In this article, we’re exploring the UK’s top snack and confectionery companies according to investment raised. In addition to this, we break down the industry’s performance by region, the amount it adds to the local and national economy, and uncover which funds are investing most in Britain’s sweet and savoury treats.

Let’s get into it.

Investment trends in snacks and confectionery companies

Investment figures

Since 2011, when we started tracking investment figures, snack and confectionery companies have raised over £316m in total. The industry has seen growth in investment almost every year, with a small handful of exceptions, most notably 2020 — for obvious reasons — and 2024.

In fact, 2024 saw the lowest figures in both numbers and value of fundraisings since 2015. In 2023, over £110m was invested in the sector — that’s over a third of the industry’s total investment, all in one year.

So what’s behind this huge uptick in growth? The UK may be a nation of shopkeepers, and enjoy our fair share of sweet treats, but at the heart of these numbers is a huge Huel-sized elephant in the room.

Huel raised £82.5m in October 2023 — on Halloween no less — which accounted for around three quarters of last year’s total investment. The company also secured £19.6m in 2022, following its huge £20m injection of cash in 2018. These represent the three largest raises ever in the sector and account for the spikes in 2018, 2022, and 2023.

Let’s now examine the funds that are the most prevalent investors in snack and confectionery companies.

Biggest investors in snack and confectionery companies

Crowdfunding is a key source of investment funding for early-stage snack and confectionery companies in the UK. When we look at the figures, Crowdcube and Republic Europe (formerly Seedrs) top the number of fundraising rounds with 44 and 25 rounds respectively.

From here, there is a notable drop off with the next most prevalent investors being Dragons’ Den, SFC Capital, and UK Steel Enterprise, all with just three rounds each.

The picture is slightly different when we assess the total value invested by funds. US-based investor Morgan Stanley tops the table with £82.5m invested, following last year’s Huel deal. In second place, Highland Europe has invested £39.6m in the industry. This is then followed by Republic Europe (£29.0m) and Crowdcube (£8.53m) due to their volume of activity in the sector.

Investment by region

According to our data, 172 active companies operating in the snacks and confectionery industry have received equity investment, with the average valuation across these companies sitting at £5.95m.

Unsurprisingly, almost 46% of these companies are based in London, whilst the South East (17.4%) and the East of England (7.6%) make up the top three. And as one might expect, the majority of investment goes to companies in those regions too.

However, we’ve also measured the average amount of investment in the UK’s regions, by dividing the total investment with the number of companies operating there. This arguably tells a more interesting story.

The East of England, thanks to that 2023 Huel deal, sees an average of £10.6m invested per company, but once we look beyond that, the following regions include the West Midlands (£1.7m), London (£1.4m), and the North West (£951k).

Top 10 Confectionery Companies in the UK

Here, we’ve ranked the UK’s top snack and confectionery companies according to equity investment raised.

10. Oppo Brothers

Total amount raised: £4.23m
Established: 2013
Location: London

Oppo Brothers has developed a range of luxury low-calorie ice creams, crafted from coconut oil and artificial sweetener.

Established in 2013, the confectionery company has raised a total of £4.23m across six fundraisings, with almost £3m of this investment coming in 2019. The business also featured in the 2021 edition of the Financial Times’ FT 1000 fastest growing companies.

9. Boundless

Total amount raised: £4.26m
Established: 2017
Location: Wiltshire

Wiltshire-based Boundless produces a range of gut-friendly snacks that contain activated nuts and seeds. Since its founding in 2017, the business has raised £4.26m across eight rounds of fundraising.

Its latest round, totalling £1.64m, included investment from Graze co-founder Ben Jones and saw the company valued at £11.1m.

8. The Curators

Total amount raised: £4.62m
Established: 2017
Location: London

The Curators produces a range of savoury snacks, from biltong to high-protein crisps. With one acquisition and a recent appearance on Alantra’s Food and Beverage Fast 50, the company has also secured £4.62m in fundraising across five rounds.

