Eight Food and Drink Startups Primed for a Takeover

Celsius’ $1.8 billion purchase of influencer-founded energy drink brand Alani Nu last month sparked fresh hope among investors in startups touting healthier versions of mainstream food and beverage brands. Among the fast-growing brands that could be the next targets for purchase are Good Culture, which sells cottage cheese packaged in single servings, and Chomps, which is targeting $1 billion in retail sales of meat sticks and other snacks this year, according to its co-founder.

The consumer deals market is generally sluggish, but the bright spots are trendy categories like high-protein snacks or low-sugar soda, bankers say. And Celsius’ acquisition shows big companies have money to spend for the right brand.