Mondelez takes minority investment food startup

DEERFIELD - Mondelez International announced today it has taken a minority investment in Uplift Food, a U.S.-based early-stage startup focusing on prebiotic functional foods.

It's the first venture investment Mondelez is making as part of SnackFutures, the company's innovation and venture hub aimed at unlocking snacking growth opportunities around the world. The SnackFutures team will work with Uplift Food to make gut health more understandable, accessible, and enjoyable through new forms and flavors.

Beyond the financial investment, SnackFutures will also provide support in areas like marketing, distribution, R & D and sourcing.

"Partnering with SnackFutures will undeniably strengthen Uplift Food's capacity to live our mission of seeing everyone benefit from the consumption of gut healthy foods," said Kara Landau, Dietitian and Founder Uplift Food. "The SnackFutures team provides the industry experience needed to make our dream a reality, and the continued support they show us to hold onto our nutritional and ingredient integrity allows us to remain true to our core values and grow,"

Tim Cofer, executive vice president and chief growth officer at Mondelez International, said the investment gives the company "a unique opportunity to disrupt the functional food category by delivering 'snackable' products focusing on gut health - something that does not exist today."