{"id":393200,"date":"2020-12-03T16:33:07","date_gmt":"2020-12-03T21:33:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/?p=393200"},"modified":"2020-12-03T16:33:07","modified_gmt":"2020-12-03T21:33:07","slug":"central-garden-pet-launches-central-ventures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/central-garden-pet-launches-central-ventures\/","title":{"rendered":"Central Garden & Pet Launches Central Ventures"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Central Garden & Pet Launches Central Ventures<\/b><\/p>\n

The $20M Venture Capital Fund Seeks to Invest in the Future of the Garden and Pet Industries<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

WALNUT CREEK, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE<\/a>)–
\nCentral Garden & Pet (NASDAQ: CENT, CENTA) (\u201cCentral\u201d) announced today that it has launched Central Ventures, a venture fund dedicated to discovering emerging businesses that are focused on innovating and shaping the future of the garden and pet industries. The fund is a key priority in the company\u2019s new \u2018Central to Home\u2019 strategy, which was unveiled today at Central\u2019s first Investor Day<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

\n\u201cAt Central Garden & Pet, we know we must always be looking ahead and investing in the leaders and ideas of tomorrow to ensure we are positioned to drive the future of our industries,\u201d said Tim Cofer, CEO of Central. \u201cOur new \u2018Central to Home\u2019 strategy includes a renewed focus in venture that will bring exciting new products and capabilities into the organization. Additionally, we’re looking forward to teaming up with great businesses and leaders and leveraging our capabilities to help them unlock their full potential.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\nCentral Ventures is built on the foundation that was created over the past five years, which has led to the company\u2019s current venture investments in successful, rising businesses like Casco Pet, Lucy Pet and Back to the Roots. The team will be led by the company\u2019s new President of Corporate Development, Jon Balousek.\n<\/p>\n

\n\u201cWe are excited to bring together an ecosystem of Central\u2019s expertise, retail relationships and external entrepreneurs to drive innovation and growth,\u201d said Balousek. \u201cWe believe our deep history of growing through acquisitions, rooted in an entrepreneur-friendly culture is ideal for creating winning partnerships.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\nCentral Ventures will focus on early-stage North American companies driving change and new thinking in Sustainability, Health & Wellness and Digitally Connected Products and Services. Companies backed by the fund will have access to Central\u2019s leading go-to-market capabilities, resources, and guidance to help take their businesses to the next level. Typical investments will range between $250 thousand and $2.0 million initially, with reserves for follow-on investments.\n<\/p>\n

\nFor more information, please visit www.centralventures.com<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

About Central Garden & Pet<\/b><\/p>\n

\nCentral Garden & Pet (NASDAQ: CENT, CENTA) understands that home is central to life and has proudly nurtured happy and healthy homes for over 40 years. With 2020 sales of $2.7 billion, Central is on a mission to lead the future of the pet and garden industries. The Company\u2019s innovative and trusted products are dedicated to help lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier and communities grow stronger. Central is home to a leading portfolio of more than 65 high-quality brands including Pennington, Nylabone, Kaytee, Amdro and Aqueon, strong manufacturing and distribution capabilities and a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture. Central Garden & Pet is based in Walnut Creek, California and has over 6,300 employees across North America and Europe. For additional information about Central, please visit the Company\u2019s website at www.central.com<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

Safe Harbor Statement<\/b><\/p>\n

\n\u201cSafe Harbor\u201d Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The statements contained in this release which are not historical facts, including expectations for increased investment levels to drive capacity expansion, brand building and e-commerce, increases in labor and freight cost as well as key commodities, in addition to resuming more normal levels of travel and entertainment and promotional activity and their impact on future growth, and earnings guidance for the full fiscal 2021 are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in or implied by forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based upon the Company\u2019s current expectations and various assumptions. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this release including, but not limited to, the following factors:\n<\/p>\n