And with an age diversity on the board of directors, the company has received a social and governance signal on our platform.

7. Hackney Gelato

Total amount raised: £5.19m
Established: 2017
Location: London

The second of ice cream-themed confectionery companies on this list, Hackney Gelato produces ice creams and sorbets using traditional Italian methods.

Since 2020, the company has raised £5.19m over five rounds, with participants including Crowdcube and Pembroke VCT. Our latest data from the company’s fundraising in July 2024 values the company at £6.35m.

6. WNWN Food Labs

Total amount raised: £5.38m
Established: 2021
Location: London

“The future of chocolate is delicious, ethical, and sustainable”. That’s according to Foodtech firm WNWN Food Labs, which produces sustainable cacao-free chocolate. With £5.38m in equity raised, secures the number six slot on our list.

Featured in The FoodTech 500 2023 high-growth list, our data on the company’s latest fundraising has the company valued at £18.4m.

5. Northern Bloc

Total amount raised: £5.57m
Established: 2014
Location: Leeds

Leeds-based Northern Bloc produces a range of ice creams containing natural ingredients. With £5.57m raised across 9 rounds of fundraising, the company was acquired in June 2024 by wholesaler Bidcorp UK.

Prior to this exit, the company made two acquisitions of its own in 2023.

4. Proper

Total amount raised: £7.52m
Established: 2009
Location: Nuneaton

Proper, known for its popular popcorn and crisp snacks, has raised a total of £7.52m across 3 rounds, featuring on two high-growth lists — the FT 1000 in 2017 and the FT Future 100 UK in 2018.

The business has since exited via an acquisition by Exponent in 2021.

3. Love Cocoa

Total amount raised: £8.85m
Established: 2015
Location: London

Founded by James Cadbury — the great-great-great grandson of famed chocolatier John Cadbury — Love Cocoa is third on our list of snack and confectionery companies. With £8.85m raised, the majority of which came in two rounds in 2022 and 2023, the business produces chocolate bars that can be purchased online.

2. Nurture Brands

Total amount raised: £14.5m
Established: 2014
Location: London

London-based Nurture Brands takes the second spot with £14.5m raised across ten rounds in its ten-year lifespan. During that time, the company has had one management buy-in and made seven acquisitions, including last year’s acquisition of The Juice Executive.

The company, which operates several brands of plant-based snacks, is worth £30.3m according to our latest data.

1. Huel

Total amount raised: £123m
Established: 2012
Location: Tring

Huel, famed for its meal replacement powder, also produces a range of healthy snack bars and is now a giant in the nutritional snack space.

With no fewer than seven appearances on high growth lists, and over £123m in investment racked up over five rounds, Huel is number one on our list — and as of our latest data, the company is worth £394m. Its latest fundraising from Morgan Stanley is designed to help the brand break into the United States.

The future of snack and confectionery companies

Despite a pronounced drop in investment in 2024, the snack and confectionery industry is in good health. In fact, emerging investment trends presented in this article suggest that the future of the industry may well be health-conscious and sustainable snack brands.

Ethical production and plant-based innovations feature widely in the companies listed, with investors responding to an expanding consumer demand. As investment patterns evolve — especially with growing interest from international funds and regions outside London gaining traction — the snack and confectionery industry will continue to diversify in its production.

Expert Advice: How GS Verde Group supports snack and confectionary businesses

The UK continues to see the snack and confectionery industry thrive, as innovative brands capture the attention of consumers and investors.

Beauhurst’s research demonstrates that businesses in this sector look for valuable opportunities to scale in preparation for buying, selling or raising investment.

As a multi-discipline corporate advisory firm, GS Verde Group supports businesses in this sector through every stage of a transaction.

Our joined-up team of corporate finance, legal, tax, accountancy and communications work seamlessly together to provide valuable advice and deliver real outcomes for future success.

To explore more, visit: Top 10 Snack and Confectionery Companies in the UK - Beauhurst