NEW YORK — Foods United, a subsidiary of Swiss investment company Blue Horizon, is changing its name to The Livekindly Co. (TLKC) following its acquisition of plant-based consumer platform Livekindly Media. The media platform joins a portfolio of plant-based startup brands, including LikeMeat and The Fry Family Food Co.
TLKC also announced a $200 million founder-led funding round. Funds will go toward further acquisitions with the goal of establishing a collective of both heritage and startups brands, the company said. It also will focus on scaling its current plant-based portfolio.
Germany-based LikeMeat, which joined the Livekindly family of brands last month, offers several varieties of chilled chicken alternatives. Products available in Europe include the pea-based Like Curry Chicken and the soy-based Like Nuggets. The Fry Family Food Co. sells several plant-based burger varieties in the United States made from quinoa, brown rice and falafel as well as soy and wheat.
“Unlike any other company in this space, The Livekindly Co. is creating a movement that will drive impact at scale and at speed,” said Kees Kruythoff, chairman and chief executive officer. “We are starting with one of the world’s most consumed meats — chicken — by providing outstanding, tasty, plant-based foods that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly.”
TLKC is led by a team of industry executives, including Mr. Kruythoff, former president of Unilever North America; Roger Lienhard, founder of Blue Horizon; and Jodi Monelle, CEO and founder of Livekindly Media. Other leaders include Mick Van Ettinger, chief marketing officer, and Aldo Uva, chief operating and R&D officer.
“TLKC’s approach offers a path forward for transforming the global food industry,” Mr. Lienhard said. “It started with bringing together like-minded founders who share a vision for smarter, sustainable living, and allows the food industry to better align around the evolving values of consumers who are focused on climate change, animal welfare and human health.”
In addition to its two plant-based startup brands and digital media platform, TLKC has an equity stake in non-GMO ingredients company Puris Holdings.