Prefera Expands Portfolio with Acquisition of The Pack
Deal News | May 02, 2025 | EIN
In a strategic move to boost innovation in the pet food industry, premium pet food manufacturer Prefera Petfood has acquired The Pack, a British startup specializing in alternative proteins for pet food. The acquisition aligns with Prefera's focus on sustainable pet food production and comes shortly after The Pack launched the UK's first cultivated meat product for pets. The Pack's co-founders, Judy Nadel and Damien Clarkson, are set to join Prefera's team, with Clarkson continuing as the brand's CEO. The Pack's focus on plant-based pet nutrition has been both pioneering and environmentally friendly, offering products with significantly lower carbon emissions compared to traditional meat-based pet foods. Under Prefera's guidance, The Pack aims to accelerate its product development and distribution across Europe. Clarkson emphasizes that the deal will enable The Pack to launch new, nutritious pet food products more rapidly by leveraging Prefera's extensive production capabilities. The acquisition reflects a broader trend of mergers and acquisitions within the plant-based sector, driven by increasing consumer demand for sustainable food options amid declining sales and venture capital funding in the industry. The sector has seen numerous acquisitions recently, indicating consolidation in response to economic pressures. Through their expertise and innovative approach, Prefera and The Pack are positioned to lead the advancement of climate-smart pet food solutions.
Sectors
- Pet Food Industry
- Alternative Protein Sector
- Plant-Based Food Industry
- Mergers and Acquisitions
Geography
- United Kingdom – The Pack is a British startup and Prefera's acquisition involves UK companies at the core of the transaction.
- Europe – Prefera Petfood, the acquirer, is concentrated on the European market, and the deal is expected to bolster The Pack's presence in this region.
Industry
- Pet Food Industry – The article discusses companies involved in the production and innovation of pet food, including the introduction of alternative proteins and cultivated meats specifically for pets.
- Alternative Protein Sector – The Pack is a notable player in the emerging market of alternative proteins, offering plant-based and cultivated meat products for pets to meet environmental sustainability demands.
- Plant-Based Food Industry – Reflects the article's focus on plant-based ingredients, highlighting market trends toward sustainable and environmentally-friendly food products.
- Mergers and Acquisitions – The acquisition of The Pack by Prefera Petfood is a significant business transaction, indicative of ongoing M&A activities within the food sector.
Financials
- 835,000 – Seed funding round closed by The Pack in December 2022.
- 1M – The total funding raised by The Pack before the crowdfunding campaign.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Pack | Target Company | Company | A British startup specializing in producing alternative proteins and innovative pet food products. |
| Prefera Petfood | Acquiring Company | Company | A premium pet food manufacturer focused on sustainable innovations, newly formed by industry veterans. |
| Judy Nadel | Co-founder | Person | Co-founder of The Pack, involved in the transition to Prefera's team post-acquisition. |
| Damien Clarkson | Co-founder and CEO | Person | Co-founder of The Pack who will remain as CEO of the brand post-acquisition under Prefera. |
| BioCraft Pet Nutrition | Partner Company | Company | A US startup that partnered with Prefera Petfood for co-manufacturing cell-cultured ingredients for pets. |