SnackFutures

What SnackFutures does

SnackFutures Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Mondelēz International, established to identify and back brands, businesses, and technologies with the potential to disrupt the future of snacking. Formally launched in March 2024 but operational since 2021 through its CoLab accelerator, the firm invests across three pillars: high-growth scale-ups in Mondelēz's core categories (chocolate, biscuits, baked snacks); early-stage disruptors in well-being, sustainability, personalization, and new business models; and emerging technology companies developing capabilities in sustainable food ingredients, packaging, consumer experiences, and supply chain. The firm functions as a true strategic partner, providing portfolio companies not only capital but also access to Mondelēz's global R&D, distribution, and expert network.

The platform operates two program vehicles: CoLab, a 12-week brand accelerator launched in 2021 that has hosted three cohorts totaling 28 brands via virtual classes, 1:1 mentorship, and hands-on experiences; and CoLab Tech, an 8-week technology accelerator run in partnership with Mondelēz's R&D team, with the 2026 cohort comprising 9 startups across climate resilience, breakthrough performance technologies, next-generation ingredients, and product/pack innovation. The portfolio includes a strategic acquisition (Hu Products, fully acquired) alongside minority investments in Craize, Celleste Bio, and Torr Foodtech, illustrating the firm's typical exit pathway from venture investment to corporate integration.

SnackFutures is operated by a small corporate venture team—led by VP/Global Head Richie Gray out of Zurich, with Investment Lead Luba Safran, Strategy & Insights Lead Daphné Busseniers, and Director/Portfolio Manager Simon Miles—and is funded directly from Mondelēz International's balance sheet rather than external limited partners. As an internal strategic investment unit rather than an independent fund, SnackFutures does not report standalone revenue or AUM, and its returns flow through to the parent either via successful exits or, more often, via strategic acquisition of portfolio companies into the Mondelēz portfolio.

Name

SnackFutures

Legal name

SnackFutures Ventures

Website

https://snackfutures.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SnackFutures Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Mondelēz International, investing capital and strategic resources in snack, ingredient, and food-tech startups through its CoLab and CoLab Tech accelerator programs, targeting high-growth scale-ups and emerging technologies in chocolate, biscuits, and baked snacks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Corporate Venture Capital (Food & Snack)

NAICS

Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing (3113), Snack Food Manufacturing (31191)

SIC

Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Strategic Partnership & Ecosystem Investment Arms (FSANAHAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD), Chocolate & Candy Snacks Manufacturing (AFAKAIAM), Chocolate & Chocolate Confectionery (CRADABAA)

Keywords

• Corporate venture capital
• Food tech investment
• Snack startup accelerator
• CPG brand investment
• Portfolio investment programs

Headquarters

HQ city

East Hanover

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Investment Returns: SnackFutures generates returns through equity investments in portfolio companies. Returns are realized through strategic acquisitions, IPOs, or secondary sales of equity positions. The VC arm provides capital along with Mondelēz's global resources, expertise, and network of partners to fuel profitable growth for portfolio companies.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

SnackFutures Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Mondelēz International that invests equity capital in snack brands, ingredient companies, and food-tech startups aligned with Mondelēz's core categories (chocolate, biscuits, baked snacks) and emerging themes (well-being, sustainability, personalization). Beyond capital, it provides portfolio companies strategic resources, mentorship, R&D access, and commercial pathways. It also runs two accelerator programs — CoLab (12-week snack brand accelerator, launched 2021) and CoLab Tech (technology accelerator run with Mondelēz R&D, focused on packaging, novel ingredients, and sustainability).

Product overview

SnackFutures Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Mondelēz International, operating as a unified investment platform that combines financial capital with strategic resources. The offering consists of three core components: SnackFutures Ventures (the main VC arm investing in high-growth scale-ups and early-stage disruptors), CoLab (a 12-week accelerator for snacking start-ups launched in 2021), and CoLab Tech (a technology-focused accelerator in partnership with Mondelēz's R&D team). The portfolio includes both fully acquired brands (Hu Products) and minority investments (Craize, Celleste Bio, Torr Foodtech), with focus areas spanning well-being, sustainability, personalization, and new business models in the snacking industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CoLab: A 12-week program launched in 2021 designed to collaborate with snacking start-ups via virtual classes, 1:1 mentorship and hands-on experiences. Hosted three classes with a total of 28 brands.
• CoLab Tech

