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“For a long time I beat my head against the wall with the conviction that the wall would break before my head, and eventually the wall broke.” 

That’s what Paul Shapiro, founder and CEO of mycoprotein producer The Better Meat Company (BMC) told me this week. The company has just announced it secured $31 million worth of fresh venture capital, which Shapiro forecasts will propel the business into profitable revenue growth. 

Despite the metaphorical concussion he may have sustained while breaking walls, trekking through the “wintry VC landscape,” and weaving between an endless “parade of bankruptcies, layoffs [and] company closures” – Shapiro’s outlook is surprisingly optimistic. 

In the full story on Nosh we dive into Shapiro’s plans to scale its patented Rhiza protein, the challenges of raising VC funds and sentiments for staying sane while running a startup. 

From birthday cake-flavored baked goods to protein condiments to THC-infused gummies, this week’s new product innovations span all of the aisles. 

🆓 Check out this week’s new product gallery for Little Spoon’s new collaboration with Siete, Skittles’ entry into the “swicy” trend and Oscar Mayer’s solution to catering to “EveryBun” at the cookout. 

Here’s a sample of the leading headlines from the food industry this week. Insiders get access to the full story.

1. Keychain Raises $30M Series B, Launches AI-Powered ERP
2. The CPG Business Is Changing, But Execs Say Adaptation Won’t Keep Pace
3. Microinfluencers, Mashups & ROI: Cracking The Collaboration Equation for CPG Growth
4. Mooski Secures $1.5 Million to Scale Chilled Oat Bar Production Amid Triple-digit Growth
5. Protein Push Extends to the Condiment Aisle

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While alcohol consumption is cooling, the battle between clean-label ingredients and high-protein performance foods is heating up. 

The hosts examine what’s driving these massive shifts in consumer behavior, and how brands like David, Crisp Power and Athletic Brewing are responding.

Tune into the episode here. Also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.