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Daring Foods develops and distributes plant-based chicken products, directly replacing conventional chicken. Their offerings include versatile pieces, wings, and microwavable options, formulated from clean, non-GMO ingredients. The company focuses on authentic taste and texture, providing a protein-rich, low-calorie alternative that seamlessly integrates healthier, sustainable choices into consumer diets.
Ross Mackay, CEO and co-founder, along with Eliott Kessas, established Daring Foods in Los Angeles in 2018. They recognized a clear market for high-quality plant-based alternatives that authentically replicate animal protein. Their insight was to simplify the shift to a plant-forward diet by offering an uncompromising, delicious plant chicken.
Daring Foods serves consumers seeking convenient, healthy meals and restaurants diversifying their menus. The company's mission is to make plant-based eating accessible and effortless, positioning its products as a direct, intuitive substitute for traditional chicken. Its long-term vision aims to drive a fundamental shift in the global food system towards sustainable, ethical food production.
Daring Foods has raised $114.0M across 3 funding rounds.
Daring Foods has raised $114.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Daring Foods has raised $114.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Daring Foods's investors include Founders Fund, Battery Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners, Dragoneer Investment Group, Index Ventures, Tiger Global Management, Katy Perry, Mark Gillespie, Cam Newton, Chase Coleman, Naomi Osaka, Steve Aoki.
Daring Foods is a food technology company specializing in plant-based chicken substitutes that mimic the taste and texture of real chicken using ingredients like soy protein, sunflower oil, salt, and natural flavors.[1][2][6] It serves retail consumers (via major grocers like Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, and Albertsons) and foodservice providers, addressing the demand for sustainable, flexitarian-friendly proteins amid environmental concerns over animal agriculture.[1][3][5] The company, founded in 2019 and headquartered in Culver City, California, reached Series C stage with $124.44M raised (including a $65M round in 2021), generated ~$30M in annual revenue pre-acquisition, and held 44.9% U.S. market share in unbreaded plant-based chicken as of recent data.[1][3][5] In 2025, Australian firm v2food acquired Daring to scale U.S. operations, retain its brand, and partner with Ajinomoto for global expansion into frozen meals and next-gen proteins, driving 24% revenue growth in 2023 via new SKUs like Teriyaki pieces and Fly by Jing entrees despite category declines.[2][3][4][5]
Daring Foods was founded in 2018 (or 2019 per some records) by Ross Mackay, a Scottish entrepreneur who moved to the U.S. to launch the venture, with co-founder and COO Andrew O’Donnell.[1][3][6][7] Mackay, previously noted for later founding Cadence (an electrolyte drink), identified a gap in plant-based proteins focusing on chicken—a staple protein—aiming for superior taste and texture over existing alternatives.[1][6] Early traction came from rapid funding ($120M+ total, valuing it at $329M in 2021) and distribution to thousands of U.S. stores, establishing it as the #1 unbreaded plant chicken brand.[1][3][5] Pivotal moments include 2023 product launches in frozen entrees and foodservice patties for consumer testing, culminating in the 2025 v2food acquisition to leverage combined tech for global scaling.[2][4][5]
Daring rides the plant-based protein wave, capitalizing on rising demand for sustainable alternatives to chicken—the world's most consumed meat—amid pressures to feed 10 billion people with lower environmental impact.[1][4] Timing aligns with post-2021 category resets, where leaders like Daring thrive via proven demand and tech, while v2food's acquisition counters consolidation by blending Aussie scale with U.S. consumer love.[2][3][5] Market forces favoring it include clean-label trends, retail expansion, and partnerships (e.g., Fly by Jing, foodservice), influencing the ecosystem by accelerating hybrid models—plant-based retail + innovation platforms—that challenge incumbents like Impossible Foods and pave for global protein shifts.[4][5][7]
Daring's v2food integration positions it for accelerated U.S./global growth, with Ajinomoto enabling next-gen clean-label innovations like affordable frozen meals and simpler formulations.[2][4] Trends like flexitarian adoption, foodservice trials, and sustainability mandates will shape its path, potentially expanding beyond chicken into broader proteins. Its influence may evolve from U.S. niche leader to global platform, sustaining momentum if it navigates category volatility—much like its origin as a bold chicken disruptor now scaling worldwide.[3][5]
Daring Foods has raised $114.0M across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $65.0M Series C in October 2021.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2021 | $65.0M Series C | Founders Fund | Battery Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners, Dragoneer Investment Group, Index Ventures, Tiger Global Management, Katy Perry, Mark Gillespie, Cam Newton, Chase Coleman, Naomi Osaka, Steve Aoki, D1 Capital Partners |
| May 1, 2021 | $40.0M Series B | Michael Tully | Foundry Group, Maveron, Bill Smith, Drake, Palm Tree Crew |
| Sep 1, 2020 | $9.0M Series A | Maveron | Footwork, Foundry Group, Tiger Global Management, Bill Smith, Chung Ng, Jeffrey Lam, Steve Aoki, Brian Swette, Mike Smith, Good Friends, Kyrre Gørvell-Dahll, Stray Dog Capital |