Topi Ventures

Not long ago, snacks felt unstoppable—functional, global, mood-boosting, mission-driven. But recent earnings reports, including a sharp breakdown from Axios, tell a different story. General Mills, Smucker’s, and Campbell’s all reported declining snack sales. Even dog treats are down. It’s not just about GLP-1s or trend fatigue—it’s a deeper shift in consumer confidence. In my latest piece for Topi Ventures, I explore what this means for the future of CPG. To me, this isn’t a collapse—it’s a design challenge. // How do we meet consumers where they are—financially and emotionally? // How do we lead with empathy, not ego? // And how do we make value feel tangible again? Would love to hear what you’re seeing. Are your customers shopping differently? Trading down? Pulling back? Let’s compare notes → https://lnkd.in/gGurUKgu

At Topi Ventures, we're bridging the gap between "ancestral superfood" and "Thursday's lunch special" through our strategic partnership with Yolélé—bringing fonio from West African tradition to institutional scale with equal parts cultural respect and operational pragmatism. This collaboration transcends the typical "new ingredient rollout" by addressing three critical dimensions of institutional dining evolution: 1. Cultural Translation Without Lost-in-Translation We're transforming Chef Pierre Thiam culinary expertise into language that institutional kitchens understand: scalable recipes, familiar applications, and prep techniques that don't require a culinary anthropology degree. When students ask "what's this?" the answer comes with context, not just calories. 2. Implementation That Respects Both Tradition and Throughput Our approach acknowledges the reality that cultural heritage must still fit on a steam table. We're creating pathways that honor fonio's lineage while recognizing the constraints of high-volume service environments where "authentic" and "efficient" must peacefully coexist. 3. Impact Metrics Beyond Instagram-Worthy Plating We're establishing measurement frameworks that connect institutional purchasing decisions to tangible sustainability outcomes—because today's diners want to know their lunch choice somehow made the world marginally less catastrophic. This partnership represents institutional dining's evolution from mere sustenance to system change—where ingredients tell stories, create connections, and occasionally, surprise the person who walked in just looking for "whatever's fastest."

For me, food has always been more than what’s on the plate—it’s how we connect, tell stories, and shape culture. Writing this piece was a chance to dive into the trends shaping identity and driving innovation in 2025—and the opportunities they create for bold brands ready to lead. Here are the seven trends redefining the future of food: 1?? Sustainability: Honoring the land and creating impact. (MeliBio) 2?? Plant-Based: Whole ingredients with uncompromising flavors. (Ex. Madly Hadley Fabalish) 3?? Non-Alcoholic Beverages: Celebration elevated with clarity and intention. (Ex: SWISH COCKTAILS) 4?? Functional Foods: Everyday wellness seamlessly woven into routines. (Ex. ELEVATE Beverages Rejuvenation) 5?? Global Flavors: Ingredients that proudly celebrate their roots. (Ex: Uncle Waithleys Beverage Company, Bowlcut, Poi Dog Sauces) 6?? Swicy & Swalty: Flavor mashups that spark curiosity and demand. (Ex. Vosges Haut-Chocolat) 7?? Ready-to-Eat: Convenience elevated with creativity and quality. (Ex. BAOZZA!) I’m inspired by the brands leading this transformation—and proud to work with some of the best at Topi Ventures (listed above). ?? Explore these trends in my latest piece:?https://lnkd.in/g4dBTEVv Which trend resonates most with you? Are you seeing these shifts in your own work or everyday life? I’d love to hear your perspective—comment below.

