Danone’s investment arm Danone Manifesto Ventures is reportedly looking to invest in 20-25 companies by 2020, particularly targeting innovative start-ups, according to Reuters.

Speaking to Reuters, the managing director of Danone Manifesto Ventures Laurent Marcel said that the company would focus on a wide range of sectors in the food and beverage industry, from infant nutrition brands to alternative protein sources.

Since it was established in 2016, the investment arm has funded companies such as coconut water brand Harmless Harvest, ‘deep ocean water’ brand Kona Deep and organic baby food brand Yooji, among others.

The arm was inaugurated to find and invest in innovative companies that are responding to industry trends such as the health and wellness trend by producing unique and innovative products, and Marcel hinted that alternative proteins could be a key segment for the company.

Marcel said: “Our ambition is to make between six and seven investments per year. We could have a portfolio of 20-25 companies by 2020.

“Finding new protein sources will be a big challenge for the planet in coming years.

“Many companies are searching for non-animal proteins. This is typically a sector we could invest in.

“One of our long-term ambitions is to be able to say ‘such and such a company came to Danone and it was a game changer.'”