SVO raises $15m in funding round for investment in plant upgrades

US-based meat company Shenandoah Valley Organic (SVO) has raised $15m for its Farmer Focus brand in a recent funding round.

It intends to use this to make investments in plant upgrades, with the goal of increasing throughput volumes.

The company intends to use the capital raised to develop its Farmer Focus brand. It also hopes to increase sales of its value-added products in grocery stores and retail locations across the US.

Established in 2014, SVO produces clean label and organic meat products.

SVO CEO Corwin Heatwole said: “We are pleased to add investors and advisors to the SVO team who share in our vision and mission and offer deep expertise across the retail and supply chain.

“This investment will enable SVO to continue expanding our retail footprint and Farmer Focus brand offerings.”

Venture capital firm NRV led the funding round. It included new participants such as Open Prairie and existing investors including S2G Ventures and Middleland Capital’s VTC Innovation Fund.

Open Prairie participated in the round through the growth-stage private equity fund, Open Prairie Rural Opportunities Fund. This fund provides capital to agribusiness companies based in rural locations of the US.

NRV managing director Laura Markley said: “Shenandoah Valley Organic is an incredible growth story out of Harrisonburg, VA, and NRV is excited to be part of their future as they continue to expand the Farmer Focus organic meat brand.

“Their best-in-class traceability links products on the shelf back to the specific family farm that sourced them, providing transparency along with a high-quality, clean-label, organic product.”