Yooji is a French start-up that develops, produces and markets organic baby food in frozen portion sizes. Its products are free from additives and salt and are sourced from EU-based farms.
The company is now raising a significant amount of capital to grow and expand. Its existing shareholders, Caravelle and Capagro, are also contributing to the new financing round. Advisory firm Oaklins has led the fundraising effort.
It’s convenient
Yooji’s organic baby food is convenient for both parents and babies. The food is made from locally sourced ingredients and is free of additives. They also use 100% renewable energy sources to create their products.
The company’s products are safe, tasty and simple and meet the needs of millennials, who are increasingly health conscious. They are also environmentally sustainable, focusing on waste reduction plans and using sustainable packaging.
Founded in 2012, Yooji is a family-owned baby food manufacturer with over 600 stores across France. Danone Manifesto Ventures has invested in the company, which is aiming to become a key player in the infant nutrition market.
This is the fourth investment in a year for the unit, launched last year, which provides financial and operational support to innovative companies with high growth potential that share the alimentation vision of Danone. Along with Yooji, Danone has also invested in Michel & Augustin and Farmers Fridge in the US.
It’s organic
YOoji offers safe, tasty, and simple organic baby foods for all babies from four months old. The frozen meals are prepared with organic ingredients or from sustainable fishing, are gluten-free and have no additives.
The company also aims to preserve the nutritional qualities of its products by gentle cooking and quick freezing. This manufacturing process, unique in child nutrition, helps to maintain the quality of the products over time.
Danone’s investment in Yooji is part of its efforts to bulk up its presence in the organic food market. The French food giant has already made several investments in startups in the natural and organic space, including WhiteWave and premium biscuit-to-dessert maker Michel & Augustin.
Organic food is often higher in nutrient content than conventionally grown foods. However, it can be expensive and not available to all consumers. It can also be high in calories and saturated fat. While some research suggests that organic food may have a positive impact on health, more studies are needed.
It’s tasty
Yooji’s take out food is delicious and a perfect way to enjoy sushi in a modern, urban setting. The restaurant is known for serving original Asian spices and Japanese fusion cuisine.
Danone Manifesto Ventures, the venture capital arm of France’s largest yoghurt company, recently invested in Yooji. It produces organic baby food in frozen portion sizes, free from additives and salt.
Its products are sold in 600 stores throughout France. It sources vegetables from organic farms in Europe and uses sustainable packaging.
The company’s CEO, Frederic Ventre, said organic baby foods appeal to millennial parents who want their children to have healthy, natural food. He added that the company prioritises sustainability and has a waste reduction plan, sustainable packaging and 100% renewable energy sources.
Yooji also aims to help those in need. It supports a project called APRICOT CHILDREN, which provides counseling and psychological treatment for children in the Tohoku region of Japan. Through its community, customers can donate their Yooji Coins to support this program.
It’s healthy
Whether you’re new to feeding your baby or have been doing it for years, you probably know how important it is for them to consume healthy foods from an early age. Yooji offers easy to prepare, organic, frozen infant meals with no additives.
Founded in 2012, the French-based company has a mission to offer convenient, tasty and healthy organic food, which is as close as possible to home-cooked foods. Its products are made from locally sourced ingredients and are free of additives.
The company aims to minimise its impact with waste reduction plans, sustainable packaging and 100% renewable energy sources. It also seeks to ensure that the employees it employs are treated fairly and responsibly.
This investment marks the fourth since Danone launched Manifesto Ventures in 2016, which provides financial and operational support to startups that encourage healthier eating and drinking habits. Its previous investments include premium biscuit-to-dessert maker Michel & Augustin, vending machine salad maker Farmer’s Fridge and Accel Foods.