THE WORK
PROFOUND Expertise in the Food and Fibre Value Chain
MERIKA boasts extensive experience in the food and fibre value chain, spearheading projects that drive transformation.
Here are some of our recent engagements:
The Savory Foundation: Co-creator and Non-Executive board member and special advisor on funding model for its mission to regenerate of up to 500 million hectares of Earth's grasslands.
Regenerate Asset Management: Operating partner. Fundraising and specialist advisor on value creation, innovative brand development, and ground-breaking national and international go-to-market strategies to de-commoditize the food and fibre supply chain.
RE:OCEAN Fund, Monaco: Specialist advisor to this new fund looking catalyse the next generation of ocean innovations to support the transition towards a net-zero, regenerative, and more equitable economy
EIT Climate KIC: The European Union’s climate innovation initiative. Specialist advisor on strategy, partnerships & fundraising.
Danish Sovereign Investment Fund (EIFO): Repurposed to apply a systemic impact lens the funds investment arm, including a DKK10 billion green allocation from the Danish Government.
Community Engagement Movements: Creator and partner in initiatives like Meat Free Mondays, Impact Soiree, and the Nordic Impact Investor Network (NIIN) to drive social and environmental change. In addition we invest and mentor companies for companies wanting to contribute to transforming the global ag-food system, directly and though networks like UNREASONABLE, SNOWBALL and BMW Foundation Herbert Quant.
PASSION & VALUES
We are passionate about helping organizations fully realize their green economy potential. By connecting them to their aspirations and stakeholders' values, we amplify their reach and impact while creating resilient business models.
At MERIKA, we believe in doing good by being good. We are committed to driving sustainable and impactful change across industries, ensuring a better future for all.
MOBILISING PARTNERSHIPS
At MERIKA, we work with all stakeholders in the food and fibre value chain, including founders, family-owned businesses, family offices, private equity firms, venture capitalists, corporates, and foundations.
We typically work on a min. 6 months+ assignment on a combination of fee and upside.
CONTACT US
CORE SERVICES
FOR FAMILY OFFICES, FUNDS & FOUNDATIONS ↓
Portfolio modelling and impact matrix design
Board work (NED)
Fundraising, pipelining and screening
STRATEGY & OPERATIONS↓
Value creation: Crafting the core proposition, positioning and product for markets in Europe and North America.
Existing brands: Re-thinking to deliver purpose and relevance in todays accelerated marketplace.
Creating partnership architecture and implementation
Regenerative business models
Some examples of these can be found in the section OUR CLIENTS
OUR CLIENTS
First project delivered during lock-down.
Re-imagining the future for Groupe DANONE in the Nordics - a dossier of visionary ideas and tactical recommendations for business transformation.
With more than 40 years of experience of building food brands with a purpose, MERIKA guides brands and its people to new, more resilient business models.
We were asked by NUMI founder Ahmed Rahim to create a European Strategy for NUMI Organic Teas
Crafted the strategy, implemented it creating a European logistics platform, the sales and marketing organisation for each of the 8 active markets and delivered and exceeded the customers' budgetary expectations for each year under management.
MERIKA was brought in to oversee the creation of the European strategy and organisation for this extraordinary, New Zealand-based social mission brand. We helped create the UK and broader EU business strategy which we subsequently successfully implemented in 5 markets.
MERIKA got given the unique opportunity to create a European go to market strategy for this iconic 150-year old Californian Chocolate Maker in spring 2016. With recommendations, ready 6 months later we were asked to set-up and manage the brand’s European subsidiary. Today we have launched this exclusive chocolate brand in 3 large European markets though foodservice as well as retail ensuring the optimum platform for brand’s longevity in each market.
In October 2014 was asked by Rebel Kitchen founder’s Tamara and Ben Arbib to help them set up Rebel’s European strategy. In 6 months, we created a strategy and prepared the brand’s launch into 7 EU markets including training an internal commercial team and bringing in key distribution partners.
MERIKA was asked by Daylesford founder, Lady Carole Bamford, to design a global strategy for the brand. Being a 'farm to fork' brand this presented obvious challenges. Nevertheless, we successfully developed a wholesale model for Europe and a franchise model for the café. Which was implemented with local investors and operating partners in Seoul, Munich and Tokyo. The international business was then under MERIKA management for 5 years following implementation.
MERIKA worked with Duchy Originals from 2002 to 2008. Working alongside the brand's founder and owner HRH Prince of Wales, MERIKA created Duchy's international wholesale strategy and implemented it in more than 20 markets worldwide which was managed by MERIKA for 7 years. We made the most of creating a tailored global distribution network which is remains the pillar of the brand's international business today, even following the brand’s sale to John Lewis Partnership.
MERIKA was asked by Berkeley-based Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker to manage the brand's expansion into the European markets. We successfully launched the brand into more than 10 markets and grew sales to more than $1M in 18 months. Scharffen Berger is recognised by the best chefs and chocolate connoisseurs in Europe as the pioneers of 'New World' chocolate and one of the first to introduce the 'bean to bar' concept. In late 2005 Hershey’s acquired the company.
From 2006 until 2015 MERIKA managed the worldwide license for the Linda McCartney brand on behalf of Sir Paul McCartney and Family. We created and evolutionised the global strategy for the brand managed and controlled the licensee and the workflow between the brand owners and the license holder.With such high-profile patrons it was paramount to protect the integrity of the brand as well as represent the interests of its patrons and work on a proactive basis with the licence holder.
MERIKA helped the management create a global strategy and lead a project team for the implementation of the brand’s first shop in Isetan department store in Shinjuku – Tokyo. It furthermore provided introduction to key Japanese partnerships and collaborations which are active today. Recently MERIKA project managed the creation of Bamford's range of Cold Press Juices for their Haybarn Spa's.
Cojean has for the past 20 years been a point of reference in the Parisian natural and organic lunch café business, positioned as the luxury version of the UK-based Pret a Manger. MERIKA was asked by the founding partners to create a workshop helping COJEAN to think about where to expand next. We then created a market study of two hubs of interest and organised trips for the founders to one of these. MERIKA is seen as part of the COJEAN development team for the concept and brand outside Paris.
Sealand Natural Resources has the potential to revolutionise the global soft drinks industry. MERIKA has been instrumental in securing $1.5 M in additional funding for the brand. In addition MERIKA is working as a key advisor to the Nasdaq listed company and is working on the global strategy to find a strategic distribution partner for the Sealand Birk line of Birch Tree Juice.
Princess Marina Colonna asked MERIKA to help create a stronger profile for the brand in Europe, North America and Australia. Working with existing distributors and new partners, MERIKA created a global marketing and communication strategy, which was implemented locally in more than 10 markets. Colonna is recognised worldwide as some of the best extra virgin olive oil of single origin. It was furthermore the first brand to blend the oils with infused citrus and herb flavouring.
From its conception as one spectacular restaurant in Hanway Place in London, the Hakkasan Group has now successfully expanded globally harvesting Michelin stars and much acclaim from Las Vegas to Abu Dhabi. MERIKA advised the global CEO of Hakkasan and his management team on Latin American expansion, introducing the brand to several key locations and potential partners (investors, managers and operators).