Strategic partnership and acquisition combine cutting-edge technology, proven market success, and century-long food science expertise to transform global food systems
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — August 7, 2025 — v2food, Australia’s leading plant-based meat company, today announced a strategic partnership with Ajinomoto Co., Inc (Ajinomoto Co.), the global company with over 100 years of history in its commitment to AminoScience*, alongside the acquisition of Daring Foods, the #1 unbreaded plant chicken brand in the United States. This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of sustainable food systems, combining v2food’s cutting-edge protein technology with Ajinomoto Co.’s century of food science expertise and Daring’s established US market presence.
Transforming global food systems through strategic synergies
The acquisition of Daring Foods creates immediate strategic value by integrating the brand’s strong retail penetration and consumer loyalty with v2food’s proprietary food technology and established manufacturing networks. Daring will continue to operate under its own brand in the US market while serving as a platform for v2food to launch products based on its innovative intellectual property across America.
“For several years, v2food has been the No.1 plant-based meat company in Australia, and through the acquisition of Daring, we are excited to be able to introduce our world-class product range into the USA market,” said Tim York, CEO of v2food. “Daring has built an incredible, consumer-loved brand with strong reach across the U.S., and combining that with our food technology creates immediate opportunities to accelerate our mission to be one of the global leaders in plant-based protein.”
The Ajinomoto Co. partnership is a strategic collaboration built on shared sustainability values and a mutual commitment to transforming global food systems, with initiatives actively progressing in Africa and emerging Asia.
Shigeo Nakamura, President & CEO, Ajinomoto Co., elaborated: “This strategic collaboration between Ajinomoto Co. and v2food is focused on our shared commitment to revolutionizing the global food system through innovation, sustainability, and co-creation in technology and business development to contribute to the well-being of all human beings, our society, and our planet. Our ‘Eat Well, Live Well’ philosophy aligns perfectly with v2food’s vision to develop next-generation food solutions that meet rising consumer demand for sustainable, nutritious alternatives.”
Jeffrey Gendelman, CEO of Daring Foods, added: “We’re excited about this next chapter and aligned culturally. Daring was built on a commitment to clean-label plant protein that never sacrifices taste or experience. Together, we see an opportunity to shape the future of our space in a way none of us could have achieved alone. With v2food’s technology platform and Ajinomoto Co.’s expertise supporting us, we’re in the best position yet to deliver on our consumer promise at both pace and scale. In my view, this is how the space should have been built from the start: thoughtfully, profitably, and as healthily as possible.
Innovation at the intersection of taste and sustainability
A common goal unites the three organizations: to transform the global food system through science-driven innovation that supports both human health and environmental sustainability. The partnership will accelerate the development of next-generation clean protein products, including an exciting new frozen meal range that showcases how delicious, nutritious, and affordable plant-based products can be, while also addressing key consumer demands for cleaner labels and shorter ingredient lists.
The fusion of Daring’s bold brand identity and culinary appeal with v2food’s proprietary food technology and Ajinomoto Co.’s century-long scientific expertise creates a powerful platform for innovation. v2food’s pioneering work on methylcellulose-free formulations and natural colour-changing technology using algae positions the collaboration at the forefront of clean-label innovation.
“With the strategic collaboration of Ajinomoto Co., this move strengthens the joint platform’s ability to scale globally, unlocking new revenue streams and accelerating the delivery of next-generation food solutions,” said Masaki Kashihara, Executive Officer, Green Business Development, Ajinomoto Co.
Strategic market expansion and global impact
The collaboration leverages Ajinomoto Co.’s extensive global network and significant presence in both developed and emerging markets. This infrastructure enables rapid scaling of plant-based solutions to meet rising global demand for sustainable protein alternatives.
Strategic expansion includes significant strides in emerging markets such as Africa and Asia, where the majority of the world’s population growth will occur in the next 25 years.
Through Ajinomoto Co.’s Green Business Development Department, the partnership supports publicly announced sustainability commitments while seeking to create new revenue streams in the rapidly evolving plant-based sector. By meeting consumers where they are on their flexitarian journey, particularly with popular proteins like chicken, the combined entity is committed to making plant-based eating accessible and appealing.
Jack Cowin, Founder of Hungry Jack’s and an early v2food investor, said: “From day one, v2food was conceived to be a global leader in plant-based meat, and our strategic move into the US market, especially with a strong brand like Daring and the backing of a global powerhouse like Ajinomoto, is a logical next phase of growth as the market consolidates. Over the next five years, we expect to see a rationalization of the industry with various best-in-class plant-based meat companies (such as v2food and Daring) coming together to gain scale and provide technical solutions that meet or exceed consumer requirements for great-tasting, affordable and nutritious food that also happens to be better for the planet.”
“This partnership represents the natural evolution of our shared vision to transform the global food system through science-driven innovation,” said Tim York, v2food CEO. “By combining our technological capabilities with Ajinomoto’s global scale and deep expertise in food science, alongside Daring’s proven market success, we’re creating a powerful platform for sustainable nutrition that doesn’t compromise on taste or quality.”
This combined entity is poised to lead the plant-based sector into a new era of taste, nutrition, and global accessibility, addressing the urgent need to feed a growing global population of 10 billion people while significantly reducing the environmental impact of food production.
