Company Overview
Lauren Abda is Founder of Branchfood, a Boston-based launchpad for food innovation. By bringing together all corners of the industry through curated events, advisory support, investments, and shared workspace, Branchfood connects innovators and fosters growth to transform the food industry. Learn more at https://www.branchfood.com/
Can you tell us a little about your background before starting your company?
My journey into food innovation started long before I launched my business. It began with a deep curiosity about how food connects people, cultures, and economies. While studying abroad, I was struck by how central food was to identity and community, yet also how fragile global food systems could be. Later, working with startups, I saw brilliant founders with bold ideas struggling to access the resources, capital, and networks they needed to succeed. Those experiences were defining. I realized that if we want a more resilient and innovative food system, we need more than encouragement for entrepreneurs and that we need the infrastructure to support them. That insight led me to create Branchfood, a launchpad for food innovation, and ultimately, Branch Venture Group, to provide the funding and strategic support that can truly move the industry forward.
How did you start your company? What were the first steps you took to get it off the ground and how did you identify the need for your product/service in the market?
Branchfood began as a launchpad for food innovation and a platform where entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders could collaborate, share ideas, and build meaningful partnerships. Since our start, we’ve worked with over 950 companies, from scrappy startups to industry leaders, all seeking new ways to transform food. In 2025, we proudly celebrated our 10-year anniversary, a decade of building one of the largest and most connected food innovation communities globally.
As we grew, it became clear that while connections were critical, capital remained one of the biggest barriers to growth for founders. That’s what led to the launch of Branch Venture Group, first as an investment network and now as a venture fund. To date, we’ve invested in 26 early-stage food, agriculture, and sustainability companies, giving them not just capital but also strategic guidance and industry expertise. The result: entrepreneurs gain resources to scale, investors access vetted opportunities, and corporations stay competitive by partnering with startups shaping the future of food.
What innovations or unique features set your company apart from others in the industry?
What sets us apart is the way we bring together consulting, community, and capital to accelerate food innovation across the ecosystem. Most organizations focus on one piece of the puzzle but we integrate all three.
Through Branchfood, we partner with industry leaders on projects that give them early visibility into consumer trends, breakthrough technologies, and fast-moving startups. These collaborations help corporations identify growth opportunities, pilot solutions, and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.
At the same time, Branch Venture Group closes the critical funding gap for entrepreneurs. We invest in early-stage companies, backing that capital with strategic support, mentorship, and access to networks that drive traction. By doing so, we help founders build stronger businesses faster and set them up for long-term success.
The impact is clear: our portfolio companies are already demonstrating how innovation drives measurable results. Shameless Pets has rescued over one million pounds of food waste from landfills by upcycling it into healthy pet treats. Mori is reducing packaging waste and extending the shelf life of fresh foods through its breakthrough silk protein coating. These are just two examples of the more than two dozen companies we’ve invested in that are proving commercial success and impact can go hand in hand.
By bridging established companies with emerging innovators while fueling startups with capital and expertise, we’re creating ripple effects across the entire food system – a stronger, more connected, and more resilient ecosystem driving meaningful change in how food is produced, distributed, and consumed.
What has been the most effective strategy for scaling your business?
One of the most effective strategies for scaling has been leveraging networks and building bridges. By convening entrepreneurs, investors, and corporations, we’ve created opportunities for collaboration that amplify growth. Launching Branch Venture Group was a pivotal move, enabling us to go beyond community and consulting to directly fuel innovation with capital. Staying disciplined around this integrated model has allowed us to grow both strategically and sustainably.
Looking ahead, what are your goals for the future of your company?
Looking ahead, my goal is to build the next great asset management firm focused on food and agriculture and one that not only delivers strong financial returns but also drives meaningful change in the global food system. This is a $10 trillion global industry, yet it remains one of the most overlooked and underinvested industries in venture capital. That’s not because venture dollars don’t fit here – we’ve proven they do – it’s because the industry is only now entering a period of transformation, driven by environmental pressures, shifting consumer trends, and rapid technology adoption. What we know is that when industries undergo great change, it’s the moment when great firms are built, meaningful returns are generated, and lasting impact is made.
