The face of protein is changing. Sales of plant-based meat are growing at 14% per year in China, the plant-based dairy sector has reached 120 billion RMB in domestic yearly sales, and startups in the region and around the world are building real meat, egg and dairy protein from cells instead of live animals. Global investment banks project alternative proteins will be a 1 trillion RMB industry by the end of the decade, with top food companies and investors already on board and a number of highly successful exits.
The face of protein is changing. Sales of plant-based meat are growing at 14% per year in China, the plant-based dairy sector has reached 120 billion RMB in domestic yearly sales, and startups in the region and around the world are building real meat, egg and dairy protein from cells instead of live animals. Global investment banks project alternative proteins will be a 1 trillion RMB industry by the end of the decade, with top food companies and investors already on board and a number of highly successful exits.
Building The Future of Protein
The Lever China Alternative Protein Fund invests in entrepreneurs and early stage companies creating the future of alternative protein in China. We back companies creating plant-based meat, egg or dairy products, those creating real animal protein from cell cultivation, fermentation or crop modification, and related products and technologies.
Entrepreneurs and startups also have the option of going through an affiliated three-month accelerator program in Guangzhou run by our partners at Brinc, with support and mentorship from the Lever team. Brinc is a leading venture capital and accelerator program with ten multi-disciplinary accelerator programs across six countries.
The Fund was launched and is run by Lever VC, a Hong Kong-based leading global investor in the alternative protein sector, and Lever Foods, a Shanghai-based consulting company advising on the alternative protein space.
Our Team
Our team members are alternative protein experts with 15 years combined experience investing in over 35 alternative protein companies in China and abroad. Lever VC’s partners were early investors in leading western plant-based meat, egg and dairy companies including Beyond Meat, Impossible Foods, JUST, and Miyoko’s Kitchen, as well as early investors in leading cultivated (cell-based) meat and dairy companies in Asia and the west, including Memphis Meats, Avant and Turtle Tree Labs. They were the first investors to back modern Chinese plant-based and cultivated animal protein startups. Lever VC’s Partners have also invested over 3 billion RMB in leading domestic conventional food and animal protein companies, including WH Group.
Our Team
Our team members are alternative protein experts with 15 years combined experience investing in over 35 alternative protein companies in China and abroad. Lever VC’s partners were early investors in leading western plant-based meat, egg and dairy companies including Beyond Meat, Impossible Foods, JUST, and Miyoko’s Kitchen, as well as early investors in leading cultivated (cell-based) meat and dairy companies in Asia and the west, including Memphis Meats, Avant and Turtle Tree Labs. They were the first investors outside of mainland China to invest in Chinese plant-based and cultivated animal protein startups. Lever VC’s Partners have also invested over 3 billion RMB in investments in leading domestic conventional food and animal protein companies, including WH Group.
What We Offer
The Lever China Alternative Protein Fund is open to aspiring entrepreneurs, early stage startups, and early growth stage companies anywhere in the country. Our typical check size is 350,000-2 million RMB, with the potential for follow-on funding up to 35 million RMB from Lever VC. Our affiliated Brinc Accelerator program is an optional add-on that entrepreneurs and startups can go through in exchange for a portion of the investment amount and equity.
Pitch decks and proposals for direct investment and for the accelerator program are welcomed on an ongoing basis. We encourage entrepreneurs to reach out early, as we have the flexibility to support and incubate entrepreneurs from day one and assist with strategic planning and development of the company.
In addition to providing capital we leverage our combined 15 years experience investing in the alternative protein sector, as well as the reach of our official partners (see below) and our broad network of contacts in the food and investment sectors, to provide our portfolio companies with hands-on support in areas including the following.
Personal connections to plant-based meat and dairy formulation experts who have helped created products for Beyond Meat, Impossible Foods, Ripple, and other leading global brands
Access to leading international alternative protein brands for joint venture partnerships
Strategic guidance on branding, marketing and market entry
Warm introductions to a wide range of domestic and international investors interested in alternative protein startups
Personal connections to procurement heads at leading restaurant, retail, FMCG and food service companies
The Accelerator
Lever China Alternative Protein Fund Official Partners
Get In Touch
If you are an entrepreneur or early stage company interested in applying for funding, or if you are interested in partnering with the Lever China Alternative Protein Fund to access deals and opportunities in the alternative protein space, please contact us through the form below. You can also reach us at: team (at) levervc.com