Plant-Based Food & Beverage Startup, Califia Farms, raises $225 Million Series D Led By the Qatar Investment Authority

Califia Farms is a Los Angeles, CA-based startup, which is focused on the booming natural food and beverage industry. Founded in 2010, the startup has a line of plant-based food & beverage products, which the company claims are the “best-tasting plant-based beverages on the market.” Califia Farms is a market leader in the refrigerated plant-based milk, dairy-free creamer, and ready-to-drink coffee markets.

Califia Farms Founder and CEO, Greg Steltenpohl, says that “the more than $1 trillion global dairy and ready-to-drink coffee industry is ripe for continued disruption, with individuals all over the world seeking to transform their health & wellness through the adoption of minimally processed and nutrient rich foods that are better for both the planet and the animals.”

The plant-based food & beverage startup announced that it has completed its Series D funding round, which raised a total of $225 million. Leading the Series D round was the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), which also saw participation from Singapore-based Temasek, Green Monday Ventures, Claridge, and more. Representatives from the QIA, Temasek, and Claridge are set to join Califia’s Board of Directors after the funding round. Overall, the company looks to utilize the gross proceeds to continue investing in its production capabilities, research & development, and U.S.& international market expansion.

Califia Farms Press Release:

LOS ANGELES, CA, Califia Farms has completed a $225 million Series D financing led by the Qatar Investment Authority.

Califia Farms, a leading independently owned plant-based food and beverage company founded by natural product visionary Greg Steltenpohl, announces it has completed one of the largest private capital raising within the natural foods sector, through a $225 million Series D financing led by the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA). Other investors in the financing include Singapore headquartered investment company Temasek, Canada based Claridge, Hong Kong based Green Monday Ventures, and a Latin America based family with significant interests in coffee and consumer products.

Califia Farms Completes Landmark $225 Million Financing with Diverse Group of Global Investors

The new investor group will take a minority stake in Califia Farms, with representatives from QIA, Temasek, and Claridge joining the Board of Califia, alongside founder Greg Steltenpohl and existing investors Sun Pacific, Stripes and Ambrosia.

Demand for plant-based beverages is exploding worldwide as consumers seek healthier, great-tasting dairy alternatives. This latest funding round will help Califia Farms build on the success of its oat platform and launch other lines. Proceeds will also allow Califia to further invest in increased production capacity, substantial R&D, deeper U.S. penetration, and continued global expansion.

Inspired by the legendary Queen Califia, namesake of the state of California, Califia Farms was founded in 2010 and has become one of the fastest-growing natural food and beverage companies of scale in the U.S. and select international markets. Califia is on a mission to discover and share ‘what plants can do’ to help people transform their health and adopt a lower carbon “food-print.”

Califia is looking forward to working with a more global investor base, as the company continues to grow and fulfill its mission. “The more than $1 trillion global dairy and ready-to-drink coffee industry is ripe for continued disruption, with individuals all over the world seeking to transform their health & wellness through the adoption of minimally processed and nutrient rich foods that are better for both the planet and the animals,” said Greg Steltenpohl, Califia’s Founder and CEO. “Califia’s role is to help plant the future.”

“Speed to market is critical for companies at our stage and we are thrilled that our new partners share our vision to be the leading independent brand in the plant-based sector. Each of our partners brings significant resources and global expertise to accelerate our next stage of our growth,” he added.

Barclays acted as exclusive financial advisor and sole placement agent to Califia Farms on the capital raise, and Akin Gump served as legal counsel.

Contact: Press@califiafarms.com * Instagram and Twitter: @CalifiaFarms

#PlantTheFuture www.califiafarms.com

About Califia Farms (pronounced “Cal-ih-FEE-ah” like California)

Inspired by Queen Califia, the mythical namesake of the state of California, Los Angeles-based Califia Farms was founded in 2010 and has become one of the fastest-growing natural beverage companies in the U.S. Renowned for offering the best-tasting plant-based beverages on the market artfully packaged in unique curvy bottles, Califia is now a leading refrigerated Plant Milk, Dairy Free Creamer and Ready-to-Drink Coffee brand in the Natural and Specialty channels. Califia’s premium plant milk beverages make it easy for people to make delicious ‘plant powered’ choices that produce 60-80 percent fewer greenhouse gases than consuming cow’s milk2. Most recently Califia launched a breakthrough line of Oat Milks, Dairy Free Probiotic Yogurt drinks and Nitro Cold Brew coffees. Califia is on a mission to return food to its original nourishing purpose by applying creativity and innovation to make plant-based food and beverages that are both good for you and good-for-the-world.

About Qatar Investment Authority (QIA)

Qatar Investment Authority is the sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar and is a major contributor to realizing the Qatar National Vision of 2030. QIA was founded in 2005 to strengthen the country’s economy by diversifying into new asset classes. Building on the heritage of Qatar investments dating back more than three decades, QIA’s growing portfolio of long-term investments help complement the State of Qatar’s wealth in natural resources. Headquartered in Doha, and with a subsidiary in New York (QIA Advisory), QIA is structured to operate at the very highest levels of global investing. As a world-class investor, QIA adheres to the strictest financial and commercial disciplines. QIA has a strong track record of investing in multiple asset classes, including listed securities, property, alternative assets and private equity in all the major markets globally. QIA seeks socially, economically, and environmentally responsible investments and looks beyond short-term returns, as QIA pursues balanced and sustainable growth to maximize long-term returns. For more information, please visit www.qia.qa.