Berlin, January 22, 2026 – YPOG provided comprehensive legal advice to FoodLabs on structuring its third venture capital fund. The fund was closed with a volume of over EUR 105 million.
FoodLabs is a European early-stage investor and venture studio specializing in investments in the areas of food, health, and sustainability. Its approach combines venture capital with active venture building and a strong industrial network. Investments are made along the entire value chain of the food industry – in particular in technologies, infrastructure, and scalable business models that efficiently bring innovation from research to market.
FoodLabs is further expanding this approach with its third fund. The fund is supported by strategic industry partners such as Rewe Group, Henkel, and Bitburger Holding, among others, and addresses topics such as agritechnological applications, industrial automation, new production and processing technologies, and market-ready solutions in the field of nutrition and health.
YPOG supported FoodLabs in particular with the structuring of the fund, including the design of the fund and management structure and the implementation of regulatory requirements.
"For initiators that combine venture capital and industrial co-investors with venture building, the structuring is significantly more complex than for traditional VC funds. The aim is to balance economic interests, governance structures, and regulatory requirements in such a way that they enable long-term growth while reflecting the strategic added value of industrial partners. FoodLabs has a very clear and professional approach here, which we were happy to support in structuring the third fund," says Jens Kretzschmann, partner at YPOG.
YPOG has already advised FoodLabs in the past on fund-related and structuring law issues.
About FoodLabs
FoodLabs is an early-stage venture capital fund and venture studio rooted in Europe, with a growing international presence. FoodLabs partners with founders to help turn scientific breakthroughs into industrially viable companies that contribute to a more resilient, secure, and healthy food system.
The team invests across the food value chain, combining early-stage capital with hands-on operational support from molecule to market. Founded in 2016, FoodLabs has supported more than 90 early-stage ventures, working alongside founders to navigate technical, regulatory, and operational complexity early.
Team
Jens Kretzschmann (Lead, Funds), Partner, Berlin
Michael Blank (Funds), Associated Partner, Berlin
Johannes Gehring (Funds), Associate, Berlin
Alina Shchukina (Funds), Legal Project Manager, Berlin
Contact
About us
YPOG stands for You + Partners of Gamechangers. As a leading law and tax firm, YPOG supports founders, investors, companies and funds in Germany and internationally in bringing visionary ideas to life in the tech ecosystem and dynamic future markets.
YPOG advises on the structuring of venture capital and private equity funds, financing rounds and complex transactions, as well as on regulatory and tax matters relating to digital assets and financial innovation. As a strategic partner, YPOG develops practical solutions of the highest legal standard.
The firm combines legal and tax expertise with legal tech, digital workflows and AI-based systems to provide efficient and scalable advice. YPOG and its professionals are regularly recognised by JUVE, Chambers and Partners, The Legal 500, Best Lawyers and Leaders League. More than 380 lawyers, tax advisers, tax specialists, one notary and business professionals work for YPOG across its offices in Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne and Munich.
Further information: www.ypog.law/en/ and www.linkedin.com/company/ypog