Investor Profile: Danone Manifesto Ventures — Thesis, Cheque Size & How to Apply

Danone Manifesto Ventures funding brings a food giant's backing to founders building a healthier food system. Launched at the end of 2016 by Danone, Danone Manifesto Ventures is the company's corporate venture capital unit, created to bring the Danone Manifesto to life by partnering with a tribe of disruptive entrepreneurs across the world. For founders asking how to get funding from Danone Manifesto Ventures, the first test is mission fit: innovative, high-growth companies that share its vision of healthier eating and drinking.

Danone Manifesto Ventures funding thesis

The fund's purpose, stated by Danone at launch, is developing new offers that encourage healthier eating and drinking practices for increasingly demanding consumers. Through the unit, Danone provides financial and operational support — giving portfolio companies access to its experienced teams around the world — while preserving the autonomy entrepreneurs need to grow. The team is international, based in New York City and Paris. In September 2018, the fund became the first corporate venture fund independently certified as a B Corporation, underlining its commitment to social and environmental standards alongside returns.

Sectors, stages and cheque size

The fund invests in food and foodtech businesses — B2C food and beverage brands, foodtech and adjacent health and sustainability plays — that are disrupting how the world eats and drinks. It backs companies from seed through growth stages, forming a portfolio intended to become tomorrow's market-leading food companies. Danone has not publicly disclosed a formal fund size or standard cheque: third-party investor directories report seed tickets in the region of $1–5 million, which should be treated as a reported estimate rather than an official range.

Notable portfolio, including an India bet

The fund's early investments included Michel et Augustin and Yooji in France alongside Farmer's Fridge in the United States. It later led a growth investment in Harmless Harvest, the US premium coconut water brand, and completed a $10 million growth investment in Laird Superfood. Other portfolio names include Nature's Fynd (alternative protein), Forager Project, Kona Deep, Agricool and AccelFoods. Notably for Indian readers, the fund has also backed Epigamia, the Indian Greek yoghurt and functional foods brand — proof that the thesis travels to India.

Who runs it

The fund's Managing Director at the time of its best-documented investments was Laurent Marcel. It operates as a dedicated international team split between New York City and Paris. Leadership details in public sources largely date to 2017–2020, so founders should confirm the current team via the official site before outreach.

How to apply for funding

Danone Manifesto Ventures does not operate a public application form or accelerator-style intake. The official site, danoneventures.com, is the primary contact route for startups seeking a conversation with the team. A strong pitch leads with the manifesto: a healthier food or drink product, real consumer traction, and a credible impact story — B Corp certification means the fund takes social and environmental credentials seriously.