Celeb-Backed Vegan Startup Stretches Portfolio with Takeover of Fellow Dairy-Free Cheese Producer

California-based plant-based food maker Misha’s Inc has acquired New York-based Vertage, a vegan cheese producer, in a bid to expand its dairy-free portfolio. The acquisition will allow Misha’s to offer sliced and shredded cheese options in addition to their existing spreadable cheeses. With investments from QVT Financial LP, Composite Capital Partners LLC, Gaingels, and Fresh Del Monte, Misha’s is set to leverage Vertage’s collaboration with Fresh Del Monte to enhance its product lineup and operations.

Misha’s was founded in 2018 with a focus on nut-based cheese spreads free from coconut or palm oil, soy, gluten, and nutritional yeast. The company raised $3 million in funding in 2021 and currently offers a range of cheeses in over 1,100 retail stores. Vertage, founded by chef Margaux Riccio, uses traditional cheesemaking techniques and mushroom fermentation to create dairy-free cheeses. The acquisition will allow both companies to consolidate operations, expand their offerings, and tap into the growing market for plant-based cheese alternatives.