Oatly secures $200m equity investment in BXG-led funding round

Swedish oat drink company Oatly has secured $200m equity investment in a funding round led by Blackstone Growth (BXG).

The investment will be used to strengthen its plant-based movement and for business expansion in current markets.

Oatly also has plans to develop production plants in the US, Europe and Asia.

Investors that participated in the funding round include Oprah Winfrey, Roc Nation, Natalie Portman, former Starbucks chairman and CEO Howard Schultz, Orkila Capital and Rabo Corporate Investments.

These investors will join the existing partners Verlinvest-CR JV and the company’s founders as minority stakeholders.

Oatly CEO Toni Petersson said: “Leaders in asset management like Blackstone play an essential role to create real sustainable change. It is my belief that capital has to turn green and do so for the right reasons.

“Since we re-launched our brand in 2013, our focus has been to positively impact society by enabling people to change their lives with better, more environmentally responsible food choices, and in so doing, re-shape the food system to better contribute to the future of the planet.

“We chose to partner with Blackstone Growth because of their tremendous resources and unique reach. Our new partners’ commitment to supporting us and furthering of our mission is a clear indication of where the world is heading, which is in a new, more sustainable direction.”

In addition, Oatly’s founders will re-invest with additional capital in support of the company’s growth.