Australia’s v2food Acquires US Daring Foods, Partners with Ajinomoto for Global Plant-Based Expansion

Australian plant-based meat company v2food has acquired US-based vegan chicken brand Daring Foods and entered a strategic partnership with Japanese food giant Ajinomoto to expand globally and develop next-generation clean protein products. Daring Foods, which holds a significant market share in the US unbreaded plant chicken category and operates under its own brand, will serve as a platform for v2food to launch products in the US. The partnership with Ajinomoto leverages the Japanese company's century of food science expertise to advance protein transition efforts in Asia, Africa, and emerging markets. v2food's CEO Tim York emphasized the combination of their proprietary food technology with Daring's market presence and Ajinomoto's scale as a powerful platform for sustainable nutrition without compromising taste or quality. Early investor Jack Cowin predicted industry rationalization with plant-based meat companies joining forces to scale and meet consumer demands for nutritious, affordable, and planet-friendly food. The collaboration highlights v2food's ambition to become a global leader in plant-based protein by integrating innovation, sustainability, and broad market reach.