• Neat Food Co, a UK-based plant-based fast-food chain backed by Lewis Hamilton, announced that actor Leonardo DiCaprio has joined the company as a strategic investor. Leonardo DiCaprio, a well-known environmental campaigner, believes that disrupting the system with sustainable alternatives is critical to lowering global emissions. He remarked that Neat Food's pioneering approach to alternative proteins is a terrific illustration of the type of solutions the world requires.

• The company also announced that it is gearing up for a USD 30 million series B funding round to help accelerate its expansion. The announcement is part of a slew of important advancements as the company begins a global expansion.  According to Neat Food, the Series B will mostly include US investors, with funding allocated to improve the company's CPG pipeline, development of new products, and recruitment.

<ul><li> Analyst QuickTake : Last week, Neat Burger announced its plans to open its first location in the US in autumn 2022, after a Neat Burger popup in Midtown, New York this month, with other US cities to follow. As part of its expansion plans in the US, the company recruited Vincent Herbert, the former CEO of Le Pain Quotidien, as CEO of Neat Burger US and Jeffrey S. Fried (former chairman of Sweetgreen) and Henrik Fjordbak (former COO of Joe & The Juice) to the brand's advisory board to help it achieve its environmental goals and to establish its presence in the US. Its strategic investor, Leonardo DiCaprio is also an investor and advocate for Beyond Meat.</ul>