of their $25M sustainable protein fund. As the industry's only LGBTQ-and woman-led firm, Joyful Ventures is dedicated to building the next generation of the industry's game-changing companies.
The fund announcement comes on the heels of the landmark USDA approval of cell-cultivated meat to US consumers last week.
Joyful Ventures, led by partners Milo Runkle, Jennifer Stojkovic, and Blaine Vess, carries a wealth of expertise in the alternative protein sector, entrepreneurship, and investment. The fund will focus on disruptive early stage startups working in all aspects of sustainable and regenerative protein solutions, including plant-based, precision fermentation, mycoproteins, molecular agriculture, and cultivated technologies, with a strong focus on B2B.
Runkle, Stojkovic, and Vess bring more than 40 years of industry experience. Runkle, Mercy For Animals founder and co-founder of New Crop Capital and The Good Food Institute, has dedicated his career to advocating for food system reform. Stojkovic, Vegan Women Summit founder and award-winning author, serves as advisor and board member to the industry's biggest plant-based brands. Vess, a seasoned entrepreneur and investor in 50+ startups, has a proven track record in successful exits.
"The future is full of world-changing sustainable protein companies whose founders face critical challenges in early stages," said Vess.
Joyful Ventures has already invested in two start-ups. Orbillion Bio, based in San Francisco, has a proprietary full stack approach to cultivated meat, while New School Foods, based in Toronto, is utilizing a unique muscle fiber and scaffolding platform to create plant-based seafood alternatives to traditional fish.
"We are not just investing in companies; we are investing in global transformation," Runkle states. "We are proud to champion entrepreneurs forging a future where nutritious, sustainable food is universally accessible."
The Joyful Ventures team offers a compelling value proposition for the climate crisis. A recent Boston Consulting Group study found that investing in plant-based protein is eleven times more impactful than EVs, four times more impactful than green building, and three times more impactful than decarbonizing cement.
"Rather than trying to capture the carbon, methane, and nitrogen that we're creating, let's prevent it from happening by changing what is on our plates," said Stojkovic. "If you are investing in climate, and you want real, scalable solutions, there's nothing better than food."
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