The group behind the Shicken range of plant-based Indian ready meals has scored further backing from specialist investment firm Veg Capital.
The firm led the new round at Plant Alternative with a £2m investment, earmarked to help the business scale further in the UK and overseas.
It follows a recent launch of the Shicken tikka kebab skewers at Costco.
Husband-and-wife team Parm and Satvinder Bains will use the funds to finance continued nationwide and international Costco launches, grow the core team to meet the expanding consumer base and move into a new production facility.
The dedicated vegan factory will help grow production volumes to up to 10 tonnes per day to keep up with demand for Shicken products from retailers and foodservice customers, as well as the direct-to-consumer operation.
Co-founder Satvinder said: “I can’t believe only 18 months ago I was making our Shicken meals on my kitchen dining table and now we are planning the build of our third manufacturing site. I can’t wait to see where we are in the next 18 months.”
Veg Capital is run by Veganuary founder Matthew Glover and invests primarily in early-stage plant-based companies developing products to help to remove animals from the food system.
Glover added: “Plant Alternative is really going from strength to strength and the successful Costco launch presents a massive opportunity to take the brand across the pond to the North American market.
“We have every confidence the Shicken brand will take off and fly over there, just has it has done here. The product range just keeps getting better and better.”
Since launching in June 2020, Veg Capital has invested about £20m in 30 plant-based companies, including Clive’s Purely Plants, Mighty Pea, This, Plantifull, Naked Snacks, Planty and One Planet Pizza.
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