V2Food Acquires Daring Foods, Partners with Ajinomoto

Edited by The VEGPRENEUR Team

Australian alternative meat producer V2Food has acquired US-based Daring Foods in a deal of undisclosed value and formed a strategic alliance with Japanese food giant Ajinomoto.

Daring will continue to operate under its own brand name while serving as V2Food’s launchpad for entry into the US market. At the same time, V2Food and Ajinomoto plan to collaborate on projects in Africa and emerging markets across Asia. Ajinomoto’s president and CEO, Shigeo Nakamura, described the partnership as focused on developing “next-generation, clean-protein products.”

Tim York, who became V2Food’s CEO in 2023 after the departure of founder Nick Hazell, said the acquisition and new partnership mark a major step in the company’s growth.
“For several years, V2Food has been Australia’s leading plant-based meat brand,” York noted. “With Daring, we’re excited to introduce our range to the US market. By pairing our technology with Ajinomoto’s global scale and food science expertise—plus Daring’s proven consumer appeal—we’re building a strong platform for sustainable nutrition that doesn’t compromise on taste or quality.”

Founded in Scotland in 2018 by Ross Mackay and Elliott Kessas, Daring Foods moved its headquarters to the US before launching stateside in 2020. Mackay, who originally served as CEO, stepped down last year. Today, the company produces a wide variety of plant-based chicken, including plain, flavored, and breaded pieces, wings, patties, and prepared meals.

Jeffrey Gendelman, Daring’s current CEO, emphasized the strength of the new partnership.
“Together, we have the opportunity to shape the future of this category in ways none of us could have done alone,” he said. “V2Food’s technology and Ajinomoto’s expertise give us the tools to scale quickly and fulfill our promise to consumers.”

Both V2Food and Ajinomoto expect their collaboration to accelerate the expansion of plant-based protein worldwide, leveraging Ajinomoto’s infrastructure to meet the rising demand for sustainable alternatives. Nakamura added that Ajinomoto’s guiding principle, ‘Eat Well, Live Well,’ aligns seamlessly with V2Food’s mission to create next-generation food solutions that satisfy the growing appetite for nutritious, environmentally friendly options.