Agrana and Raiffeisen Nö-Wien Invest €5m in FoodLabs fund to access agri-food innovations

Sep 30, 2024
1 min read

Agrana and Raiffeisen-Holding Niederösterreich-Wien have announced a joint investment of €5 million in the FoodLabs fund, a player in the European food and agricultural technology sector.

Each organisation is contributing €2.5 million to the third fund managed by FoodLabs, which boasts a diverse portfolio of over 60 companies focused on innovative solutions for food and climate challenges.

This strategic investment allows Agrana, a processor of agricultural commodities, and Raiffeisen-Holding, a private investment firm in Austria, to tap into emerging start-ups that are developing technologies relevant to their core business operations.

The collaboration aims to enhance their capabilities in agricultural research and food technology.

Stephan Büttner, CEO of Agrana, said: “In addition to our own projects, our investment in FoodLabs provides us with early-stage access to new technologies, enabling us to boost our innovative strength and integrate the insights of creative start-ups into our portfolio”.

Michael Höllerer, CEO of Raiffeisen-Holding, added: “We see ourselves as an enabler for promoting future-oriented solutions to social challenges. Our investment in FoodLabs is a crucial step in supporting innovations within the high-growth FoodTech segment."

Based in Berlin, FoodLabs specialises in early-stage venture capital and works with entrepreneurs and scientists to address global challenges in areas such as health, agriculture and climate.

Since its inception in 2016, FoodLabs has invested in numerous companies, including Infinite Roots and Formo, focusing on transformative solutions for the food supply chain and beyond.

#Agrana #FoodLabs #startup #technology #agriculture #Europe

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Leah Smith

8 May 2026

New products

Ella’s Kitchen launches new children's snack range

Ella’s Kitchen is expanding beyond the baby food aisle with the launch of Ella’s Kitchen Kids, a new product line aimed at children aged 18 months and older.

The launch marks a significant strategic move for the brand as it looks to extend its presence beyond the weaning category and capture growing demand for healthier snack options for toddlers and young children.

Positioned as a “better-for-you” alternative to traditional children’s snacks, the new range combines bold flavours, playful branding and convenient formats with the nutritional standards parents associate with the Ella’s Kitchen brand.

The company said the range was developed in response to changing family eating habits and the lack of minimally processed snack options for older toddlers outside the baby aisle.

Initial products include Ella’s Kitchen Kids Crunchy Stix in Cheese + Onion, Tomato + Basil and Pesto varieties, alongside Ella’s Kitchen Kids Wild Crackers available in Tomato + Oregano, Pea + Basil and Carrot + Rosemary flavours.

Designed for lunchboxes, picnics and snacking occasions, the products are formulated with reduced salt levels and classified as non-HFSS options. According to the company, the Crunchy Stix contain less than 0.04g of salt per pack, while the Crackers contain less than 0.05g per serving.

Emma Wood, Senior Brand Manager at Ella’s Kitchen, said: “Ella’s Kitchen Kids is about recognising that the journey doesn’t stop at baby food. As little ones grow, their tastes, independence and routines all change – but parents still want options they can feel good about.”

The launch also signals Ella’s Kitchen’s wider ambitions within the children’s snacking market, with additional products and categories expected later this year.

Wood added that the company aims to help “raise the standards of the kids’ food category” by balancing taste, convenience and nutrition.