Lever VC's

Investment

Approach

Insa Mohr and Jochen Mueller, co-founders of Lever VC portfolio company Mooji Meats

Our approach

What we look for

What we look for

Lever VC invests across the alternative protein category and is open to select deals in the upgraded animal protein sector. 

For product- driven companies such as plant-based meat and dairy brands, we look to invest early in companies that are #1 or #2 in quality in their broad geographic region, in product categories with large total addressable markets that are not overly competitive, and that have demonstrated early sales traction and strong weekly unit turnover. 

For technology-driven companies we look to invest as early as possible in global or regional pioneers of technologies that create ingredients, inputs or products that generate significant improvements in taste, texture and functionality—or similarly significant consumer benefits—and that have a clear path to market-accessible price points.

In all categories we look for reasonable deal terms and fantastic founding teams with the work ethic, good judgement, intelligence and self-awareness needed to build an incredibly successful company.

Investment process

Lever VC conducts robust, lead-level due diligence before every investment

Sourcing

Lever sources deals from our extensive personal networks in the sector, robust inbound cold contacts, incubator and accelerator partners, and trade media and sales channel monitoring.

Tracking

The Fund tracks and monitors over 3,500 companies in category through its proprietary database, allowing for robust peer analysis and early detection of breakout growth.

Scientific and Technical Review

Lever utilizes its in-house scientific expertise to conduct extensive technical review on all relevant deals via interviews, data analysis, IP and academic literature reviews, and site visits.

Due Diligence

The Fund conducts lead-level due diligence before all investments, including financial modeling, returns analysis, taste panels, site visits, competitor analysis, and general financial and strategy reviews.

Sourcing

Lever sources deals from our extensive personal networks in the sector, robust inbound cold contacts, incubator and accelerator partners, and trade media and sales channel monitoring.

Tracking

The Fund tracks and monitors over 3,500 companies in category through its proprietary database, allowing for robust peer analysis and early detection of breakout growth.

Scientific and Technical Review

Lever utilizes its in-house scientific expertise to conduct extensive technical review on all relevant deals via interviews, data analysis, IP and academic literature reviews, and site visits.

Due Diligence

The Fund conducts lead-level due diligence before all investments, including financial modeling, returns analysis, taste panels, site visits, competitor analysis, and general financial and strategy reviews.

Plant-based burgers from Lever VC portfolio company The New

Mycoprotein-based chicken alternative from Lever VC portfolio company The Better Meat Co

Our value-add

Lever VC's deep sector experience allows it to provide portfolio companies with much more than just capital

The Fund taps its extensive network of investors in the category to help portfolio companies raise follow-on rounds with value-add partners. We utilize our connections with leading food companies around the globe to help portfolio companies secure product development, scale-up and sales partnerships. And we draw from years of experience investing across scores of companies in the alternative protein category (and reviewing thousands more) to advise on commercial and marketing strategies. 

Lever VC prefers to lead or co-lead rounds and to take board or board observer seats when possible, although neither is required.

Our co-investors

Lever VC and key Partners at Lever VC have co-invested in alternative protein companies alongside leading food corporates and private equity funds.

Lever VC's team of

Sector Experts