Products and services

• SnackFutures Ventures Corporate venture capital arm of Mondelēz International that invests equity in brands, businesses, and technologies to strengthen Mondelēz's core businesses (chocolate, biscuits, baked snacks) and accelerate innovation in well-being, sustainability, personalization, and supply chain. Investors (founders/CEOs of high-growth snack brands and food-tech start-ups) receive capital plus strategic resources, mentorship, proof-of-concept pathways, and access to Mondelēz's global network.
• CoLab Accelerator A 12-week accelerator program for early-stage snacking start-ups that delivers virtual classes, 1:1 mentorship, and hands-on commercialization experiences. To date, the program has hosted three classes with 28 brands in total. Designed for founders of early-stage snack brands targeting well-being, sustainability, personalization, and new business models.
• CoLab Tech Accelerator An 8-week technology-focused accelerator program for early-stage companies with innovative technologies in packaging, novel ingredients, sustainability, and net zero. Run jointly by Mondelēz International's R&D team and SnackFutures Ventures, it provides mentorship, curriculum, proof-of-concept pathways, and direct access to Mondelēz's global R&D and partner network. Applicants must have a minimum viable product and at least 5 employees.

Quantifiable outcome

• 28 brands have completed CoLab accelerator program since 2021
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• InnopearlminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInnopearl manages the SnackFutures website and contact/inquiry portal (partnerplus.innopearl.ch). They provide operational support for the venture's digital presence and investor relations infrastructure.
• Mondelēz International R&DcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoLab Tech is run by Mondelēz International's Research and Development team in partnership with SnackFutures Ventures. The R&D team provides direct access to MDLZ R&D leadership, internal specialists, and global network of partners and experts for accelerator participants.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ZX Ventures (AB InBev): AB InBev's corporate venture capital and innovation arm, investing in beverage, food, and emerging consumer brands. Direct peer given highly comparable CVC model, prior employer of SnackFutures' Investment Lead Luba Safran, and similarly tight strategic alignment with parent beverage/snacking portfolio.
• 301 INC (General Mills): General Mills' corporate venture capital arm focused on food, snacks, and restaurant brands. Direct peer as both a food CPG CVC investing in early-stage snack and food brands with strategic intent — comparable scale and mandate.
• Springboard (Kraft Heinz): Kraft Heinz's CVC platform for emerging food brands. Direct peer given similar CPG parent backing, focus on high-growth snack and condiment brands, and accelerator-style programs for portfolio companies.
• Tyson Ventures: Tyson Foods' corporate venture capital arm investing in food, protein, and emerging food tech. Direct peer as a major CPG CVC deploying capital into food innovation with strategic alignment to a global food parent.
• Terra (Nestlé): Nestlé's CVC and food-tech innovation arm. Direct peer as the CVC of the world's largest food company, similarly focused on emerging ingredients, packaging, sustainability, and high-growth food brands feeding the parent's M&A pipeline.
• Nutrition Greenhouse (PepsiCo): PepsiCo's food-tech accelerator and CVC platform. Direct peer given comparable accelerator program structure, focus on emerging food/snack innovation, and backing by a global snacking competitor to Mondelēz.
• Mars Edge: Mars' ventures and innovation arm focused on cocoa, snacking, and emerging food tech. Direct peer given overlapping focus on chocolate/cocoa innovation, cell-cultured and alternative cocoa, and parallel CPG snacking parent structure.
• Cargill Ventures: Cargill's corporate venture arm investing across food, agriculture, and ingredient technology. Direct peer given comparable CVC mandate around food innovation, supply chain, and sustainable ingredients — with similar capital intensity and incumbent parent backing.
• Hershey Ventures: The Hershey Company's innovation and venture platform focused on snacking, chocolate, and emerging food categories. Direct peer given near-identical focus on chocolate and confectionery innovation through a dedicated CVC structure backed by a global snacking parent.

Broad incumbents

• Unilever Ventures: Unilever's CVC arm investing in early-stage consumer brands across food, beauty, home, and wellbeing. Broad incumbent peer as a much larger CPG CVC with a broader portfolio mandate beyond just food — comparable in structure but operates at greater scale and category breadth.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments31 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SnackFutures