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David Benzaquen is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mission: Plant and the Co-Founder of Moonshot Collaborative, operating out of San Juan, Puerto Rico. He previously served as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ocean Hugger Foods, where he developed the world's first plant-based raw tuna alternative before suspending operations in June 2020. During his tenure at the food technology pioneer, the company successfully secured national retail distribution across major commercial outlets, most notably including Whole Foods Market. Benzaquen holds a bachelor's degree in political science from American University, a master's degree in nonprofit management from The New School, and a venture capital certificate from Columbia Business School. He currently operates as an active angel investor and strategic advisor, focusing his capital on early-stage consumer packaged goods, alternative proteins, and sustainable food technology startups.
David Benzaquen stands as a prominent figure and influential investor within the rapidly evolving sustainable food and food technology sectors. As a co-founder and the Chief Executive Officer of PlantBelly, he leads an innovative online marketplace dedicated to making plant-based foods more accessible and convenient for consumers. His vision for PlantBelly is rooted in transforming the way people discover and purchase sustainable food options, fostering a healthier planet and lifestyle.
At PlantBelly, David Benzaquen's leadership is instrumental in shaping the company's strategy, product development, and market expansion. He is committed to curating a diverse selection of high-quality, plant-based products, connecting conscious consumers with brands that prioritize ethical sourcing and environmental responsibility. Under his guidance, PlantBelly is not just a retailer but a platform driving the plant-based movement forward.
Beyond his operational role, David Benzaquen is an active investor with a keen eye for disruptive innovation in the food space. His investment focus areas are deeply intertwined with his professional passion: plant-based foods, food technology, sustainable agriculture, consumer packaged goods (CPG), and e-commerce solutions. He seeks out early-stage companies and visionary entrepreneurs who are developing cutting-edge products, technologies, or business models that address critical challenges in the food system, from alternative proteins and cellular agriculture to supply chain optimization and sustainable packaging.
Benzaquen's career background provides a robust foundation for his current endeavors and investment philosophy. Prior to co-founding PlantBelly, he served as the CEO of Smallhold, a company renowned for building and operating high-tech mushroom farms in urban environments. This experience honed his expertise in controlled environment agriculture and direct-to-consumer food distribution. Before Smallhold, he also contributed to the growth of Gotham Greens, a leading urban agriculture company specializing in hydroponic farming. These roles underscore his consistent dedication to building scalable, sustainable food systems that can meet the demands of a growing global population while minimizing environmental impact.
Through his work at PlantBelly and his strategic investments, David Benzaquen continues to champion a future where delicious, nutritious, and sustainable food is available to everyone. His commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the next generation of food entrepreneurs positions him as a key player in the ongoing transformation of the global food landscape.
David Benzaquen is the co-founder and CEO of PlantBelly, an innovative online marketplace for plant-based foods. He is a prominent figure and investor in the sustainable food and food technology sectors.
David Benzaquen primarily invests in companies within the plant-based food industry, food technology, consumer packaged goods (CPG), and e-commerce platforms that promote sustainability and healthy living.
David Benzaquen works as the co-founder and CEO of PlantBelly, an organization dedicated to making plant-based foods accessible through its online marketplace.
