Canadian plant-based seafood brand Konscious Foods is set to grow its retail and food service businesses after raising US$26 million in a series seed-funding round.
Participants in the round include Zynik Capital, Walter Group, and Protei Industries Canada, among others.
Established by Yves Potvin – the founder of plant-based companies Gardein and Yves Veggie Cuisine – the brand offers a range of alt-seafood products like sushi rolls, onigiri, poke bowls, and stuffed rice snacks.
According to the brand, the funds will be used to grow its retail and food service, support operations, and deploy marketing initiatives for nationwide retail launches.
The company expects to be available in more than 4500 stores across US and Canada by the end of the year.
“This investment validates our excitement about the demand – and critical need – for seafood made from plants,” said Potvin.
The funds will allow us to focus on sales and marketing efforts as we expand distribution across North America and continue our goal of making sustainable, delicious plant-based food widely accessible.”
Meanwhile, Pierre Somers, Chairman and CEO of Walter Group, said the products offered by Konscious Foods represent a “significant shift” in the plant-based food space.
“It proves that meat alternatives do not need to be highly processed, filled with unnatural ingredients or cost more than the incumbent products,” Somers concluded.
“We believe the company will transform plant-based food and the seafood industry.”
