In case you’ve been seeing a slew of recent various meat and animal merchandise popping up in your grocery retailer, Lisa Feria is at the very least partially to thank.
Feria has spent the final seven years investing in startups within the sector. She and her companions at Stray Canine Capital have invested in over 40 corporations, from the well-established Past Meat to up-and-comers No Evil Meals, Kite Hill and Yo! Egg.
Based mostly in Leawood, Kansas, the agency has been round since 2015. Feria, who’s CEO and managing associate, has seen a lot of the ups and downs.
Just lately, the massive names have been struggling: Past Meat’s share worth slid 80% over the previous 12 months. Milk various maker Oatly has been beset with manufacturing woes. And shoppers have usually cooled on the merchandise. As demand has sunk and corporations have adjusted, with McDonald’s stalling rollout plans for its McPlant burger and meat large JBS shutting down its plant-based meat division.
And but Feria and others stay bullish on the sector. TechCrunch sat down along with her to see why she’s nonetheless upbeat and what she’s telling her portfolio corporations in these unsure occasions.
