It's Time to Invest in Natural Products CPG Again

John Foraker — who has built success at Once Upon a Farm and previously at Annie's Homegrown — is a strong proponent of reviving investment in promising natural CPG products. In the photo, he addressed this issue at Naturally Chicago's Pitch Slam and Financing & Innovation Forum this past May. Photo by Bob Benenson/Naturally Chicago

NATURALLY CHICAGO URGES INCREASED NATURAL CPG INVESTMENT IN CRAIN'S AND NEW HOPE NETWORK ARTICLES

BUY TICKETS FOR A LIVE EVENT ON THE SUBJECT TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 22

Not long ago, venture capital and other investors engaged eagerly with natural product brands that were addressing a rising consumer demand. But the pandemic, followed by inflation and high-interest rates, made these investors risk-averse.

And they have remained so even as economic conditions have improved. The result is that many CPG companies that should be thriving have been starved for investment capital.

This is a major issue for Naturally Chicago, our region's association for the natural products industry. So much so that Managing Director Jim Slama has written articles about the topic that, we’re pleased to share, have been published by New Hope Network and Crain's Chicago Business.

Now's the Time for Investors to Put Their Money in Natural CPG Brands: New Hope Network (accessible to all)

It’s Time to Invest in Emerging CPG Brands Again!  Crain's Chicago Business (behind the publication's paywall)

Naturally Chicago's programs connect emerging food brands with investors. Our capacity to help has been enhanced by our recent merger with Chicago Seed Co.: We now operate a network with more than 60 Venture, Family Office, and Angel investors that are actively seeking investments in emerging food brands. We also have partnered with Chicago:Blend to develop the Brand Investment Connect Database that showcases member brands seeking capital.

To encourage CPG investment, Naturally Chicago is hosting a live seminar, Raising Equity and Debt Capital, on Tuesday, October 22 from 2:00-6:30 p.m. 

The event takes place at Taste 222 at 222 N. Canal St. in Chicago — the home of Cleveland Avenue,  a billion-dollar Chicago-based fund that invests in lifestyle consumer brands and technology. Speakers include leading equity and debt providers discussing how brands can access capital.

Attendees will have the opportunity to network with brands and investors over drinks and appetizers. In addition, 10 brands actively seeking capital will have a table at the event.

Click the button below to register.

The following is an excerpt from the New Hope article with a link to access the full piece. Thank you as always for your interest in Naturally Chicago and in our community's game-changing CPG brands.

“The last few years have been rough for emerging food and beverage companies as they try to grow in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry. The pandemic’s disruptions were followed by much higher interest rates. Then tight money prompted many investors to close their wallets to brands seeking new capital. 

“With resources limited, many promising companies were unable to fund growth and instead hunkered down, seeking a path to profitability. Some closed.”