Kite Hill Raises $18m from General Mills’ VC for Plant-Based Dairy Products
Northern California-based Kite Hill , a plant-based dairy alternative startup, has secured $18 million in a round led by 301 INC, General Mills’ new business development and venturing unit, and CAVU Venture Partners , a consumer expansion equity business.
“If we are going to bring healthier, more environmentally friendly products to consumers, we need to make them available wherever people shop. This funding will help us do that.”
The business will use the proceeds to widen its distribution while as well growing consumer outreach efforts. The startup combines natural components and patented biochemistry with traditional cheese- and dairy-making techniques to create alternative dairy products.
Kite Hill places emphasis on sourcing high-quality, non-GMO almonds sourced locally from California’s San Joaquin Valley to make its proprietary almond milk fresh daily. This funding will help us do that.” Currently, Kite Hill products can be found at Whole Foods Markets across the US, including four types of artisanal cheeses, five flavors of cultured yogurts, two cultured cream cheese spreads, and two varieties of ravioli. “While plant-based milk has become easier to make, it is much more difficult to create cultured dairy alternatives.
Kite Hill is the first and only business to crack the code on plant-based cultured dairy products that actually taste great. We have a proprietary understanding of cultured nut milk founded on a melding of deep culinary. Scientific expertise,” explained Sade. “By combining patented biochemistry with traditional cheese- and dairy-making techniques, we have developed a range of offerings that are not only great tasting but healthier and more sustainable than their dairy counterparts.” Kite Hill’s target consumer? Everyone, per to Sade. “This means consumers with plant-based diets, as well as those who want to incorporate more plant-based foods into their diets, whether it’s once a day or once a month,” explained Sade.
Sustainability is a big part of the label’s platform. Kite Hill’s website contends that plant-based diets promote animal welfare by reducing reliance on industrial animal agriculture.
Some brands may feel a squeeze as the influx of options allows buyers to opt for the lowest priced product. Standing out amid the crowd will be key for businesses who want to survive the tidal wave of dairy-alternative milk products flooding supermarket shelves.
What do you think about plant-based dairy or other plant-based products? Share your thoughts with Lauren at lmanning@agfunder.com .
- Who: Kite Hill · Kite Hill’s · Northern California-based Kite Hill · General Mills’ · CAVU Venture Partners
- Money: $18 million · $350 billion
- Figures: 18 million · 350 billion
