British multinational groceries and general merchandise retailer, Tesco, is committing £20 million to a new venture capital fund aimed at accelerating innovation across the UK food sector. The investment links the retailer with Bramble Fund I, giving selected startups a route to test products and services through Tesco’s supply chain as the fund targets £100 million.
According to Reuters, the fund, launched by Leon Restaurants co-founder, Henry Dimbleby, is designed to back companies developing products and technologies that make food healthier, more sustainable and more affordable.
Bramble Fund I is targeting £100 million in capital. Its first close also attracts support from business leaders including former Schroders chief executive officer, Peter Harrison, and co-founder of ingredients business, Belazu, Adam Wells.
Under the Tesco-Bramble partnership, businesses backed by the fund are able to test their products and services across Tesco’s supply chain. The retailer said the most successful ventures would receive support to scale.
The arrangement gives early-stage food and technology companies access to a major retail network at a time when the sector is under pressure to improve affordability, sustainability and product quality. For Tesco, the commitment adds a strategic route to source innovation beyond traditional supplier relationships.
Bramble’s first investment is KluraLabs, a British technology company whose packaging is designed to keep food fresh for longer. That focus highlights the fund’s interest in practical tools that can reduce waste and improve efficiency across the food industry.
“In our earlier coverage of mounting global food security risks, we explained how conflict disruptions, climate shocks and higher financing costs are straining supply chains while aid cutbacks leave key UN food programmes with fewer resources. We also highlighted warnings that weaker monitoring and preparedness could amplify price spikes and hunger risks in vulnerable regions over the next few years,” the firm said.
