Brota Superfoods Secures $630,000 from Manutara Ventures

Chilean foodtech company Brota Superfoods has been awarded $630,000 in investment from venture capital firm Manutara Ventures, after winning the second annual Manutara Ventures Challenge. The funding will support Brota’s expansion into the U.S. market, starting with an entry in Miami. Founded in 2015 by Hermann Hinrichsen and Nicolás Alfsen, Brota develops plant-based foods using artificial intelligence to create products aimed at health-conscious consumers seeking nutrient-dense options.

Brota was chosen among five finalist startups in the challenge, which concluded with a pitch event at Miami’s Venture Café, attended by over 100 angel investors and venture capital representatives. This award also grants Brota access to Manutara’s soft landing program, developed in collaboration with CORFO (Chile’s Economic Development Agency) and the Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC), to aid Latin American startups in scaling internationally.

Cristian Olea, Managing Partner at Manutara Ventures, expressed confidence in Brota’s U.S. market potential, emphasizing the strength of the company’s innovative approach to functional foods. In addition to the investment in Brota, Manutara committed to exploring funding opportunities with other promising finalists, continuing the fund’s focus on supporting scalable technology-driven businesses across Latin America.

For the 2024 challenge, Manutara Ventures expanded its outreach, inviting over 120 companies from across Latin America and beyond to apply. Following a virtual preparation phase, 20 startups participated in the program, with five finalists competing for the top investment prize. This approach aligns with Manutara’s strategy to support Latin American startups through both funding and global networking opportunities, facilitated by its connections within the Draper Venture Network.