Topi was honored to be part of the first-ever Ingredient Idol: Food and Beverage Edition at SupplySide West 2024! Co-Founder, Nadia Kemal, joined Daniel Scharff (Startup CPG) and Sam Kressler (Stir Innovation) to judge some of the most innovative ideas pushing the boundaries in CPG, ingredients, and emerging tech.?Congratulations to all the winners! Food Winner Judges and People’s Choice: ROVITARIS Binding Solution (RBS) by ICL Group Beverage Winners Judges: Titan Sweet by foodguys People’s Choice: Zynamite S by PLT Health Solutions Grateful to SupplySide Network and Audarshia Townsend for the platform to share Topi’s vision and spotlight these groundbreaking brands. Exciting things are on the horizon—stay tuned. https://lnkd.in/gTfYiQ-d #TopiVentures #CPGInnovation #supplysidewest

Announcing our Strategic Partnership with Good Now Foods At Topi Ventures, we’re passionate about building bridges for purpose-driven brands to thrive across the consumer landscape. That’s why we’re thrilled to partner with Good Now Foods to create new pathways in CPG that connect people with wellness-focused products, both on shelves and beyond. With Good Now Foods’ retail expertise and our reach in foodservice, this partnership goes beyond channel distribution—it’s about creating experiences that resonate with consumers in meaningful ways. Together, we’re working to amplify the impact of brands that prioritize sustainability, innovation, and health. ? Read more about our journey in our latest blog post, and join us as we champion the next generation of CPG brands that are shaping the future of how we eat, drink, and live. https://lnkd.in/gWmKg-p6 James Pippin and the Good Now Foods team, let's go!! ?? #TopiVentures #GoodNowFoods #CPGInnovation #Wellness

“We're not gonna fix the food system by chasing people with a stick and yelling at them to turn vegan," says Darko Mandich, CEO of MeliBio. "We're gonna fix the food system by making products that people love—indistinguishable from the traditional source that people are used to." At MeliBio, Darko and his team are proving this vision possible by creating a bee-free honey that preserves the familiar taste of honey while championing sustainability. Their approach offers an inspiring model for food innovation—creating products that respect both consumers and the planet—and tastes incredible. It’s innovations like these that drive us at Topi and make founders like Darko Mandich and Aaron M. Schaller, PhD incredible partners. We’re proud to support MeliBio as they redefine honey production through the power of fermentation. Read more about MeliBio and other fermentation pioneers in the San Francisco Business Times: https://lnkd.in/gZxtyNaE #SustainableFood #FoodInnovation #BeeFreeHoney #TopiVentures

Announcing our Strategic Partnership with Good Now Foods At Topi Ventures, we’re passionate about building bridges for purpose-driven brands to thrive across the consumer landscape. That’s why we’re thrilled to partner with Good Now Foods to create new pathways in CPG that connect people with wellness-focused products, both on shelves and beyond. With Good Now Foods’ retail expertise and our reach in foodservice, this partnership goes beyond channel distribution—it’s about creating experiences that resonate with consumers in meaningful ways. Together, we’re working to amplify the impact of brands that prioritize sustainability, innovation, and health. ? Read more about our journey in our latest blog post, and join us as we champion the next generation of CPG brands that are shaping the future of how we eat, drink, and live. https://lnkd.in/gWmKg-p6 James Pippin and the Good Now Foods team, let's go!! ?? #TopiVentures #GoodNowFoods #CPGInnovation #Wellness

Two of our Topi Ventures portfolio brands, Baozza and Madly Hadley, are featured in Whole Foods Market’s “The Next Big Things: Top 10 Food Trends of 2025.” Baozza’s bold fusion of bao and pizza, paired with Madly Hadley’s vision for transforming plant-based foods using whole ingredients, reflect a future where innovation and sustainability shape every bite. This recognition from WholeFoods affirms the impact these brands are making. Congratulations to Madelyn Hadley of Madly Hadley and Alex Cree of BAOZZA! and your respective teams. #TopiVentures #FoodTrends2025 #WholeFoods #Innovation #FutureOfFood

At Topi Ventures, we believe the future of consumer products lies in innovation that’s both meaningful and sustainable. Our story began with a vision to elevate brands that are not only first in their category, but also committed to transforming the food and wellness landscape. We partner with founders who are ready to break through the noise, offering the strategic support and industry expertise needed to scale in the highly competitive foodservice space. At Topi, we see beyond immediate challenges to build a foundation for long-term success—one that benefits both people and the planet. If you’re a founder looking to shape the future of CPG, we invite you to explore how our journey began and how we can help propel yours: https://lnkd.in/gg5gygxF Let's redefine what’s possible in CPG innovation.