Backing innovation in baked goods
Batch Ventures is a partnership between Warburtons, the UK’s largest bakery brand, and Mission Ventures.
Are you working on the next great idea in baked or baking products? If so we’d like to hear from you.
Batch Ventures is a partnership between Warburtons, the UK’s largest bakery brand, and Mission Ventures.
We’re investing in promising Founders to help scale their brands. Batch Ventures combines the entrepreneurial experience of the team at Mission Ventures with the industry knowledge and reach of Warburtons. This is a dynamic new approach to backing food entrepreneurs and their brands to achieve the scale they are capable of.
If you would like to be considered for investment, then please contact us using the form provided. We will aim to be back to you in a couple of working days to discuss your expression of interest.
+ Click here for FAQ's 🍞
+ Who are Batch Ventures?
Batch Ventures LLP is a 50:50 joint venture between Mission Ventures and Warburtons and has been established to back the most exciting innovation coming from entrepreneurs working on baking-related products. We are actively investing in a small range of businesses where we feel there is scope to scale through a combination of equity investment and practical business support from the partners.
+ What product categories are in scope?
We are looking specifically for products that relate to baking, and these comprise the following:
- Sweet & savoury baked snacks (biscuits, crackers, extruded products)
- Cakes and cake mixes
- Bread and bread mixes
- Gluten-free bakery products
- Grain-based snack bars
- Any of the above that may be raw, semi-raw or cold-pressed
+ What stage companies are you interested in backing?
We are looking at businesses at all stages of their development. You may be pre-revenue but you must have some proof of concept for your product. However, if you have been trading for several years we will also be interested. You must be looking for investment that can help impact your business growth and be anticipating an exit.
+ Will you invest?
Batch Ventures LLP will take a minority stake-holding in those businesses that are approved by our joint Investment Committee. We would typically invest £50,000 to £250,000 initially but will consider each case on its merits.
+ What support is available?
Businesses that we back will not only receive investment but will also qualify for a full programme of mentoring and business support from the experienced team of fellow-entrepreneurs at Mission Ventures. This includes the intensive business review that comes with our MissionMap over a twelve week period and is backed-up by on-going access to the team at Mission Ventures. Founders will also have access to the technical expertise at Warburtons as well as other support where appropriate to assist your business growth.
There is no charge for the business support programme in year one, but a small management fee will apply from year two for as long as the LLP holds shares in your business.
+ Who are Mission Ventures?
Mission Ventures is the UK’s leading independent operator of food & drink accelerator programmes, with a board that comprises over 80 years of industry experience along with combined exit values over £50m for challenger brands they have independently co-founded, such as Plum Baby, New Covent Garden Soup, Little Dish and Ape Snacks. Mission Ventures is also the Accelerator partner for The Good Food Fund, an impact programme established by Big Society Capital and Impact on Urban Health to back healthier challenger brands in tackling childhood obesity via market-led solutions.
+ Who are Warburtons?
Established in 1876, Warburtons is a fifth generation family business which is still owned and managed by Jonathan, Ross and Brett Warburton. The business has more than doubled in size over the last 20 years to become the UK’s largest bakery as well as the fifth largest and most purchased food brand in the UK. Recognised as leading innovation in the baked goods category, half their sales now come from other wrapped bakery products such as crumpets, bagels and thins. Warburtons has 27 sites across the country and delivers over 2m products to over 20,000 stores each day via their own fleet.
+ What happens after I express my interest?
You will receive automatic email acknowledgement of your application and we will aim to be in touch within two working days to discuss your application. If we do not feel this is the right time or opportunity for investment from Batch then we will tell you. If we are interested to learn more we will ask you to submit further details including a business plan.
