Investor event to find funds for functional ingredients

Organized by Nutritional Capital Network (NCN), the forum follows on from similar events that have attracted investors such as Nestlé, Coca-Cola, General Mills, Tate & Lyle, Martek and DSM.

The meetings work by allowing around 10 small companies in the nutrition field to give 15-minute presentations to an audience of potential investors. Presenting companies are screened and selected by NCN from a list of applicants.

NCN has so far organized four investor forums, with a fifth scheduled to take place in San Francisco in October. The SupplySide West meeting will take place in Las Vegas on November 11, one day before the start of the year’s biggest nutrition industry trade show.

Finding partners​

According to Ellen Schutt, a NCN principal, this is the first of the investor meetings to focus on ingredients. Presenters will be: Suppliers of ingredients for supplements or functional foods; developers of technology or science related to nutrition and human health; and suppliers of products or services related to nutrition, nutrition science or health and wellness.

“We’re really looking at bringing together smalls entrepreneurs with investors interested in opportunities throughout the supply chain,”​ Schutt told NutraIngredients-USA.com.

Application process​

The application process for companies wishing to present at the meeting is just kicking off, said Schutt. Companies can complete the application for free, and all applicants receive feedback from the selection committee. Those that are chosen to present must pay a registration fee of $700.

The events are typically attended by around 40-60 potential investors and partners, and include opportunities for networking or private meetings.

Although some interest has been expressed both on the presenter and investor side, Schutt said participants are yet to be confirmed. Potential investors are likely to include private equity funds, venture capital firms, angel investors and the venture, corporate development or innovation groups of large consumer product, food and pharmaceutical supply companies.

For more information or to apply for the event, click here.